You can criticize, analyze, even monetize your earnest efforts, but why you do it is not as important as simply doing it.

It is not about the medium, or the method; it’s not even about the finished product or the process. When it comes down to it, the purpose of creating is to create. That’s it. That’s all. That is everything.

Each of us has an innate need for satisfaction and accomplishment. Nothing is better for the psyche or elevates spirits more than participating in something worthwhile. Unfortunately, we can often end up unchallenged in a chosen profession, or underappreciated in a dead-end job. In times like this you look for something to stay motivated.

This is when you get creative.

I’m not going to define creativity. I will say it is not all about art. In business you can demonstrate creativity by crafting an effective proposal. Creativity is also labelled as efficiency when someone arrives at a new solution to the same old problem. Come budget time, politicians will always find creative ways of presenting deeds or deficits (we might even use creative accounting in our own tax returns).

There are many ways to look at creativity, but what counts is how you use your imagination to broaden the mind and, ultimately, your life.

Creating something, especially the act of creating, takes you to a place more intense than what we generally allow. Our bodies and brains work differently. We use the right side of our grey matter when we attempt something artistic, or musical, or literal. The left side is more for finance, and routine; the meat and potatoes, bring-home-the-bacon, feed-the-mortgage type of stuff. These are mundane tasks often completed thanklessly and worthlessly.

It seems logical, but it is not. It is nearly impossible to figure out.

There are so many factions of creativity: culinary skills, visual or performing arts, prose, watercolours, pottery or sculpture, and music. It could be cross stitch or crochet, anything that gets your mind clicking and blood boiling. It is everything that stokes that feral imagination.

Creativity cuts to the core of your being, right down the marrow of the moment when nothing else matters and everything counts.

Find something you are passionate about, then do it. Better yet, do something you don’t think you can do, and surprise yourself.

Get creative.

Photo: Bonsai sculpture by Lenore Amy