Embracing the Canvas

Creativity is key to expressing the individual characteristics that make us unique. Creativity allows people to see the true expanse of our minds. Naturally, creativity is very important. Where would we be if everyone did the same thing over and over again. How many people like broken records? Right, didn't think so. Creativity leads to innovation which leads to improvements in society.

To be completely honest, I would say that the BLF Autumn Quarter challenge presented me with numerous opportunities to be creative. Our group dynamics stimulated play at every one of our meetings. And this ability to let go and let our minds flow led to a great finished product. There were no BAD ideas (well, some were dismissed), and we were able to feed off of each other's proposals. I can genuinely say that I enjoyed our meetings because not only did we tap into our creative potential, but we also made progress and had fun simultaneously.

Going into Friday's workshop at the Columbus Museum of Art, I was deeply immersed in the belief that I was absolutely in no way creative. I don't consider myself artistic in any capacity (except origami), and I'm not generally the person suggesting snappy catchphrases for programs or cool designs for advertisements. I say this because much of my time is consumed by my involvement with student organizations. I also always saw brainstorming and creativity as forced processes that are only practiced for the sake of meeting an end. But, through the activity, my perspective shifted in that I now understand that I CAN have fun while doing work. I find myself constantly separating work from play, which is probably a reason that work/studying seems like such a chore. But, if I can focus on what I enjoy, then maybe, just maybe, I might find more pleasure in my studies and my endeavors. I also enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the activity. I could NEVER have come up with something so abstract and entertaining as my group did if I was flying solo. I have recently challenged myself to learn how to bring out the best in people, and through the activity I recognized that sometimes it's good to just sit back and watch things unfold. One of the most significant things that I gained from the workshop was that I am indeed creative through my elaboration abilities. I elaborate. I enhance. I make things better. I do have something to contribute to idea generation in that I employ my analytical abilities to determine how to make good ideas great- well, that's the goal.

I'm not quite sure if I have figured out how to carry this over into my daily life. I keep myself constantly busy and don't make much time to have fun. So, maybe having more fun while doing work will make life a little brighter. Who knows? I definitely enjoy everything I do, but it's more like it's my duty rather than my passion. One day, I'll find it.

I think the workshop and subsequent dialogue will allow the Fellows to be more receptive of others contributions. Everyone has different roles, but everyone has something to bring to the table. I hope to apply my newly awakened creative abilities to my role on the Marketing Committee during this year's challenge. Again, I'll focus on my elaboration tendencies and we'll see if my creativity capacity expands. Since I had fun during the workshop, maybe I'll have some fun being creative in other ways too.

Since I'm still WORKING on being creative, I have no idea what an autobiography would say. It would probably be blank since I'm the kind of person who doesn't take bite size pieces of big projects. I just wait until the end. Then, I can see how all the parts are interconnected, how this influenced that, and why things are the way they are. The chapter would probably say something about how I was born on December 10, 1990 in Killeen, TX at Ft. Hood Army Base. End of Chapter 1. :)

Roger That.