So, how can we improve our creativity? I mean, aren’t we eventually going to run out of ideas?! And, that’s where we would be wrong if we answered “yes”. The brain has more capacity for amazing new creations than we can even comprehend. But, we can improve our capacity for creating. If you look at the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci paintings you’ll find endless creativity. Look at his work closely. You’ll see his imagination had him comparing the extremes in life. Michael Gelb suggest we can apply steps to improve our genius and be more like Leonardo da Vinci (Gelb, 2004). For example, in the Cultivate Confusion Endurance challenge he suggests we try to stretch ourselves to see the world just a bit differently by examining things that just don’t fit together. Examine opposite states then compare and contrast the relationship between them.
Here are some of mine.
- Joy and Sorrow—
- The saddest moment in my life? When my husband left.
- Most joyful? The day each of my children were born.
- The saddest moment in my life? When my husband left.
- What is the relationship between these states?
- Can we feel joy and sorrow simultaneously?
Gelb shares: “Leonardo once wrote, ‘The highest happiness becomes the cause of unhappiness.…’” But, of course, the love for my husband was lost when he left. Life will come to an end. That unconditional love and joy with and for family, will eventually cause great grief at life’s destiny end in this life.
- Good and Evil— It’s easy to look at the evil as bad, but what if it’s illness caused? Is it still bad? Can one who has shown a sign of “evil” do good? Wanting to hold on to grudges and hate (the easier road to bare), I might have said yes in the past, but let’s look at that “evil” minded individual a bit closer. How does he or she see the world? What’s the trauma going on within? Now look within yourself. Wow! It’s joyful. Clean, serene, flowing in comparison. I can learn from the one(s) I might have formally considered “evil.” Perhaps, he was swayed to view the world differently. How does he/she look at the the world in a way I can’t even comprehend? It brings me greater rainbows and joy considering I see the world full of color, life and harmony.
- Life and death-
- Life = everything, moments, time, people, joy, interaction, knowledge, emotion, endless lists
- Death = rest. With two centurian grandmother’s, I see great value in this one return. Both are beautiful in their given state.
- Life = everything, moments, time, people, joy, interaction, knowledge, emotion, endless lists
Gelb, M. J. (2009). How to think like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven steps to genius every day (Kindle Locations 2147-2163). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.