This came on the heels of a conversation I've been having with a songwriting friend about Christian art and beauty—so good! Pinning so many things from this on my wall...
Also, I appreciate you noting that creativity isn't "artsy" but it's connecting dots. For a while, I kind of cornered myself thinking that to be creative I had to be original—to be me, I couldn't sound like or say what had been said before. Then I really got into reading C.S. Lewis and realized how little he said was original...he just repackaged old ideas in an original package, Jack's voice. Blew my mind. Make me think of Csikszentmihalyi: "Most breakthroughs are based on linking information that usually is not thought of as related. Integration, synthesis both across and within domains, is the norm rather than the exception."
Realizing that to be creative is just making connections that haven't been made before, that are unique to your perspective, or are just rephrased in your voice has helped unlocked so much creative energy for me.
I wonder where the cultural lie comes from that creativity belongs to left-brainers and artists, and if you're not Picasso you're not creative. Or that disciplines (math, music, metaphysics, etc.) are disconnected. I'm reading L'Engle's wonderful book "Walking on Water": "Creativity is a way of living life, no matter what our vocation, or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts."
I had the same reaction, Jonah. At first I thought, I need to be more creative. But I appreciate, Dave Boden, the new perspective. I see that I am creating all the time in all sorts of ways and directions. I will look at my role in creativity differently now (and strive to be more creative 😉.)
Brilliant article, Dave. I love your capacity to articulate so well what you are encouraging us to do. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kleer, and will pass on to others. Well done.
I really enjoyed your post and hearing your thoughts on creativity. Your story about your school project resonated with me. A lot of my creativity is in helping run outreach events in our church. I love getting a new idea and running with it, it seems to be a gift God is using to help us do events that seem to attract our local families. Interestingly someone in church gave me your book 'Like or Follow' for my teenagers. My eldest is called Micah! He loves writing stories and running with projects so I think there is something in that spiritual DNA!
Thanks for sharing this! Creativity is such a powerful tool to reach people with the good news about Jesus. Keep going! Who wants to live inside the box anyway! Go Micah's!!!!!
Great post, Dave. As fellow a creative one of my passions is helping those who don’t profess to being creative to think again. I remind them that they are creative by default; they are made in the image of the Creator. Also, good to hear about your aspiration to be a cartoonist. A worthy calling !😊
This came on the heels of a conversation I've been having with a songwriting friend about Christian art and beauty—so good! Pinning so many things from this on my wall...
Also, I appreciate you noting that creativity isn't "artsy" but it's connecting dots. For a while, I kind of cornered myself thinking that to be creative I had to be original—to be me, I couldn't sound like or say what had been said before. Then I really got into reading C.S. Lewis and realized how little he said was original...he just repackaged old ideas in an original package, Jack's voice. Blew my mind. Make me think of Csikszentmihalyi: "Most breakthroughs are based on linking information that usually is not thought of as related. Integration, synthesis both across and within domains, is the norm rather than the exception."
Realizing that to be creative is just making connections that haven't been made before, that are unique to your perspective, or are just rephrased in your voice has helped unlocked so much creative energy for me.
I wonder where the cultural lie comes from that creativity belongs to left-brainers and artists, and if you're not Picasso you're not creative. Or that disciplines (math, music, metaphysics, etc.) are disconnected. I'm reading L'Engle's wonderful book "Walking on Water": "Creativity is a way of living life, no matter what our vocation, or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts."
This is so interesting! Creativity is definitely an approach more than just an activity. Keeping finding dots where there aren't any!!!
I had the same reaction, Jonah. At first I thought, I need to be more creative. But I appreciate, Dave Boden, the new perspective. I see that I am creating all the time in all sorts of ways and directions. I will look at my role in creativity differently now (and strive to be more creative 😉.)
This is fantastic to hear! 🙌
I LOVE all of this - your innate yet practiced creativity is an inspiration x
That’s a cool way of describing it - “innate yet practiced.”
Brilliant article, Dave. I love your capacity to articulate so well what you are encouraging us to do. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kleer, and will pass on to others. Well done.
Thanks so much for reading! I hear stories constantly about the impact of Kleer Series on young people even after 8 years!
I really enjoyed your post and hearing your thoughts on creativity. Your story about your school project resonated with me. A lot of my creativity is in helping run outreach events in our church. I love getting a new idea and running with it, it seems to be a gift God is using to help us do events that seem to attract our local families. Interestingly someone in church gave me your book 'Like or Follow' for my teenagers. My eldest is called Micah! He loves writing stories and running with projects so I think there is something in that spiritual DNA!
Thanks for sharing this! Creativity is such a powerful tool to reach people with the good news about Jesus. Keep going! Who wants to live inside the box anyway! Go Micah's!!!!!
Great post, Dave. As fellow a creative one of my passions is helping those who don’t profess to being creative to think again. I remind them that they are creative by default; they are made in the image of the Creator. Also, good to hear about your aspiration to be a cartoonist. A worthy calling !😊
Thanks Andy! It is in all of us isn't it! My son's cartoons are so similar to mine it is crazy!
I think your readership would love to see your cartoons, Dave😊
I need to draw some more!!!