A friend loaned me the DVD, Evolve Your Brain: the Science of Changing Your Mind, by Dr. Joe Dispenza. I’m aware of Dr. Joe and have read one of his books, so I knew to expect some interesting science around how our minds and emotions create our lives, but about halfway through the lecture, he said something that fits perfectly in this blog. He said, “My definition of creativity is when I forget about myself.”
He went on to explain that when we’re immersed in creation, we forget everything around us and time slips away. He explained that we’re having so much fun we want to elongate the moment. At the same time, we get more present. Interestingly, in that process, we are reorganizing our brains to think differently.
One of my most popular posts on this blog, “It’s About Time Finding You,” has to do with time slipping away when we create, but I like Joe’s explanation that it’s because we forget about ourselves. He talks about the frontal lobe of the brain and how it shuts out distractions and negative self-talk, but to me, it’s even more interesting than that.
Because when I’m creating, I do lose a sense of self in that sometimes it feels like what I’m writing is coming from somewhere outside of me. In other ways, though, I’m aware that in those moments, I’m experiencing my best self. A self that is confident and energized and filled with passion and purpose. A self that is not worrying about whether anyone will read my words, but solely focused on the challenge of getting them down. A self that is full of possibility and potential. A self that is happy.
Creativity brings great things into our world. Art and inventions that improve the lives of many. But first, it delivers an awakening to the creator. It pulls us out of the mundane and into the magic. I’m sure it does rewire our brains, but I’m also sure it rewires our hearts. We grow through creativity. Any toddler could show you that.
So, set some time aside each day to create or even just to think about what you’d like to create. It is not a waste of time. It is not less important than all of the things on your to-do list. It is not indulgent. It’s essential.
Forget yourself for a bit in your art today. Then marvel at the rewired, re-energized, renewed “you” that emerges.
By Teresa R. Funke
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