“Tell me,” says poet Mary Oliver, “what will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
Creativity is your stamp, your personal thumbprint, your special contribution. Whether you apply it musically, orally, mathematically, environmentally, linguistically, athletically, spiritually, or visually, you make the difference that nobody else can make.
What you do is secondary to how you do it. If you come from a place of originality and imagination, your work will show it. If you come from a place of bored monotone, you work will suffer...and so will you. Although you may live with a regular routine, you don’t have to do things the same way each day. You are endowed with creative capability and innovative inspiration. You can solve problems, make improvements, and share your unique flare. If you don’t, stagnant energy pools in the brain and festers.
No matter how stale the scenario, it is entirely within your means to circulate some fresh ideas. In fact, that which seems rigid is usually more flexible than you think (rigidity exists in your mind, and is then projected outward). When you go about a challenge, dreariness stems not from the task itself but from the mentality you bring to the table. Refresh yourself. Develop a new approach. You can also get your creative juices flowing by drawing your schedule instead of writing it, stirring your coffee backwards, or listening to music.
Take the case of Miles Davis. When he first came to New York in 1944, his goal was to work with Charlie Parker. When the opportunity came, however, he realized that he was out of his element; he was unable to match the blistering speed of his saxophone hero Parker or the rhythmic virtuosity of Dizzy Gillespie. But instead of being daunted by his talented peers, young Miles—resilient and resourceful—was determined to blaze his own trail. He looked within himself to find his own sound, and came up with a distinctive style. By cultivating his own gifts to their fullest, he developed a whole new form of jazz.
There is something that only you can do, a particular tune that only your unique voice can carry.
When you apply yourself creatively, you will: enjoy your time, be more productive, deliver higher-quality work, allow your passions to expand, and have a fulfilling life. Get to it.
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