Creativity

People often say that I'm creative. But, what does that really mean? Isn't everyone creative in some way? I mean, sometimes people are really good problem solvers and they come up with solutions that are a bit 'out of the box'. Those people are creative. I am not so good at this creative problem solving thing. Alone, my ideas and beliefs are a bit vanilla, sort of middle of the road, and rarely are what I would consider 'creative'. But, put me with other people---people who toss around different ideas and viewpoints---and it suddenly becomes much easier to see other options, other possibilities, and new creative solutions. Doesn't that make the entire group creative?



I think that when people call me creative, though, they are talking about crafting. I know how to do a lot of different crafts. I often sort of laugh off the idea that I'm creative, because, honestly, how much creativity does it take to follow a pattern made by someone else? Yes, it looks great when the project is finished. But, everyone who can follow a pattern can create the exact same thing! I realize that not everyone knows how to sew or cross stitch or paint, but I owe those skills to my mother. I'm in awe of those people who put together artwork so easily---they have the skills AND the ability to make the project their own.



I am trying to become more creative, though. It is like people put that label on me and I'm needing to fulfill it. Someday, maybe I'll believe it when people call me creative.