On Life 69 – Creativity – March 21, 2015

   We frequently hear the words “creativity” and “creative”. We wonder if creativity has to do with special capacities or concepts and if any person can be creative. Creativity is defined as inventing something in an unprecedented manner and that it is, “a new, original, beneficial, and socially accepted mental product which provides a logical solution for a problem.” In all cases, creativity is a new vision which others do not realize, or seeing old matters in a new, different way. Creativity encompasses all the fields of life, from the simplest to the most complex. Yet, all of them are a pursuit of goodness, not destruction.

   Creativity requires that you have a true desire to be distinguished from others. Whoever follows others’ suit only reaches the same ends. He might not even reach them. Thus, the creative have enough courage to discover new ways in life and solve problems. There is a great difference between courage and indiscretion. The creative do not have one style; they always seek alternative solutions.

   Therefore, man needs creativity to utilize his great mental powers, to train himself on thinking and concentration. In addition, he continues trying without despair until he reaches creativity, which requires patience and diligent work: for there is no such a thing as failure in life. Life is made up of cumulative experiences which will sure lead to what the creative person aspires. Nobody presents a good thing after the first trial. Rather, life is made up of lots of toil and trials to reach one’s goals. It is said there is nothing necessary for attaining any sort of success except perseverance.

   A creative person also bears in mind that dreams and hopes are unlimited. In fact, man can do and develop more. If dreams had a limit, man would not reach the moon or fly above continents. We would not have seen such great technological advance. It is said, “If you do not do more than you excel at, you will never develop.” Dreams carry us far away; so we yearn to reach them. So, try to excel yourself. Think and dream big. Work diligently to realize your dreams. In effect, you will be creative. Creativity starts with a small dream which is made a reality by work. Some people say that success is not measured by man’s position, but by the difficulties he overcomes. Here, it is worthy to add that true success is measured by the difficulties you have overcome through your work and creativity.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center