Full-Blast Living

Why should anyone be interested in creativity? The answer is simple. Creativity is the physical manifestation of human ingenuity and pursuing it is pleasurable, exciting, and fun. Additionally, participating in creative projects can make human creators feel more alive and productive. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, an eminent researcher in creativity, says, “Of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives. Call it full-blast living.”[1]

History has recorded evidence that humans have long been creative and that ancient civilizations had the ability to solve problems imaginatively. However, the sages of ancient times believed that the gods bestowed creative ability only on chosen individuals. Since creativity was shrouded in mystery and was deemed a gift from the muses,[2] individuals in past eras, and even some individuals in present times, consider creativity to be a capacity that is available to only a few.

In reality, all individuals have the capacity to be creative, and anyone who is willing to learn how to activate, develop, and sustain creative processes and habits can develop creative abilities. While there is no tried and true roadmap to creative outcomes, simply knowing that the capacity to be creative is available should encourage individuals to search out their creative abilities and nurture them.

[1] M. Csikszentmihalyi, “The Creative Personality,” Psychology Today (July/August, 1996): 36.

[2] T. I. Lubart, “Creativity” in Thinking and Problem Solving, 2nd ed., ed. R. J. Sternberg (San Diego CA: Academic Press, 1994), 289-332.