The Significance of Creativity, or to put it another way, creativity creates significance (the noun/verb, subject/verb is a little awkward, not to mention the repetition. Oh, the vagaries of the English language).
Creativity is an act that begins with you, as an internal locus of control. It is inwardly focused, a way of understanding who you are, what you stand for and what you believe in.
What Does Creativity Create in You?
Whether you’re at the start of your creative journey, been at it for a little while or have carved highways for others to follow, creativity creates four things within an individual: significance, community, conversation and legacy.
Significance
* Creativity creates an understanding of who you are.
Perhaps you started creating to work out the impact of a significantly emotional event in your life or as a way of exploring new ideas.
Whatever the reason, it forms a significant part of who you are, what you identify with and how it is manifested in your creativity.
It is intensely personal, even private, and may never be shared with anyone else. It does not negate the significance of who you are. As intensely personal as creativity is, when shared with others, it gives them an insight into who you are. You have purpose and meaning, a spiritual dimension to your life.
Community
* Creativity is not a field limited to the individual.
It is often done as an individual but you should not be without a community.
Finding like-minded people as a support helps you continue what you are doing. They are a back up for when life is brutal and you want to chuck it all away. They are your confidantes and encouragers. They are also those who will love you deeply and tell you the truth about your work, especially when it sucks and needs more work.
In turn, you can teach others and expand the creative community.
Conversation
* talk to people about what you do and why.
You have a cause to champion, a positive reason to speak into people’s lives. It’s not all about you, dominating the conversation about your most recent creative project or endeavour. If people are willing to listen, speak.
However, can you steer the conversation around to what makes your listener creative? Can you open up their mind to the possibilities of a creative project? Can you encourage them to take up an old hobby, long neglected, or aim for something new, something they have always wanted to do?
Legacy
* your work is a testament to others.
It is your character imprinted onto your creative work like children; lived, learned and loved, cherished as valuable and positive traits to have. Your commitment to others as teacher, or encourager, facilitator, supporter, collaborator.
Contribute your verse and know the significance creativity plays in your life and potentially in the life of others.
A Fullness in Brevity - Adam Byatt 