Early education
I remember elementary school. We were encouraged to think creatively and use our imagination. But by 7th grade all the classes that specifically focused on creativity were no longer required: singing, drawing, painting, working with clay – all gone.
Years later, I entered the working world. I gravitated to jobs that involved creative thinking. At times, my jobs encouraged (even required) creativity, at other times, they didn’t.
These days, my mind needs a break from news clips, zoom meetings and the same old, same old. I need creativity. I want to write a book, paint a huge oil painting, take a cooking class, re-design my backyard.
Yes, I realize these endeavors are not likely to support me in life. But maybe in these times, we need some creativity to take hold during our personal time… and our work time, too. Instead of thinking like the 7th grade administrators who determined that creativity is no longer required, maybe we encourage creativity instead. It might be just what we need today.
