Creativity: Nurture or Nature?

My 2-year-old expressing her creativity

My 2-year-old expressing her creativity

Creativity—are you born with it, can it be learned, or is it a combination of both?

For the longest time I opted out of calling myself creative.

I’ve always been fascinated with the human body and spent most of my 20s as a science geek, in the lab, conducting research, chasing after my PhD. As far as I was concerned, creative minds belonged to artists, writers, musicians … ie, “fun and spontaneous” people. Nerds like me were labelled analytical, procedural, practical, plus any other “–al” you care to attach.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand or appreciate that success in graduate school required immense creativity. Publishing original work is all about generating new ideas and discovering unique systems. It requires great storytelling and building a body of work that makes you an expert in your chosen field. Now tell me that isn’t creative!

Today, I find myself in the workplace where management is eager to impress their clients with creative ideas and solutions. With this challenge comes the need to categorize employees as “creative” versus “noncreative.” So once again I ask myself, “Am I creative … enough?”

I get it, creative minds are sought after. They are considered the bread and butter of most companies. However, the need to label people as “creative” or “noncreative” is scandalous.

You see, it’s all about perception. If I don’t look or sound like the “creative type,” I can’t possibly be creative. But, here’s a provocative truth:

  • Everyone is born creative.

God is a creative being. He created us in his image and likeness, depositing in us seeds of creativity, curiosity, imagination, perseverance, intelligence … just watch a kid play with a giant card box and you’ll see that. So the challenge is to keep these qualities alive and flourishing. This includes growing and exercising our creativity muscles—yes, we all have them!

Over the years, I’ve seen my creative ability grow and atrophy depending on the environment. So I plan to strengthen and condition my creativity muscles by being more playful at home, at work, and in my community. And to surround myself with folks who will nurture and sharpen my creative edge. Basically, I plan to follow my 2-year-old’s lead.

What does creativity mean to you?

True or False: We are all born creative.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Sweet Escape

Playful, wild, unsuspecting, free … these words aptly describe our experience at a service centre in Middleburg, South Africa.

We had been driving from Mbabane, Swaziland to Johannesburg, South Africa when we spotted this glorious scene by the roadside: zebras nuzzling and buffalo dancing under the watchful eye of a moody rhino.

Zebras playing
Zebras nuzzling
Buffalo shimmy shake
Buffalo dance

It’s moments like this that make me nostalgic for Africa.

Where else in the world can you find a rest stop with a free animal park?

What a fabulous escape from the road!

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape.

How to Save Time

Bvlgari clock

“Where did the time go?”

“Time flies so fast!”

“I can’t believe my baby is all grow up!”

We often worry about not having enough time. And when it’s gone, it’s gone!

So how can we save time? How can we prevent ourselves from wasting precious minutes and hours?

By understanding the Why behind what we’re doing.

When we know the Why—the intent, objective, or purpose of a task—we’re better geared for success and less likely to waste time pursuing the wrong agenda.

Think on it …

Weekly Photo Challenge: Snacks From Above

Travelling in Tanzania is always an adventure. Whether in a taxi, bus, or airplane, you’re guaranteed a unique experience.

A recent bus trip through the Tanzanian countryside was no exception. Hot and cramped like sardines on a so-called luxury coach, we were eager to see the end to this arduous 12-hour plus journey.

You can imagine our excitement when we spotted these hawkers reaching above our window to sell refreshing goodies. Granted, their food selection pales in comparison to your typical roadside convenience store, it was welcome sustenance nonetheless.

TZ bus crisps

Captured this merchant selling crisps from above my bus window (Tanzania)

Captured this merchant selling drinks and other goodies from above my bus window (Tanzania)

This post is part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: From Above. The challenge was to share a photo of a subject that you shot from directly above.

I’m Fearless – I Just Don’t Know It … Yet

One fine spring evening, I was inspired to jog along the riverside.

Endorphins pumping, feet pounding to the rhythm of Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us, I was high on life. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I spotted a lone duck swimming furiously in the middle of the river, a duck I nicknamed Flora.

