It’s funny about creativity. In the last years I have had
many people call me extremely creative. I never thought of myself in this way.
Much at all. Besides some out of the box thinking and some creative brainstorming
I do not associate this word with myself.
But it has been said of me many a time.
The last incident was in a 5 day leadership course I took
in Boston. The first day all 30 participants have to choose one adjective to describe
you on a piece of paper based on very first impressions and as you walked in
the room and introduced yourself. After 5 days they had to choose one word as
they knew you more deeply as a deep and personal course.
1st day two adjectives for me? Self assured. Intelligent.
2nd day two adjectives for me? Creative . Emotionally
Intelligent
At work and on performance appraisals it is always “out
of box thinker, creative, innovative.I doubt my friends and family would describe
me in these ways at all
But I think there is truth to it-I have a whole lot of creativity
locked up inside of me waiting to flow. There never seems time enough for this
expression. Never time for this part to fully emerge.
A few months ago I was looking at poems I had written and
photographs I have taken. The poems very..Poetic I guess and the pictures very
creative. Not my standards close ups of my kids…which can be really good. But
flowers in the rain….a cup of tea..a half opened beer…a vodka martini with the
olives….a storm brewing. Underwear hanging on the clothesline. A phone about to
ring. Beautiful imagery actually. I
impressed myself.
And imagery and words has a deep effect on me when
combined in the proper way. I read quite a few blogs now and I realize what
really touches me: Imagery with words. Give it music and I am often brought to
tears.
Katrina Kenison’s blog always starts with a picture and
it is rarely a picture of a person but a symbol of her expression. Versus a
blog I read today of a million trillion pictures of a boy playing volleyball
and I lose interest in the pics almost instantaneously. Symbolism appeals to me
. A whole lot. In the same box also found many videos I made to music. And
beautiful letters I had written people never sent.
A box in the basement on a high shelf marked “Creativity”-doesn’t
count for much does it?
So why don’t I use it more? Allow that private creative
outlet into the public sphere? I honestly don’t know…because I have tons of it
in me. Combining music and photos and words…but for some reason have not
accessed it in myself fully. When reading Katrina’s blog it inspired me to keep
my eyes more open in the world and photograph different forms of beauty…or put
the beauty or words to music.
Why is it that at this stage of life stuff like doing
laundry, making beds, gardening, photographs, writing, are coming to the surface
more? And it seems to be the case for everyone over 40 I know!!! (along with irregular
periods and less interest in sex!!!!)
Gosh if Only I were retired!! I would have so much time
for this stuff and energy. (and would probably bore myself to tears)
Why is this? Couldn’t we have had these “hobbies” when we
had more time. Like in highschool? I don’t have time for hobbies now!
Anyways I liked the word “creative” being linked to me by
so many people. It is especially prevalent in my professional life. It’s a
compliment..and an area of myself I need to explore more.
If I wasn’t so lazy I would sort through my box and add a
nice picture I took last Fall to this blog. That being said I can’t get off my
lazy ass and find the time!
