I've been thinking a lot about creativity today. It started with my painting and was fueled by some Instagram stalking of a few random people at my school. I'm easily distracted, so while learning all 44 United State's Presidents with this cool story trick, I began scrolling through random profiles and instead of being bored with pictures of feet and super-edited cityscapes I tried to think about why this person had posted this. Was it for attention or was it to share the feeling that had come to them in that moment? I began to wonder if what we 'share' with the world verbally, physically, or digitally is just another aspect of creativity. I also found some really amazing pieces of art and design skills while scrolling and I compared them to pictures of friends and muffins. Did making that piece of art,like I did this morning, have feelings comparable to how those people felt with their friends or their accomplishment over making actual food? Later in the day I was on the phone with my Grandpa(it was his birthday- Happy Birthday!) and he had been working on a renovating my grandparent's house in Oregon and I had been telling him about the little random things I'd done today,when he said, "Well people have to do something each day to make it seem worthwhile."
Explain to me this: Is making a painting more worthwhile then making a memory with family or friends? In this situation, you could say no- chances are my painting is not going to change the world of art. What if I ask: Is doing charity work more worthwhile then making a memory with family or friends? Does your answer change? If it does, then why? Many would argue that the charity work is helping more people and is unselfish, but what if it's the last time you can see a member of your family? Now does that change things? What people choose to do with their lives, whether it's making muffins and posting them on the internet, whether it's hanging out with your best friend, or whether it's helping the world should not be judged on the first layer of information. Every outlet of living is creativity and there is almost always more then what meets the eye.
I feel down about myself when I do nothing. When I sit at home and do not stoke the fire that is my life, but at that moment it is what I wanted. I'm focusing on being a better me. A me that does not look at someone and see the lack of achievement, but instead sees the little things they have done and the potential in them to do, to create. I want to apply this to myself. I wrote, "Be a Better Me, " on a Post-It the other day. That is exactly what I want to do. I don't want people to jump up and say, "You are such a great you now though!" Sure, I guess I'm okay but I could be better, I could be smarter, nicer, less judgmental, or fitter. However, so could a lot of people. I want to view myself and others as worthwhile and notice them for their creativity and potential, not for the little they have done that I can see. Everyone has a story, everyone has dreams,and everyone has creativity that is valuable to mankind, no matter how grand or seemingly unimpressive. Jewel.
