The Character of Creativity

Finding Your Character

According to one belief, we are all born creative, but, the ability to remain creative after childhood is lost to many of us.  What I have discovered is that perhaps some of this comes down to character.  We all know when pursuing a goal, it can be all too easy to fall sway to doubt.  Doubt causes one to abandon the pursuit and give up.

The Creative Process

Facing Uncertainty

Following the initial excitement of pursuing a desire or intention, we usually find ourselves in a space of uncertainty.  What most do not realize is that this is part of the creative tension that fuels the process.  This is what I learned about having the right desire, not knowing where to begin, and, uncertainty.  They are all part of what stimulates a chemical reaction that activates the power of imagination.  It seems the creative process is mediated by something magical.

I attribute this to the alchemical combination of the right desire, focus and this tension that gets the attention of the creative imagination.  Being in the space of desire and not knowing or having this uncertainty is what stimulates the imagination.  The chemical reactions that result activate the power or the force that make things happen.  The irony is that the uncertainty of not necessarily knowing where you are going is also what fuels the process.

Trust the Process

This requires trust in the process or what Keats called ‘Negative capability” capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason”.  Creativity is the process of bringing something forth.  That includes a spiral of excitement and disillusionment filled with self- doubt and elation.  We need to learn how to navigate and stay the course in order to access the power or magic of imagination that fuels creativity.  Joseph Campbell calls it “the black moment” he said, it’s at the “darkest moments when the real the gold of the work becomes apparent.

Your Creative Power

In that sense I believe we need to cultivate having the right character which is clearly part of the missing link in learning how to let the magic work.  We  can summarize elements of the right character to optimize creativity as:

• Persistence
• Courage
• Faith
• Positive Mood

Goethe offers the following profound advice along these lines.  “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.  Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.  Begin it now”.  Providence is another word for the power or force that emerges from the burning desire, the inciting incident that sets it all into motion.