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“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.”—Henry David Thoreau
Imagination springs from nowhere and brings something new to the world—games, art, inventions, stories, solutions. Childhood is particularly identified with this state, perhaps because creativity in adults is considered to be a trait possessed only by the artistic few.
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Nurturing creativity in all its forms recognizes that humans are by nature generative beings. We need to create. The best approach may be to get out of one another’s way and welcome creativity as a life force.
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If we are familiar with the process that takes us from vision to expression, we have the tools to use creativity throughout our lives. When we welcome the exuberance young children demonstrate as they dance around the room, talk to invisible friends, sing in the bathtub, and play made-up games we validate the importance of imagination.
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When we encourage teens to leave room in their schedules for music or game design or skateboarding or whatever calls to them, we honor their need for self-expression. Young people who are comfortable with creativity can apply the same innovative mindset to their adult lives.
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Creativity is necessary when dealing with an architectural dilemma, new recipe, marketing campaign, environmental solution, or personal relationship. In fact, it’s essential.
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Imagination and inspiration have fueled human progress throughout time. Creative powers have brought us marvels and continue to expand the boundaries. The energy underlying the creative act is life-sustaining and honors the work of others.
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But there’s a caveat. Creativity isn’t always positive, visionaries aren’t always compassionate, and progress isn’t always beneficial. After all, a clever mind is required to craft a conspiracy as well as to negotiate a peace accord.
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Creativity is a life force when it arises as a healing impulse, as a truth-telling impulse, as an impulse to approach mystery.
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Tomorrow’s possibilities call out to our inventive, imaginative selves. Let’s answer.
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Laura Grace Weldon 
Beautiful post, as always, Laura!
I have something of an aside. When I read your article, given my personal lexicon, if I substitute the word “playfulness” for “creativity,” it seems to say basically the same thing. Except, for me, it sounds a tad more, well, liberating to think of it as playfulness. Maybe because playfulness doesn’t have the reputation that creativity has earned. After all, playfulness is what we do for fun. Creativity, I think, may be more about making things: making art, you know. While playfulness, maybe you get something. Maybe all you get is fun.
Thoughts welcome. As always.
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My esteemed friend, you’re entirely right. What’s interesting is if I substitute “playfulness” for “creativity” in this piece it works in every positive reference but it doesn’t work to describe something negative like a conspiracy. Which truly makes “playfulness” the generative life force it is. This, again, proves the point you made so well in your book A Playful Path.
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What a visual treat! Thank you. I appreciate Bernie’s point. It’s a little like how I distinguish between ‘poetry’ and ‘wordplay.’ It IS, all of it FUN!!!
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What I love best about homeschooling is that there’s no need to “make room” for creativity, it can imbue all that you do, it can become the whole schedule.
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