How do you express creativity? What squelches it? What inspires it? (Serendipity Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 883).
The
other day at the office my boss gave me a job to do. It was a
somewhat complicated job and to meet it successfully required
creativity. Looking back upon it, several factors made creativity
possible.
First
off, there was a felt need or occasion for it. Creativity did not
arise as a bolt from the blue. Secondly, I had the resources required
for the exercise of creativity. I had the computer and software
needed, and I had knowledge in how to use them. Another necessary
resource is sufficient time to exercise creativity. Thirdly, and this
is very essential, I had the permission to be creative. This took the
form of my boss telling me what I needed to do but allowing broad
parameters in how I was to achieve it. This can in nowise be taken
for granted. Way too often in my opinion the powers that be –
however they are represented – can go into excessive detail and
specificity in how a job is to be accomplished. This can squelch
creativity. Finally to be creative I had to have a measure of
self-confidence and self-discipline. Over time I have developed an
attitude of competence. Needless to say, I did not arrive at this
pass alone. Countless people providing countless opportunities and
moments of love, encouragement and guidance brought me there.
Briefly,
I will apply the above to my creating these blogs. First off, there
is the occasion for them. I am at a certain time in my life when I
wish to share my observations and experiences. Secondly, I have the
resources available that are required to do them including computer, software, the
Internet, time, and ability developed over time. Of course I must
tip my hat to Google who provides blogging space and resources at no
charge. An important resource also is you the reader. Because you
offer an audience and a sense of accountability. I thus have an
added incentive to do my best. Thirdly, I live in a society in which
free expression is highly valued and encouraged. I feel absolutely
free to express opinions on any subject (perhaps excepting sex). This
permission leads to the last requirement for creativity, namely
self-confidence and self-discipline. When sitting at the computer I
must feel confident that I have something to say. But secondly, I
must have the self-discipline to limit my subject to areas where I might have something interesting to say – astrophysics, for
example, not being one of them. And of course the exercise of writing
comes with many “rules and regs” that paradoxically serve not to
squelch but to encourage free speech through provisions for
commonality.
I
wish you the very best today and hope that you are blessed with the
occasion for creativity, with the required resources for creativity,
with abundant permission, and with the self-confidence and
self-discipline required to carry it out. As for occasion, just
remember—the world needs your creative contributions today whoever or wherever you are!!! Creative people of the world,
arise and break free from the repressive chains of boredom.
Lyrics
to Jesus Loves Me
Jesus
loves me! this I know,
For
the Bible tells me so.
Little
ones to Him belong;
they
are weak but He is strong.
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
The
Bible tells me so.
Jesus
loves me! loves me still,
'tho
I'm very weak and ill,
that
I might from sin be free,
bled
and died upon the tree.
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
The
Bible tells me so.
Jesus
loves me! He who died
heaven's
gate to open wide;
He
will wash away my sin,
let
His little child come in.
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
The
Bible tells me so.
Jesus
loves me! He will stay
close
beside me all the way.
Thou
hast bled and died for me,
I
will henceforth live for Thee.
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
The
Bible tells me so.
Jesus
loves me when I'm good.
When
I do the things I should.
Jesus
loves me when I'm bad,
but
it makes him oh so sad.
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
Yes,
Jesus loves me!
The
Bible tells me so.
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