In San Diego on business - really!

Some pics at my friend Jacqui's house outside of San Diego.

Expanding possibilities - from our course readings

I do like Weston’s definition of creativity (from our reading in Creativity for Critical Thinkers). He defines it as, “the art of expanding possibilities” (Preface vi). That is a definition I can embrace. Although I like to think of creativity as being something magical, I now see how one can develop the skill. From this reading I can also see that creativity is important for critical thinkers. I haven’t done so well on the exercises the author used in this book – BUT – they have certainly opened up my thought processes.

The readings made it clear that I need to be aware of other options available as I was prone to try to solve problems according to conventional thinking. I did NOT ask myself – what about other options. Or, if I did, I didn’t find the magic way out of the situation. The idea of “thinking outside the box” sounds like such a cliché, but we don’t realize how stuck we really are until we are called upon to solve a problem that does not conform to what we already know. Leadership is not about power; I can now see that it is about rising to the challenge in trying times, and having the ability to take a creative approach to these challenges.  

Weston also challenges us to view problems as opportunities. I am still working on the creative activities in Creativity for Critical Thinkers, but will post them once I have completed anything that is noteworthy. Right now I’m still digesting “The Need For A Method” and “Inviting Exotic Associations.” The random prompts suggested by the author seemed a bit silly at first, but with further reading, I see how this works. I will experiment with this and – hopefully – have something positive to report!

Creativity for Critical Thinkers

Anthony Weston

Oxford University Press: New York, 2007

I Dreamed a Dream - Susan Boyle

This link is for Susan Boyle's audition on Britain's Got Talent. I never watch TV shows like this, but her story was a great inspiration to me. What joy it was to see someone's dream come true!

http://youtu.be/RxPZh4AnWyk

Thoughts on Creativity

My personal thoughts on creativity…

It feels like magic when you use it

            It’s like adding color, sound, and animation to all you do

            It’s like eating whipped cream right out of the container

Creativity helps you find the joy in every single little thing

Creativity lets in the mystical, and the spiritual  

            It’s like following the yellow brick road

It’s like breathing life into every particle, every fiber

            It thrives within an open, relaxed mind

It thrives on all that is positive

It needs space to grow, and a safe environment for experimentation

Being creative is fun and invigorating

Being creative makes me feel I’ve really accomplished something

Being creative makes me feel like I’ve found something deep inside of me

Creative ideas make the world go ‘round

Creative people are more fun to know

Creative people are problem solvers

Creativity thrives when we are not bound by rules, conventions

Creativity gives us freedom to explore

Even the smallest or most trivial idea can be a seed to creativity

Creativity has endless possibilities

Creativity is a process

We are all creative people

Michelangelo's Moment of Creation

This image has been an inspiration to me when I've needed to be creative. All it takes is a spark...