EXPRESSIONS OF THOUGHT AND CREATIVITY
The mind is an infinite source of creative possibilities. Right at this moment, we all foster an abundance of latent creative potential - all just waiting there, ready for us to tap into.
Creativity is not genetic and it's not a 'gift' either, but considered more of a mind preference. Inspiration for new concepts and ideas, all stem from a creative state – a process of activation via creative expression. With careful preparation and mindful practice, we can all create from this magical realm from within.
Our mindset is the key factor in generating the perfect creative 'space' both in regards to the virtual and an actual creative environment. Personality and character preferences of the individual can largely determine which areas of the brain are switched on and utilised. We tend to follow the mind pathways that work best for us in our daily environment and it's these factors that determine our ability to think logically (closed) and/or creatively (open).
The two side of the brain have distinctly different functions. Logical, rational and organisational thoughts, are said to favour the left-side of the brain – which is more dominantly linked to systematic thinking, whereas the application of these systematic thought processeses are said to be processed via the right brain. For example, speech patterns may be learned, with vocabulary and grammar stored for retrieval by the left hemisphere, whereas descriptive tone, inclination and word formulations are (it's now claimed), nuanced for poetry, prose and verbal expressions from the right hemisphere of the brain.
Studies vary and opinions change all the time - so, there's still (clearly) a lot about the brain's functions we don't understand and may perhaps never fully be understood. Everybody is unique and will be different in how and where different regions of the brain are activated to perform certain functions. Contrary to a previously held belief, the brain does not actually function as two independently divided halves, but performs in a more collaborative process – with both hemispheres harmoniously sharing the information via the corpus callosum – allowing for enhanced improved comprehension and attaining meaning/rationale for what our senses are perceiving.
It's perhaps irrelevant which side of the brain we favour, as different functions can be performed by either side in some cases. But something paramount for self-observation, is understanding which thought processes we tend to favour most and why. Because then we can encourage alternative modes of thinking, which focus more on the opposing thought pathways, leading us to a more balanced 'left/right' thinking/sensing rational and at the same time, sympathetic mindset. Over time and through a focussed application of our thought processes – especially targeting those neural pathways which we tend to bypass/neglect – these newly awakened channels can fire up dormant synapses, to assist in our ongoing quest for self-development/improvement.
Narrow-Minded
Believing that one is past the point of training our brains, will feed the false notion that older brains cannot learn new modes of thinking. This narrow thinking has collectively contributed towards the old myth that we are restricted on the number of brain cells available to us in a lifetime. However, more recent research tells us that we do in fact have the ability to restore brain function and generate new/repair old neural pathways – even when it's apparently been 'lost' to us through old age, illness and injury. Once again, this resigned attitude comes back to how the individual's positive/negative mindset perceives their potential for successful results.
The ability to develop regions of the brain, for enhanced cerebral functions, is available to us all. It's just a matter of application. However, those who believe they will never have the capacity for performing certain tasks, which they've been told are beyond their realm – either because they've perhaps reached a certain age or else they've picked up false information about brain hemispheres pre-determining their ability to perform in a certain way, will indeed live up to the expectations they've given themselves.
Getting stuck in a rigid mindset, is the reason why we will never change. Confidence in one's ability and retaining a determination for achieving our goals, fighting against a negative/defeatist attitude in oneself – or stupidly listening/believing what other people tell us, is why we fail.
One should always try to remember the golden rule for living one's life, which is this: Positive thoughts will attract more positive outcomes. This is ultimately how we will make desired favourable changes for greater success.
Becoming Creative
Now we have established that our brain function is determined by the preferences of the individual and that non-creative activities/thought processes can be activated, trained and enhanced through application over time, we need to set up the creative environment for us to work within.
Manifestations of a creative concept, can be transmuted via different expressive mediums that we already possess. Either we become masters of expression through the sounds our voice-box can generate, in the form of singing/chanting, or we can use movement and sound together in dance and acting pursuits. Other creative expressions can be channelled through our bodies/limbs and into the hands for writing, painting and sculpting etc.
When we channel the creative energy through our bodies, it's important to have a direct connection to the natural flow of things. Flowing movements can be expressed in our movements. So it follows that writing and drawing can be better expressed through use of a stylus, brush or pen, rather than through a keyboard or a mouse.
In order to activate the creative neural pathways, it's equally important to free ourselves up from distractions and to be in an environment which allows for the relaxed mental space and undisturbed time for the creative processes to really work.
Physical And Virtual Space
Our environment has both a physical and non-physical space. The comfort of the physical space, lowers the stress response and facilitates 'flow-state'. A peacefulness of inner mind, allows the virtual space for more neurons to fire off. Good sleep and nutrition, will also allow for more sustained activation of the creative processes. Good preperation of our creative environment will allow us to be immersed in the creative mind state for longer periods of time for even greater, creative expressions to deliver it's magic.
Setting The Stage
Once we have identified the types of thinking that are neglected, we are able to address these areas of our thinking that need greater focus by writing them down. This writing process is our first stage in discovering our shortcomings and in itself takes applied focus and practice. It's possibly one of the most difficult tasks you'll ever do, because we cannot trust our own opinions.
The mind has a way of deceiving ourselves to what we are really like! If you've ever had to write a short biog on yourself, you'll understand how hard it is to know who you are and what you are about. Try it as a first exercise, then show it to the person closest to you – your mum or partner. Then see how different the opinions are....
The bad news is that we lie constantly and we lie the most convincingly to ourselves. The good news, is that we can move forward from this realisation and become more open-minded through consistent self-reflection.
Creative writing is the best way for us to commence a journey of self-discovery. Taking the time to sit alone with ourselves in a quiet place, with a blank page in front of us and pen in hand, will not only help us to understand where the imbalances lie in our thinking (and lives), but can also open up the creative mindset for exploring other facets of creativity (and discovery), a process which may have been temporarily lost to us (or more accurately put: deactivated through neglect), over the years.
