Creativity – We need more of it!

Creativity is everywhere – we need more of it. Sir Ken Robinson, a noted British educational critic,  thinks that as a society, we waste creativity systematically. His belief is that we boil the creativity out of people as children. In school. We literally punish them for straying outside the lines, when outside the lines is the very place where creativity lives. Creativity helps develop skills that allow us to problem solve and think critically. Without imagination – which is the process that gives creativity life – how many problems would remain unresolved? There is even a cliché about coming up with creative solutions.  Labels are also a system that is stifling creativity. Let me share this story by Sir Robinson as told by Dr. Larry Johnson during a 2007 speech entitled “Why Creativity Matters.” 

Meaningful Time with my Son Through Creativity

Almost a week has past since my last posting. This is not exactly the fresh start I had envisioned. I do  not think I could have ever anticipated the intensity this new year would bring, just a mere nine days in. At least I can proudly say that the past few days have been quite the opposite of the first four. My son has really been feeling well and very active. It has been such an amazing opportunity to engage with him. He has been playful and loving, full of laughs and smiles. While it made it difficult to stay focused on my commitment to myself to be more creative this year it was certainly a worthy reason. In reflecting on this though, in a sense though I was still being creative. I was creating a more cohesive, loving and intense bond with my son. We created new ways to play and communicate. We recognized and developed new skills while strengthening old ones.  I followed him around the house – over and over – as he is still mastering the art of walking. I was able to look at things from his eyes, his discoveries he made. It was incredible and it opened my eyes.