Our world moves at a blinding speed. Most people I know have the attention span of schizophrenic chipmunks. At work, we’re constantly moving to the next thing, putting out fires, solving problems. I work at an architecture firm where creativity is supposed to coarse through the very veins of the office. Sometimes I feel as though we’re moving so fast, creativity becomes an afterthought.
All this rushing around got me thinking. How do we encourage creativity from those around us in a world of tight schedules and endless distractions?
I think in a broader sense, we have to slow down. We have to build each other up. Learn to recognize when someone is excited about a project. Heap coals onto that fire. Compliment them in front of others and applaud their passion. By slowing down and taking notice, we’ll discover other people’s creative abilities and our own creative fire will be fueled in the process.
In a much simpler sense, its a small pile of magnets on Jason’s cubicle wall that changes a little everyday as passerbys add their creative touch. Everchanging, never perfect, always inspiring. It may be a small pile of metal, but at least once a day, it causes someone to STOP and create.
Being extraordinary
I heard a sermon yesterday that spoke about being called into ministry. During the sermon, the pastor used the example of women who choose to become stay-at-home moms. He said that many times, they feel frustrated by the “ordinary” role of parenting when they are pulled by the idea of doing other, more “extraordinary” things in life. His point was that the role of parenting, raising young children and instilling in them education, wisdom and love was an extraordinary and vitally important calling. While it may not gain the prestige and attention of other endeavors, the decision to be a be full-time parent can produce a bounty of goodness.
I immediately realized the significance of that point! We aren’t always given the sexiest tasks to handle in life. However, it’s the way we handle the “ordinary” things that truly make us extraordinary.