An Interesting Story About Creativity.
Shortly after partition of India, the city of Chandigarh was under construction by the French architect Le Corbusier. The city was to become joint seat for the capitals of two north Indian states Punjab and Haryana.
A man named Nekchand Saini gets a job as a road inspector in the city. Every evening instead of going home after work , he would reach a deserted part of woods near the Lake Sukhna. This forested part was government land. Nekchand cleared a part of the forest and gathered here bangles, bottles, broken plates, broken bathroom fittings and electrical fittings and other materials from garbage dumps. He used them to create sculptors of kings, queens, dancers, musicians, snake charmers horses and birds among other things. He kept creating all this , without respite, for 18 long years and turned heaps of garbage into a beautiful garden, which is now widely known as “Rock Garden.”
Thus creativity is in man’s thought.
What Is This Thing Called Creativity.
“Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible or physical object.” (Wikipedia)
When we participate in some creative activity time stands still, mind is freed up, and a screen appears in mind where our subconscious thoughts are about to get embossed upon. This is when we find answers to many of our questions and solutions to our situations.
Every creation demands passion and total surrender in its pursuit. It leaves a writer, painter, sculptor, programmer, engineer, or whatever as a creator he is; completely lost in this process called “creation.”
A creation happens when whole heart, soul and mind begin to sing and dance for it. It is a state of complete freedom – physically and mentally. Conscious mind hinders creativity. Pablo Picasso has put it in another way when he says, “the chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” And surely there would be such rythmic conditioning of heart, mind and soul when Archimedes found his ‘Eureka moment’, Newton found his ‘Theory Of Gravity’ and Michelangelo turned stones in to ‘flesh’ and imbued his painted figures with’ energy.’
It is really hard for a sculptor to bring the perfect figure out of the block into which it is potentially present. But by sinking and loosing himself completely in his work he precipitates his thoughts in to a tangible and physical entity. Stepping into a creative work is almost like stepping into your bliss.
How To Be Creative.
- Start Writing Your Mind.
Tony Morrison says, “You sit calm on your chair and words begin wandering in your mind.” A fresh sheet of paper, pencil, and calm mind will produce such a work ,that will amaze you that you have created this! Additionally you will feel, got ridden of your worries, for the entire session of your writing. What do you say, isn’t it healing too?
- Discover New Places.
Novel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore used to move to forests and mountains to reenergize himself. It is said that moving to new places and new environments helps increase the intellectual longevity and cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the mind’s ability to jump between different ideas, a key component of creativity. New sounds, smells, and engaging with local population and their culture, revitalize the mind and gives substantial boost to creativity.
- Preserve Child In You.
Children are willing to go in any direction with their creativity. Acquire this mentality. This will keep you easy and flexible in your attitude towards accepting variety of tasks in a stride.
- Preserve Sense Of Humor And Have Fun.
A laugh can bring you closer to the moments of inspiration and creativity. Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Having fun makes you relaxed of your routine tiredness and lets the creativity flow.
- Take Regular Exercises.
Taking exercises regularly improves your thought spectrum, and makes you zealous and full of enthusiasm towards your work.
- Listen To Music.
Music calms your nerves. Ambient music can help you bring closer to a mindset, full of creative ideas. The famous dramatist of English literature George Bernard Shaw was very much influenced with Opera music which he inherited from his mother. He used to introduce subjects in a manner, like a composer brings in one melody after another and soon the various subjects are woven together; which interests the viewers intellectually and pleases them artistically. Thus his love for music vigorously contributed to add flavour to his works and creation.
- Keep In Touch With Creative People.
Having a good circle of creative people enhances your brain muscles, keeps them young, boosts vocabulary and overall cognitive ability.
So, keep learning , stay positive and be creative!