Is it a woman with flowers, creativity, or a different way of looking at things?*

It doesn't take that long to go from one to twenty-one... we have all done it, we have all seen it happen, and if by chance you are less than twenty-one and reading this; trust me, you will be there before you know it. As a father watching his daughter grow into a lovely young woman, it seemed to all happen within a couple of heart beats** - The heart of a loving father who is so very proud; I hope you can appreciate with a knowing smile that most of what I'm about to say will be heavily biased. 

A poor photograph of a stunning Sarah Edwards original that is hanging on my wall.

The title on her very first business card is "Visual Merchandiser and Fabricator". What that actually is becomes apparent as you look at her website, her LinkedIn profile, and almost everything she does for that matter. She is very much a CREATIVE by nature.

And what she creates are "visuals" that capture your attention.

Sarah Edwards Design Website

Sarah Edwards LinkedIn profile

With that obvious and shameless promotion by a loving father behind us, I wanted to offer some thoughts that came about when I attended my daughter's year-end visual merchandising show - All pertaining to the development of better ideas, better plans, better solutions, and ultimately better results (no matter what you are doing). 

Before I take us down any "creatively designed" bunny holes, it's probably worth framing up the context of my thoughts... I've found this can be done very nicely with pithy truisms.

Truism #1: Everything done will be better if more than one person is involved, which fortunately or unfortunately leads to "team dynamics".

Truism #2: Groupthink can offer some advantages but it will compromise Truism #3

Truism #3: Different perspectives lead to a "better everything" - situation understanding, ideas, and solutions.

Truism #4: Just because you don't understand it or agree with it, doesn't mean it isn't a better choice. 

Truism #5: Change will happen and what used to work will eventually stop working.

So as I wandered the show surrounded by dozens of creative souls, their talents and efforts, I found myself saying a couple of times, "I wouldn't have done it that way, but I really like it!" - And with that said, I was reminded THINKING DIFFERENTLY IS GOOD and it leads to new perspectives and ideas; all offering better outcomes. More importantly, I was reminded to search out those who have a different way of looking at things, listen to what they have to say, add their voice to the mix, and let their creativity capture your attention. 

How better to bring creativity to your situational analysis, ideas, planning or implementation then involving a "CREATIVE"... literally.

Here is to the Class of 2016!

iamgpe

*In my mind, the answer to the question in the title is all three.

** Saying  couple of heartbeats is artistic licence as a rough calculation of the number over 21 years is approximately 827,820,000 not accounting for leap years.

How would you fill in the "blanks"?

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

Inspiration sparks creativity and creativity powers action, and this, as we know leads to getting it done - And getting it done, more often than not, takes us to wonderful places... if only to say, "Hey everyone, look what I did!" 

Inspiration is defined as something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create, and is very much individual. For me, inspiration seems to come from watching the "hustle and bustle" of the world, nature, friends, as well as the biographies, lives and creativity of others* (a majority of whom I will never have the pleasure of meeting) - It is in the creativity of others where I have found my latest inspiration.

It came to me as an "interactive" birthday quote by Neil Gaiman** where the sender can fill in the blanks for the well wishes of the coming year (at least this is how I've interpreted it). The quote looks like this before it is filled in: 

" I hope you have a {fill in blank} year, that you will {fill in blank} dangerously and outrageously, that you'll {fill in blank}, that you will {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}, and that you will have {fill in blank}. And most importantly (because I think there should be more {fill in blank} and {fill in blank} in the world right now) that {fill in blank}, when you need to be, {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}."

Neil Gaiman filled it out like this - 

"I hope you have a wonderful year, that you will dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before, that you will be loved, and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and like in return. And most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be wise and that you will always be kind."

Inspiration is found in the quote itself to be sure, but it is the creativity behind the quote that has captured my imagination. This creativity offers a framework to make something that has amazing birthday wishes, thought and meaning... and as we all know, fifteen minutes of heart felt effort will trump a pricy gift anytime.

Being more creative still, if you "fill in the blanks" as if you are sending this to your self, it can be used to develop your mantra, your goals and your aspirations - The core values at the heart of who you are, where you want to go, and what you want to be. 

And there is an importance in doing this... it can help ensure your plans, your activities and everything you are doing are aligned with your core vision. Because as you know, being misaligned with this will have you spinning your wheels, missing your goals and probably making you unhappy more often than not.

The utility of this quote is really quite versatile it seems and with all of that said, here what it looks like when I fill in the blanks:

" I hope you have a phenomenal year, that you will explore dangerously and outrageously, that you'll continue to stretch yourself beyond what you know, that you will be mindful and that you will be exhilarated with what you do, and that you will have fun with it. And most importantly (because I think there should be more involvement and collaboration in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be present and that you will help those around you."

And if you decide to fill in your own blanks, don't be surprised if it takes you longer than you thought. 

All rather inspirational don't you think?

iamgpe

* The creativity of my daughter offers me regular inspiration.

** Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. His commencement speak entitled "Make Good Art" is a must see.

Never lose your sense of wonder, or in other words

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

... never lose your sense of feeling surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. I was reminded of this a couple of days ago when I found myself exploring the local aquarium.

Being a land dwelling biped by definition anything under the sea is foreign, as well as curious, fascinating, different and worthy of any and all attention; if only for the astonishing way oxygen is extracted from the water to breathe. With all this wonder in front of me, as incredulous as it may seem, I actually became weary of it all... rather quickly.

Big fish, little fish, fat fish, skinny fish, flat fish, fish with teeth, fish without teeth... hey look, a shark, and another, and another; it seemed I had seen it all before - I WAS BORED. As if the universe sensed my impertinence, I turned a corner and was introduced to Chrysaora quinquecirrha. What I saw were dozens of them floating in the currents of their tank, backlit in blue. I simply stared in WONDER - And shortly after that, a small wave of humiliation washed over me.

Chrysaora quinquecirrha*

My wonder, particularly after watching a Chrysaora quinquecirrha find its way (with an awesome soundtrack added*) should be obvious, but perhaps not the reason for my humiliation - Simply stated, this small creature put me to shame for my ARROGANCE in believing I had seen it all before, knew it all, and simply wasn't savouring this amazing experience we call the human condition - I was reminded that having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, knowledge or abilities is limiting.

It limits you with regard to - 

• stretching yourself and understanding more.
• seeing things you have not seen before.
• experiencing new things.
• moving beyond your comfort zone.
• connecting with people who look at the world differently.
• self reflection.
• experiencing the human condition to the fullest.

So with my newly minted Chrysaora quinquecirrha video, I am forever reminded to "Never lose my sense of wonder", as well as appreciate and savour the moments that come my way.

iamgpe  

* The sound track to the Chrysaora quinquecirrha is performed by The Mediaeval Baebes - Blow Northern Wind from the album The Rose.