A Reflection on Creative Evolution

 Creativity takes courage.

                                    - Henri Matisse

This semester has been a whirlwind. We have read an incredible amount and thought even more. 

The moments in which we were asked to consider different aspects of creativity were innumerable...

and the moments in which we were asked to engage in creativity were invaluable.

In trying to come up with what to say about my experiences these last sixteen weeks, I almost find myself at a loss. We have explored what it means to be creative from the smallest increments to ones so vast that they change the face of humanity forever and we have talked about ways in which we can move across those realms, taking our creative endeavors from private to existence-changing.

Do I think that I will ever create anything that changes the world? I want to say no, not in the ways that we spoke of. But I do think that everything we do... impacts us all. And I have, in four very distinct ways, created someone who might change the world in those awe-inspiring ways that I simply... do not aspire to. 

I want to create for the sake of creation, for the sake of personal meaning-making, for the sake of enjoyment. I want to make gardens, handmade gifts, meals from scratch, a life that nurtures, and I can say that while this class has opened my eyes to what I (and others) may be capable of if our ideas are given enough love... It has also opened my eyes to the creativity in which I engage every single day of my life and that has brought me a sense of satisfaction that perhaps did not exist before. 

As I go through this program at Melson, I find that life changes in unexpected ways. It has more color, more scent, more movement, and certainly a deeper love and appreciation that it did before I came here. - And this class has added to that in some profound ways. 

I find myself considering that a year from now... I will be wrapping up. I will be leaving Melson Hall. If not forever, at least for a time. And I find myself tucking all of these ideas, these bits of knowledge, these skills, not only into my journal but also into my pocket. You know... for a rainy day. 

Making the bed? It's creating a safe, clean, cozy space.

Hygiene? It's creating a safe, clean, healthy space within.

Meals? They're creating not only good health and strong bodies but also irreplaceable memories.

Driving? It creates conversations that we might not otherwise take the time to have.

School? It's creating knowledge, skills... an entire future.

Creation... is more than paint or ink or collage. It's more than writing or poetry. More than composing. And I feel like that... is what I have gained from this experience. We are out here speaking things into existence and acting like its commonplace... When if we take a moment, we can see that everything we think, say, do, and are... is a matter of creation.

Additionally, I think I have learned from this class to take my ideas more seriously. They have value, and it's amazing what becomes suddenly possible when we are in an environment that not only welcomes us but values us. - Being at Melson has taught me that in a more tangible way... not just the value of providing that atmosphere but the joy of living in it as well.

If this is meant to be a critique of my experiences in Exploring Creativity... Make more art. Eat more food together. Have more conversations that matter. Find more ways to move and be. Find more time to celebrate. I wouldn't take anything away. I wouldn't really change anything except to somehow find the energy, the time, to make it all more. 

Maybe to consider the fact together... that we are in creation at Melson... creating a community, trusted relationships, friendships, memories and yes... change on a large scale because we will all leave Melson to do something great. Whether that means baking bread for our families, entering into practice, taking up a research position, or becoming the town legend (swamp witch?).... We cannot exist and not create change and every change we create... creates more change. 

I wanted to create... a visual... that would show these ideas. And I don't have the time, the energy, the items I need to do this as the semester wraps and chaos descends so I've asked AI to help me to create a visual for this. It almost feels... silly... but I wish I could step into this kind of life.

And a second offering... is a song written and performed by some very talented women that I feel as definitely out there creating change in a tangible way.