Like laughter, creativity is contagious. There’s nothing like mixing with creative people to nurture
your own creativity. Jenny Hare, writer of Unlock
Your Creativity, explains, “[Mixing with
creative people] is a kind of alchemy – as though your creative souls sparkle
in the air separately at first as you recognize a common creative flair, and
then are magnetized to each other and dance together for a while. Ideas flow
and you both feel uplifted and energized, and when you part you look forward
eagerly to riding on the wave of creativity you’ve mutually started.”
It sound very lofty at first as you read this, but when you really have found
like-minded people that you long to be with, you just can’t wait to come back to
“dance together” again.
Even though I love to
hangout alone talking to myself (it’s a real fun way to discover deep hidden
thoughts inside my head), I understand that I also need to mix with people,
especially with like-minded creative people. For example, I once attended a
motivational talk seminars by Dr. Peter Chee, president and CEO of ITD world,
at Damansara. The attendees are a diverse community of bright, caring,
supportive, open-minded people who are generous with their time, their
learning, and their attention. It's also a great group of creative people. We had
teachers, artists, university students, business people, nurses, pharmacists, author
and a retiree. We were like-minded in a way that we are hunger for success in
life and pursuit for continuous learning. I was struck by how simply spending
time with people in a variety of other creative endeavours re-sparked my own
creative juices. I found myself being more curious, more open, more optimistic,
more interested and more interesting – all as a result of attending the seminar
and interacting with like-minded creative people.
One of the basic tenets of
creativity is to do things differently, and to do different things. So if you
need to reignite your creativity, do something completely new. A simply broadening your horizons by mixing
with like-minded creative people will also broaden your mind. Thus, try
something new today. Here are my suggestions. Look for communities within the things you liked to do. Ask
your friends or check Facebook groups
(social media are great tools to find community). You will make numerous
friends and strong connections from these communities. Meet people at different places such as conferences,
seminars, talks or class. If you’re an activist like my colleague, then join
the peaceful rally. If you love to make
a difference in your community, join others to volunteer for something others
might find intimidating; homeless assistance or elder care for
example. You will meet people who are made of sterner stuff, and you might just
learn some more about yourself. When I say mixing with like-minded people it doesn’t mean that they have to have a dozen
of common hobbies or interests like you, but one or two will do. Share ideas,
having fun together and mutual encouragements is the point.
“Meeting with other
creative people in a mutually encouraging atmosphere is a great tonic
for your soul as well as
your creativity” (Jenny Hare)
Plus, mixing with like-minded creative people also can
effects your happiness,
inspirations and sense of belonging.
God, Give Us
Today Our Daily Idea(s)
