Carl Dister and Naja Yazbek at a Friday evening poetry gathering
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” -Albert Einstein
If you spend time with small children you know that they are fearless with creative activities. Give them crayons and they will scribble. Give them space and they will spin. Give them quiet and they will sing. They embrace the freedom to explore and express ideas without judging the outcome. They are satisfied simply by staying in the moment exercising their creativity.
We adults can learn from these littles. Often, we shy away from creative activities believing that we cannot do them, when actually we can, but believe that we cannot do them well enough to produce something that will satisfy us. Of course, doing anything well takes practice, but there is much to gain from practicing creativity itself. We adults would do well to shift the focus of creativity from the product to the process.
Engaging in creativity offers many benefits. It challenges the brain to operate at high levels of functioning. It helps to recall memories and manage emotions. It inspires socialization. It reduces stress and increases play. All of these are outcomes worthy of our pursuit.
Centering Space regularly offers opportunities to practice creativity. You might drum in a drum circle, perform an original poem, take pictures on a nature walk, practice journaling, create something with fibers, beautify the garden grounds, etc. Check out the latest Centering Space schedule to find ways to flex your creativity. Choose a modality that is familiar to you or try something new. Like a young person, be fearless and have fun – your mind, body and spirit will thank you. Trust the process.
