Unlocking Your Creativity

An often heard statement is "I'm not creative." That's a cop out. We all have creative potential. Here are some ways to free our creativity:

VISUALIZE. Let your mind roam freely, unbound by scope and timing. If, say, you imagine the sky above made of orange marmalade, go with that. Nothing's impossible in the world of your mind. You rule that world. If your mind wanders to an imaginary, idyllic place, let it wander unchecked by logic.

Logic challenges imagination as well as spirituality. Logic is confined to reality, to theory and the tried and true or, some might say, the tired and true. Logic overlooks that whipped cream, shaving cream and white clouds look alike.

DON'T RELY ON DRUGS OR ALCOHOL FOR INSPIRATION. You can be creative without them. If you need outside sources to stimulate your imagination choose safe and sane alternatives such as music, art, photographs, reading, exercise, etc.

DON'T FEAR REJECTION OR STATIC. Your critics are likely those who suppress their own creativity. People commonly reject and ridicule whom or what they don't recognize or understand. You own yourself and your ideas and should believe in both.

BRAINSTORM. Write or sketch your ideas on paper, lest you forget them. You can then tweak them to your satisfaction.

KEEP A LOG OF YOUR DREAMS WHEN POSSIBLE. Dreams exist for a reason. They can be blueprints for creative marvels. Problem solutions, predictions, inventions, theories and creative works have sprung from dreams. So, take them seriously.

IF YOU'RE IN A RUT CHANGE THE TIME AND PLACE FOR CREATIVITY. If you normally create, say, at a desk in your home at night, then you may want to consider doing so mid-day in the park.

READ REGULARLY AND VARIATE YOUR READING. Read whatever you can find when appropriate. Reading can engage the mind and stimulate the imagination.

OBSERVE WHO AND WHAT'S AROUND YOU. Your first or next invention, problem solution, story, song, painting, poem, etc. may be staring you in the face.

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, EVEN WEIRD. Search for clever, colorful, original ways to express yourself -- legally and without violating other people's rights. Be willing to take the less traveled road. Don't let convention stifle your creativity. Aim to be innovative and not imitative.