Stimulating the Creativity Spark Within You
All human beings are born with the seeds of creative genius within them. Some manage to cultivate those seeds and allow them to prosper while others fail to ignite the spark. Different reasons have been given for this but one that I have heard mentioned a couple of times is the education system. I’ve heard a number of public speakers say that all children are usually creative geniuses but once they go to school, their creativity starts to dwindle. Walter Karp has defined the public school system by saying: “Usually a twelve year sentence of mind control. Crushing creativity, smashing individualism, encouraging collectivism and compromise, destroying the exercise of intellectual inquiry, twisting it instead into meek subservience to authority.”
If we are going to stimulate the creativity spark within us we have to find something that allows us to harness our minds and use our mental powers to discover new ways of seeing and doing things. The problem with the schooling system is that it encourages us to think how other people think (herd-think), learn how other people have done things (become cheap copies) and embrace what has already been developed in society (mindless acceptance). Stimulating the creative genius within you demands that you ask the question ‘Why?”. Why do what has always been done? Why think how others have always thought? Why embrace what has already been developed?
Stimulate your creativity spark. Having a solid vision of what you want is essential because it allows you to think big and think deeply. Do not shy from problems and challenges. Approach them with the confidence that you can solve them. Be inquisitive about life and the challenges before you. Follow your hunches. If you feel like theirs an answer, there definitely is one. Uncover it. Trust that you have what it takes to solve any issues that come your way. Master the tasks that you have at hand. In-depth knowledge of something unleashes the spirit of creativity. Stimulate the creativity spark within you.
Thank you for the comment on my blog.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post, though it was through school that I started to harness my ability to write. However, in University, I find that I am actually losing my inspiration and motivation to write pieces.
In my opinion, majority of schools are tools in order to train young people into slaves of the Government so that they are able to tax them when they get jobs in future. In the end, the population is only working under the Government, supporting them but not reaping any real benefit.
Comment by tsukitenshi — September 30, 2007 @ 11:13 am
You raise some interesting observations. My opinion is that the school system’s failure (in terms of developing creativity) is that it teaches us that we learn by closing our minds. Natural learning - the way we all learn as little kids growing up, is entirely open. We don’t close our minds to anything but we embrace learning in a bigger way. School tells us “Cram this”, “Memorize this”, etc. Creative learning emphasizes exploring and curiosity about the world. School says, “Keep quiet”, “Don’t touch this”, “Sit down”, etc. Natural creative learning says, “Speak up”, “Touch this”, “Voice your opinion”.
Comment by Herman Najoli — September 30, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Indeed school is a system which closes people’s minds. While they do teach us many things which will help us survive in the modern day world where what matters most seems to be the amount of money in your bank account, they restrict students from expanding their creativity.
I think holding onto the childlike qualities of seeing the world with open eyes in a wondrous thing which many of us lose as we mature over the years. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to keep your eyes open as there are many negative things that affect and play part in life, giving you the incentive to narrow your gaze just a little bit each time so it won’t hurt as much.
I do believe that everyone is born with a talent - God makes us unique and special in his own way but whether we discover and harness this talent is a long and complicated road. However, once you discover your talent, it is a million times better than a pot of gold, for that material wealth can be easily diminished while talent is something that you will have with you all your life and it will only continue to grow as you nurture it.
Comment by tsukitenshi — October 1, 2007 @ 2:39 am
Excellent post. Our education system simply decimates the creativity of young children and teaches them that individuality is both unnecessary and disruptive. Walter Karp’s description is an apt one.
Comment by PA_Lady — October 2, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Thanks for your comment on the Clutter Control Freak Blog and for leaving a link to your blog. It’s very inspirational. I’ll be adding you to my Google Reader.
I home-schooled my three children through the 8th grade and I believe it made a great deal of difference in how they look at the world. My husband and I have always taught them to nurture their creativity and to think outside the box. All three of our kids are exceptionally talented artistically and musically and are exploring ways to make it a part of their everyday lives and be financially successful with it. That creative spark was nurtured and not lost!
Comment by Eva Wallace — October 3, 2007 @ 10:48 am
I find your post interesting. However, I’ll have to disagree somewhat.
First, I think blaming the school system is an easy cop-out answer.
Human beings are notorious for not wanting to take responsibility.
Generally speaking if a person is able to shift the blame/onus onto another’s shoulders it makes it easier for them to walk away and not get involved. It’s the “I didn’t break it so why should I fix it” scenario.
That being said, yes I agree the school system is lacking but a system be it government or school is only as good as the people involved in it.
You said and I’ll quote: “The problem with the schooling system is that it encourages us to think how other people think (herd-think), learn how other people have done things (become cheap copies) and embrace what has already been developed in society (mindless acceptance).”
I’d like to argue that if children are not taught what has come before, what the masses think, how things have been done before, then how are they to become creative?
Revolution often occurs in societies, where one person steps aside from the masses, if the masses didn’t exist (and they always will regardless of what we do), then how would that person be able to differentiate.
School isn’t the problem, it provides children with social interaction opportunities, the chance to learn for themselves what other people are like and helps them to flesh out who they want to become in life.
If there is no evil how can you understand good. If there is no black then how do you contrast color.
Creativity is personal and can’t be completely assisted or hindered by society or the school system. It is a personal choice and takes strength of character to reach.
Comment by Amanda — October 8, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Amanda you bring up some interesting thoughts. Every systems has it’s merits and demerits. My purpose on this post was to highlight an aspect of learning - creativity - that is not being handled well by most school systems. School, by itself, has more advantages than disadvantages. I particularly like what you said. The need for social interaction opportunities and the fact that creativity is nurtured in the context of past accomplishments. Maybe I should have clarified the need for originality because public school tends to produce more of the same rather than new thinking. Higher education, on the other hand, encourages new thinking but few students capitalize on that. It goes back to the idea of taking responsibility for one’s own learning. Brilliant comment. Keep reading.
Comment by Herman Najoli — October 8, 2007 @ 8:33 am
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Stimulate your creativity spark. Having a solid vision of what you want is essential because it allows you to think big and think deeply. Do not shy from problems and challenges. Approach them with the confidence that you can solve them. Be inquisitive about life and the challenges before you. Follow your hunches. If you feel like theirs an answer, there definitely is one. Uncover it. Trust that you have what it takes to solve any issues that come your way. Master the tasks that you have at hand. In-depth knowledge of something unleashes the spirit of creativity. Stimulate the creativity spark within you. ”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
Comment by chiz — March 3, 2008 @ 10:02 am