Only real learning is self-discovered, self appropriated.
I have recently fallen deeply back in love with act of creating and this is a little scribbling about embracing the wonderful creative spirit that rests inside everyone.
Creativity is not as hard to harvest as its reputation makes it out to be. It stretches deep; penetrating right down to the inscription in every individuals’ DNA coding. The recipe is simple: just be yourself. The difficult part lies in harvesting the courage to choose to be the individual that you are (quirks & unforgivable parts included). It’s about not playing a game of social hide-and-seek with your own differences, but embracing them. In a society that continually cultivates mimetic practices, belonging, and sameness (even the sameness among differences), it is not surprising that people become shamefully defeated; throwing their individuality gem under the bed, like a dirty sock, hoping nobody lifts up the bed skirt. On a similar thread, acting “different”, simply for the sake of being different, falls under the same crime as well. The questions people continually find themselves asking are: “Do I belong or not?,” “Is this good or not?,” “Is this accepted or not?,” “Is this cool/smart/[insert value here] or not?,” rather than: “Is this right for me?,” “Is this something I value?,” “Is this something I believe?”, “Is this something I envisioned?”. And, most importantly when asking the latter set of questions, not apologizing for your genuine answer. All creativity requires is seeking beyond what culture has already thrown up on you and finding nourishment in whatever sustains, inspires, and moves you. No two eyes ever see exactly the same perspective: the illusion is the sameness not the difference. Don’t cheat yourself out of what you have to offer yourself by living in the shadowy lie of desiring to be or copying someone else. Take up an identity in who you truly are. Genuine creativity is choosing to be you, and what’s more inspiring than that?
