Creative? Not Me! But Everyone Can be Creative!

Are you creative? Most people would show surpriseconsidered 'creative'. That's where we go wrong.
before answering this question because not everyoneThere's an old story about two stonecutters sitting in
believes that he/she is creative. According to popularthe village side-by-side working at their craft. A curious
perception, the really creative people are only thepasser-by stops and asks both of them, “What are
artists, sculptors, writers, poets, singers, musicians,you doing?” The first stonecutter replies, “I'm
dancers and actors. Others who can be added to thiscutting a block of stone to get some money to feed
list include all craftspersons and some professionals likemy family”. The second says, “I'm creating part
architects. Unfortunately, accountants cannot be calledof the foundation of our new temple.”
creative simply because 'creative accounting' meansOsho says everything you do, can become creative,
cooking the account books!"Creativity has nothing to do with any activity in
At first sight, the list of creative persons does notparticular - with painting, poetry, dancing, singing. It has
include labourers, farmers, cleaners, traders,nothing to do with anything in particular. Anything can
businessmen, industrialists, bankers and, especially, civilbe creative - you bring that quality to the activity.
servants. But on second thoughts, traders,Activity itself is neither creative nor uncreative. You
businessmen and industrialists display great deal ofcan paint in an uncreative way. You can sing in an
imagination, ingenuity and creativity - sometimesuncreative way. You can clean the floor in a creative
bordering on unfair and unethical practices - in theirway. You can cook in a creative way. Creativity is the
daily lives. Similarly, civil servants and the police arequality that you bring to the activity you are doing. It is
required to follow set procedures and rules andan attitude, an inner approach - how you look at
implement them amounting to dull, routine tasks. Yetthings."
they show a great deal of flair, resourcefulness andSo why should only the so-called 'creative' people get
brightness in solving administrative hurdles - andall the praise, respect and honours when everybody
sometimes in enriching themselves. But the manualcan be creative. Just change your thinking and
workers toiling day after day, are not normallyconvince yourself, "Of course,I am very creative!