You Are Creative And You Don’t Know It

The soul’s survival instinct as a human

If you have done everything the world told you to do and yet not found “It” then look no further. You, like the others, are suffering from a very serious problem. Yes, it’s extremely serious. I used to have it too, but no more. I recovered and healed. And I am here to let you know, so can you.

The condition is called — ‘denial of self’. Well, it’s not actually called that. But it’s the best I can describe what it is. An almost complete denial of self. When you find yourself, you will find “It” too.

When we look at the world around what do we see? Humans living near about similar lives. As said by the great yogi Paramhansa Yoganand— carbon copies of each other. It starts from school to college, then a job, wedding, children, grandkids, a few other milestones, and achievements here and there. Our joys are similar and so are our regrets. It would be hard to tell why anyone is unique unless they do something unique, wouldn’t it?

Because our worlds are so identical, we fail to realize almost sub-consciously we tend to live a life that has outer approval. Try to imagine not doing one of the routines said above. Imagine not being married, or buying a car despite being over 45 years. What would others say or think of you? Would you be able to stand against their opinion? Are you going to be called a rebel or an outcast, or even mad? Are you prepared to deal with that, or is it easier to just do it at the expense of yourself?

Unlike adults, kids are not identical. Ever wondered why? They are free and rebellious and don’t care a damn. They eat on the bed, fall asleep on the dog, paint the walls, throw their footwear anywhere, and in general can be a mess. We love it, adore it, and sooner or later train them to stop doing it. They need to be well-behaved, mature, and obedient. As they grow, throwing tantrums is not okay anymore, getting everything you want is not okay anymore, scoring fewer marks is not okay anymore. We prepare them to get ready for an unfair world. And now we have one more semi-serious adult in the making.

Survival Instinct

The transition from the wonderful loving child to the programmed adult is just harsh. Some of us honor some skills like painting or singing, drawing, or animal welfare. Yet as an adult we spare very little time on our happiness. We are too tired, too busy, or too something else. Our jobs, our families, our social obligations, our degrees, our retirement funds, our next vacation, are far more important than the need to honor ourselves. It doesn’t mean any of the above don’t do that. They are critical to living in this world, but our survival instinct is not based on them. It’s based on our creativity.

Yes, our security doesn’t only come from the above. Odd as that may sound, let’s bring out the bitter truth. We got to leave everything behind in the final moment, including our bodies due to which we were even able to achieve something in this world. Our final destination is the same, and no, luggage is not allowed! Then how come this can be our real security?

Our survival instinct is based on the need to create. This instinct is in our genes and survives through procreation. Nature's mechanism to continue life. What makes humans different from other species, is that we can also intentionally create. If you did everything you were told to do and haven’t found “It” this is “It”. Start creating!

What is creativity?

Creativity is often confused with having artistic skills. Artistic skills are a subset of creativity. To create means to solidify imagination into the matter. Only man has the ability to imagine. Lot’s of ideas flow through us daily, most of which we ignore. Yet the creative forces that made you and I are relentless. If you pass, it will find someone else. It doesn’t stop, but in the process, we may stagnate due to the lack of this force through us.

What is your calling? Are you interested in cooking, baking, or singing? Do you perhaps want to start your own company? Everyone has a calling, even if your first answer was that you don’t have one. Often times we look at accomplished creators, compare, and get disheartened. We feel we don’t have skills, are not born with them, have formal training, or have support from others to pursue them. This is because we are not in tune with what we need to bring out and have denied it in the past.

This calling or tugging of the heartstrings, or the inner nagging feeling, or however it comes to you, has been converted by some into a very fulfilling career or hobby. You will see some of the most content people are those that hear their inner guidance, and follow it. On the face of it, yes they might be doing the same routine tasks, but what makes them stand apart is the excellence in what they do and why they do it. It’s because they just couldn’t say no to themselves. And as a return gift from the world, we praise such people for having done something totally different. We think they are favored or lucky ones.

They are neither. Really, believe me.

Luckily we all don’t have to put in a lot of effort, time, or money into becoming creative. The easiest way to honor this force is to apply it daily. It could be how we make our bed, wash the dishes (yes there are more than one way to do it), best of waste, chopping veggies and fruits into different shapes, making a hand made gift and the list goes on. If the mindset is active and honored, we can do wonders every day.

Reflection

Let’s contemplate this in detail. Ask yourself -

What have I always wanted to do? Play the piano, get cricket coaching, learn Japanese, write, dress designing,creating a magazine, running a hobby group, or cake designing.

Can I do it today? Yes/No

If Yes what can be my next step? Enroll in a class, self learn, team up with others, get a book on it.

If No, how can I convert it into a Yes? What’s truly in my way and how can I overcome it?

I don’t have the time — Can I spare 10 mins of scroll time into a YouTube video on Japanese lessons? Can I get a social media tracking app and be prepared to be shocked at how much time I waste (mine earlier was 110 mins)

It’s not that important — Change the mindset, make yourself a priority. If you feel your kids, and spouse, and job, and everything else are more important you are definitely in denial of yourself.

I am too old for something new — as long as you are alive you can learn. You have done it in the past and you can do it again.

My partner doesn’t understand it — I can try to make her understand, but if she doesn’t it’s okay. I can pursue it on my own.

I don't have money — How much can I spare for this as per my budget? As kids, we wanted to grow up and be free and independent to spend our money. When are you planning to do that? Work on increasing your income if it’s too much of a stretch. Who knows your creativity might earn some or lots of money.

What if I fail? Nobody is keeping score if you pass or fail. All those you think are scorekeepers have the same final destination as you.

The social dilemma

Have you noticed how much negativity is somehow more visible out there? It’s practically in our daily internet, news, and social media feeds. Overall on the globe there is a lot of increasing violence and restlessness. Well, one reason that can help is that many of the the good guys that are busy denying themselves and their creativity take charge. The bad guys intending harm on society are planning, training, spending, executing, and marketing negative propaganda daily. Unless enough of us put out there pure positive content, this will continue. Do your part. Contribute by creating. Your channeling of the intelligent creative forces will bring peace to this planet. It’s not going to happen on its own. All of us need to take action. Fight the good fight.

Later…

Do you enjoy watching different shows on Netflix? Or perhaps the tennis matches? Ever been awestruck by a music concert? Why is that? It’s a simple answer. We are enjoying the creativity of others. How it delights us and makes us happy or feel differently.

What if we reverse that? We create something and share it with the world, and see how they enjoy it. If we like their work so much, can you imagine the joy of being the maker of it?

Once you honor this calling you will feel fulfilled. This will bring an altogether different joy to your routines. A sense of awe and wonder will fill your life. When this becomes a part of your daily life, you will feel deeply connected to the oneness of all that is, simply because the same intelligent forces are flowing through others. The outer expression will be different, but the inner essence that I honor myself, I extend myself, I believe in myself, is what is being truly expressed. Once you do, you give permission to others to do it as well.