What Does Creativity Bring To Your Life?

In my 2004 e-book, the Creativity Interviews, I asked 7 questions about the creative process to 19 creative artists from a variety of disciplines. nnOne of these questions was "what does creativity bring to your life?"nnAs I'm looking through the answers with new eyes, themes start to pop up in front of me. As you read through these broad themes, and the actual phrases spoken by the artists in the book, consider which ones you identify with most.nnCreativity brings adventure, affects my whole life and what's "out there"nnArtist spoke of a sense of "exploration", "spontaneity" and "adventure", and that their creativity "brings life to whatever I'm doing". They felt the effects of their creativity on other parts of their life, giving them "unique problem solving opportunities" and "energizing my relationships". nnCreativity brings opportunities for self-discovery of what's "in here"nnArtists appreciated the "heightened awareness" and increased ability to "understand myself". nnCreativity brings connections to people, both in and out of my "tribe"nn"I feel I’m part of a tribe of free people" was how one artist expressed this sense of connection and of being understood when they're around other artists. Another artist recognized their creativity as a "gift I can share with others" – fulfilling the desire for connection in a way that's natural and enjoyable for the artist. nnThese are hopeful points, considering how isolated and misunderstood many artists feel.nnCreativity brings a spiritual connectionnnThemes of spirituality such as "gratitude", "purity" and "essence" could be heard in some of the answers from artists. One claimed creativity gives them "a glimpse of the spiritual realm", and another described creativity as "a soulful experience". nnThere was also the idea that creativity brings "a connection to something larger than myself", and "the feeling that I'm 'in the zone', in the flow of life". Many of us connect to our spirituality most easily through being in nature. One artist found that creativity brings a "freedom to recreate what I see in nature". nnI think one artist summed up the link between creativity and spirituality by answering with one word: "wonder".n nCreativity brings an awakening, a jarring, a sense of delicious discomfortnnThough I only heard one answer that fit into this theme – one artist felt that creativity brought a "discontinuity" to their life – I included it because it really interested me. nnWhat about those moments of torment – before the dissonant chord resolves itself, before the elements and colours of a painting "come together", before the ideas for a story or article make any sense. nnAnd what about the plain fact that there is ALWAYS something we won't know how to do, always something more to learn, always a creative idea who's execution is out of our reach because our skills haven't caught up to it yet. Is that partly what keeps us going? nnCreativity brings a return to home, a "normalcy"nn"Creativity IS my life" and "creativity is unavoidable". For one artist, creativity is "a reason to live", and for another "it helps me live". Creativity is what we know, and when we're expressing it our TRUE selves are shining through. As one artist commented, it's a "relief". nnAnother artist noted that creativity often brings "more creativity". Which make perfect sense when you apply the law of attraction – the principle that states that whatever you focus on is what you'll attract into your life. nnCreativity brings a sense of self-worth and identitynnFor the artists I spoke to, creativity brings a "reward", "satisfaction", "pride" and "accomplishment" It contributes to their "self-esteem" and "sense of self and identity". nnFor artists, who often feel so misunderstood and different from other people, creativity provides "a way of explaining myself to the world". Creativity celebrates the fact that we're different, by showing us "a sense of purpose" and "a sense of my uniqueness". nnOne artist said that creativity "puts me in touch with the core and essence of my being".nnCreativity heals mennAs a music therapist, this theme was not surprising to me. Not only are the arts amazing therapeutic tools to use in treatment, creativity can be extremely therapeutic for the person expressing it. nnSome of the therapeutic benefits of creativity that the artists shared with me were "relaxation", "centeredness", "possibility", "hope" and "connection with self". Creativity "lifts me from my sorrows" and is "a way to translate my hopes & feelings."nnCreativity brings happiness, energy and powernnThe "endorphin rush" that one artist described was echoed by many as "joy", "energy, vitality – it’s a rush", "pleasure", "magic", "fullness", "happiness", "passion" and "a high". Creativity is "uplifting & motivating" and gives "the impetus to push further" and "a sense of power". nnWhat does creativity bring to YOUR life? What do you miss the most when you're not actively expressing your creative ideas? What's the first thing you notice that changes in your life when you're in the "creative flow"?nnNaming the gifts of your creativity can help to re-ignite your passion for your creative work and can excite you into courageous action. Thinking about these gifts can also put a mysterious smile on your face while you're traveling through the other parts of your life. nnWhatever you're doing – whether it's taking care of life's little details and obligations or taking care of other people's needs – you can remind yourself that you're one of the lucky ones with access to creativity. You have this incredible source of adventure, self-discovery, connection, spirituality, awakening, normalcy, self-worth, identity, healing, happiness, energy and power.nnThis article originally appeared on the Creativity Portal website in August 2005.nn© Linda Dessau, 2005.