In Genesis 1:27, it is written that God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. The logical sequent of this religious beginning is that if God was creative, so too are we all; albeit differently. Believing in a God as the creator of all things or Charles Darwin’s scientific theory of evolutionary biology is irrelevant in appreciating the intrinsic nature of human creativity.
Human history is testament to the imaginative and innovative endeavours of our species in a myriad of multi-disciplinary activities, reflecting our original and inspirational individuality. Importantly these endeavours demand the dedication, discipline and determination needed to manifest our creativity as meaningful. We all have personal talents, but applying these talents creatively demands self-belief, hard work and routine skills to envisage mundane mediocrity as magical majesty.
Too often, people fail to recognise their innate, creative powers by channelling their energies into production line perspectives devoid of ideas, dreams and fantasies, dismissing original thoughts as a diversion from the main game. Decrying their creativity by denying any artistic inclinations, their success is acclaimed in a social strait-jacket. As British music project Lazyboy states: “Creativity is great, but plagiarism is faster;” no less a copy cat conformity.
The arts purportedly emanate from gifted and naturally endowed elites when we are all creative if time and enthusiasm are invested in exploring the unknown, both of ourselves and our environs.
In science too, creativity is integral in exciting initiatives and development of theories and research to enhance our lives, as well as business and all labour engagements. Our creative capabilities remain intangible until we invoke the opportunity, though our efforts don’t usually translate into fame or fortune. The journey is its own pleasure. The cost can be minimal, involving a creative approach to the way we fashion our hair, don our apparel, enjoy our culinary cuisine and play sport, among others. Inevitably, moments of frustration may confront us, but with positive, patient and passionate purpose, these can be surpassed.
In the book ‘In the Name of Sanity,’ American sociologist, Lewis Mumford, asserted that the world’s destructive potential implored “the artist…to (remind) men of their humanity and the promise of their creativity.”
We must encourage ourselves and others to indulge in creative work and leisure, not for social status or economic prestige, but as homage to our inherent human culture. The reality of human experience affirms an art of living, celebrating faith in the rich potential of creative imaginings beyond conservative conventions whatever our scientific or religious heritage.