I’ve been Photoshopping my portfolio for an upcoming talk (my first!) I’m giving on Inspiration at a local quilt guild. If you’ve every really gotten into Photoshop, you’ll know it can be one of those deep-focus activities that allows lots of time to think.
As my talk will deal with inspiration, I’ve also been thinking about creativity (my touchstone) since inspiration without creativity doesn’t necessarily produce results or a change. As these thoughts have been organizing themselves in my mind, I’ve contemplated that most people don’t consider themselves the creative type, and much more concerning, they don’t realize they are creating the world around them. No, they’re not creating a product or piece of work, but the hundred little actions taken by each of us every day do shape the world, as well as our perceptions and those of others around us or interacting with us.
For example, if you were envisioning the world you would create for yourself, would it be every man for himself, where no one shows common courtesy, everyone just wants what they want when they want it, wants to get there first, and has no regard for the concerns or rights of others? If you were the rude one in traffic, speeding right along, tailgating, weaving in and out, and cutting other people off, that’s the world you’re creating. If you were the one who got cut off, how did that make you feel? How did it shape your outlook in that moment, or for the next hour, or for the rest of the day? Did you take that for the way of the world and decide to act accordingly? Did you settle for that world?
Not to dwell on the negative, but would your world be dirty, polluted, and degraded? That’s the one you’re creating when you toss that empty drink cup out the car window, or flick your cigarette butt into traffic, or opt to throw that candy wrapper on the sidewalk instead of putting it in a trashcan; no one should assume Mother Nature or anyone else is going to clean up or pickup after them. Unconsciously done or not, these actions are the creative process at work.
On the positive side, would your world be one of consideration, possibilities, collaboration? What day-to-day actions are needed on your part to create that world? The value of “Please,” “Thank-you,” and “You’re welcome” have become greatly underrated these days.
Yes, I’ve been thinking…and considering my own habits. It’s not enough to get frustrated that the thingamabob I need the most right now isn’t anywhere to be found…I’ve got to start putting things away after I use them. Besides the art quilt I come up with, is my creative process creating disarray, clutter, frustration? Is that something I can live with, a world where I can be happy? If so, fine. If not, I’m empowered to create a better world by taking responsibility for my own actions. We’re all empowered; we just have to be conscientious about what we’re doing.
Not content with who you are or what you’re doing? Change it! I have an art quilter friend whose blog I keep up with. She’s always doing something fun, whether that be exploring free motion quilting, practicing some new art/quilting technique, or participating in a boating event. She’s living an adventure, which I think is wonderful, and it’s not because she has time due to retirement – it’s because those are the things she’s making time to do – and in that way she’s creating a life and a world of possibilities. She lives proactively with a willingness to explore and learn. She’s choosing conscientiously -- Inspiring and creative!
Create the world you want to live in. Create a world that makes you happy.
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