Flora the fearless

Flora the fearless

As Flora paddled, a blazing trail of water followed her. I’m not sure where she was headed, but boy, she was determined. Though small in stature, Flora wasn’t intimidated by the sheer body of water surrounding her. Neither depth, nor height, nor width, nor the frigidity of the water could deter her from her mission.

Flora was confident and charming. She would playfully turn back, strike a pose, and then keep it moving.
Flora trailblazing

Flora trailblazing

Captivated by her adventurous spirit, I thought:

It sure must be wonderful to have Flora’s fierce attitude. If this beautiful creature can fearlessly navigate into the vast unknown, why do I easily get distracted by Dr Fear and Mrs Doubt? There’s this immensely exciting world waiting to be explored, yet I settle for “OK” rather than striving for “extraordinary.”

Flora’s confidence and boldness has inspired me to dig deep within myself. I need to unearth the buried treasure that my Creator so eagerly wants to release.

Flora knows she can swim. She demonstrates it brilliantly. She spreads her joy to all who will stop and see. This creature uses her innate skills and talents to bless the world around her.

Through Flora’s example, God’s spirit assures me that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will separate me from His love (Romans 8:39). And because perfect love casts out all fear, I can forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead, pressing on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling me (Philippians 3:13).

How has creation inspired you lately?

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Accessible Change

Cell tower photographed in Tukuyu, Tanzania

Cell tower photographed in Tukuyu, Tanzania

Mobile phones have revolutionized communication and entrepreneurship in many African nations—Kenya and Tanzania included.

This cell tower located in the hills and valleys of Tukuyu, Tanzania, symbolizes connectivity and accessibility. It represents technology that not only affects day-to-day life, but impacts economic development.

Before the rampant use of mobile phones, and I’m talking approximately 10 years ago, communication was tough! Living in Canada and having to contact family members in remote villages in Africa was next to impossible. Today, almost everyone is just a phone call away. There is rarely a need to rely on the sole landline phone in the village.

Mobile Banking

I’ve witnessed first hand how mobile telephony has rapidly changed the lives and businesses of many Africans. In fact, the mobile revolution in Africa has surpassed that of many western nations. It is arguably more pervasive and affordable. Even our grandmothers who live in remote far away locations have cell phones, and not 1 but 2!

In emerging economies, cell phones are used for more than just talking. Mobile telephony has significantly transformed money transfer, education, banking, agriculture, and healthcare. It’s impossible to ignore the impact that M-Pesa—a mobile phone–based money transfer system—has had on its millions of users since launching in Kenya in 2007.

Using M-Pesa, folks can:

  • Pay bills
  • Deposit and withdraw money
  • Transfer money
  • Purchase airtime

… and all without a trip to the bank! To quote Melinda Gates:

More people in Kenya are moving money through the M-Pesa system than the banking sector

An ad for M-Pesa at the market in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

An ad for 3 competing mobile money solutions on the same poster at a market in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, and Airtel Money

Power Shift

The mass adoption of mobile telephony has resulted in healthy competition that further enriches Africa’s cultural fabric. This has resulted in huge price reductions; in fact, calling the West from Africa is now 80% cheaper than the reverse! This has created a change in the power dynamic, with Africa now driving the conversation on progress.

Rampant monopolization being witnessed in the West is not allowing real change to take place in many sectors, as the pace and direction of change is under corporate control. The change conversation has to be defined by the end-users and competition is key to fostering a client-centric environment; this is something emerging economies have understood.

What does change mean to you? What kind of change are you witnessing in your society? See what others have said here: Weekly Photo Challenge: Change

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Spring is Being Hijacked

Here comes the blizzard
All dressed in white
Unwelcome guest
Is hijacking spring

Is this a late April Fools’ Day joke?

  • 15 to 25 centimeters of snow and ice pellets expected in Montreal … in the middle of April?!

Spring is definitely struggling to break through!

Snowfall warning/storm watch in Montreal in mid-April
Looks like spring is being hijacked!

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