Recently while working with a client, I began to speak with them about what they wanted to do for themself to express themself creatively. They proceeded to tell me all the ways they were being a good spouse, parent and employee. All of which had nothing to do with their actual creativity, and expression. They were locked into this idea that anything they did creatively needed to be for success/money/fame and couldn’t be directed at their own soul being able to show its true colors or finding enjoyment in the beauty of their life.
This is unfortunately a scenario I have seen play out a lot over the years. Many people get so focused on a life of practicality that they forget they are human. They forget they are alive, and they lock themselves in a box that causes them to only do what is absolutely necessary when in reality that is not how humanity was designed. That is not human.
Each person has a creative side to themselves. Many do get the opportunity to express their creativity through their work and careers. Even if that is the case, they aren’t fully able to express what their soul cries out for because they are making the “art” for someone else.
We all need a creative expression that is simply for ourselves. Whether we decide to share it with anyone else, or keep it locked in our creative chiffonier. Some may choose to journal, doodle, draw, paint, or even write blogs. Others enjoy music & composition, pottery, or sculpting. Some feel the need to take pictures of their work and share on social media or a website, while other just have a secret lair where they go to channel their inspiration and artistry. All are fine. What is not fine, is to have no outlet for creative expression.
Pragmatism lies in the ears of the sensible. It tells them that unless its unwritten and brutal rules are adhered to vehemently, then all will suffer. It tells its victims of good conscience that anything which can be cut, should be. Anything that is superfluous must go as it is taking up important mental and physical real estate that cloudies the space of the practical. But yet, with all of its intense stipulations, pragmatism rarely promises any benefit beyond a vague sense of stability. After all, it reminds its victim, “Disaster can still strike at any moment; and while I help you be as prepared as you can, you could still come to ruin.” It never makes a guarantee – I mean, how pragmatic would it be to promise anything, especially something that it might not be able to deliver on? No, it merely creates an illusion of safety, and drives people toward stoic and utilitarian lifestyles.
But there is another way. Don’t believe the lies, don’t get caught up in the fear. There is another way of perceiving this beautiful, wild, fun, scary, exhilarating and mysterious world we live in. There is another way of drawing out the most of each circumstance we find ourselves in. There is another way of still having basic needs and obligations met & fulfilled, but not turning into robots in the process. It’s called Creativity.