“Clouding” creativity

When was the last time you stared into the sky and imagined the cloud as a dinosaur, marshmallow, or a snake carrying a lunch box? For my two-year-old, the answer is today, this morning… and five minutes ago. (Here he is pictured right in his newest invention: his tent.)

I’m envious of children. The world is so new. There are no worries, just now. Everything is exciting and could be something it may not. Children’s minds are always open to creative experiences.

Exercising your creative ability comes in all shapes and sizes. For children, it’s often through everyday events – sunsets, clouds, roly-poly’s in the backyard. For adults, it can be more difficult to see the creative opportunities that surround us each and every day as we whirl through the days.

Pausing life for just a moment to take in the world, even if for mere minutes, can serve as a reenergizing and creative outlet to you at the workplace. (A special thanks to a long-time friend and artist, Alex Raffi, who has helped me come to appreciate this creative process over the years.)

I challenge us all, including myself, to take two minutes (set a timer for yourself if needed) to look into the sky and imagine shapes in the clouds just once a day to reconnect with your inner creative person. Let the sky cloud-IN your creativity.

In fact, take a look outside now and take a moment for yourself. What do you see? Me? …a checkerboard.