CLICK to listen to the podcast of “Creativity Regained”

You wouldn’t like to be told that you could no longer vote because your contribution to society was too little. Your contribution to society is not only a matter of taxes but of thought. Everybody is obliged, in relation to his or her ability, to contribute some thought to the society in which they live. It is what democracy is about.

Your vote is cast to express your wishes for the future of your family and country by electing someone who will get your ideas implemented. Is the thought you contribute through your vote the best for future generations or is it simply what you want now?

If the latter you are not doing the right thing for society, for your children and grandchildren or for the planet. You could use your thinking talent better. If on the other hand, your vote is cast for the person who can provide a sustainable future, who can help to think through the enormous problems we face, then you are fulfilling your obligation as well as you can.

Changing our inner attitudes in order to change our lives (as William James observed in yesterday’s Daily Paradox) is the basis on which creativity can be regained. How is this to be done?

As with every worthwhile step in life it is a matter of understanding, achieved through training, and discipline. We embrace the former, anxious to improve our performance, enhance our value, enjoy our lives and make a better contribution. We sometimes shun discipline because of the demands it makes on time, energy and thinking. No change can be achieved without it. Take heart, discipline, too, can be fun.

Before training we need to establish two things about our purpose in life. First, that when we find our own purpose we find the purpose of life. Searching for life’s purpose in abstract is a philosophical game some enjoy. It is not how most people find the answer. That comes only when they find their own purpose.

Second, we need to understand that, as David Viscott pointed out, “the purpose of life is to discover your gift; the meaning of life is to give it away”.

Once these two points are accepted training for a more creative life can begin. I will tell you how tomorrow in Creativity Enhanced.

Einstein said: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Einstein was talking about the miracle of creativity, of being able to transform the everyday experience, the mundane observation, the taken-for-granted association into something that makes life useful, purposeful and fulfilling.

Creativity is regained by seeing everything as a miracle.