Ad - leaderboard

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Tool for the over 50: The compass of creativity.

What is worth doing with the experience of a lifetime? I rage at the "out to pasture golfer" scenario that many dream of at the prospect of retirement. Travel, while stimulating one's sense of adventure does little for the well traveled; I don't dream of endlessly staring at yet an other gothic this or bizantine that.
I do dream of creating, inventing; reassembling my life's work into something new and possibly useful. This is not supprising, since research shows that as the brain slows, the two sides of the brain collaborate more and more bringing a more creative twist to thinking.


Why is creativity the best tool when entering the third stage of life?
Creativity, the expression of self actualization and means of connecting in
conversation with the world through the imagination, originality and
innovation
brought forth by the individualistic self in artistic and
inventive works,
offers several benefits:

Encourages the mind to continually see the world in new ways.
Nurtures problem solving skills.
Helps to process and work through emotional issues.
Fosters community involvement leading to the lessening of depression and loneliness.
Connects the inner spiritual self to the physical world in giving the spirit a tangible voice.
Promotes physical activity.
Source Creativity_and_Aging_Wellness

A study: http://www.arts.gov/resources/Accessibility/CnA-Rep4-30-06.pdf

Five steps for developing your creativity:
I'd like to share with you five suggestions for developing creativity from the work of Brehony:
1. Keep a daily journal as practiced by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way
2. Try to keep two questions in the forefront of your mind: “What did I most love to do when I was about ten years old or so” and “What would I do with my time if I won a lottery and was financially set for the rest of my life?”
3. Listen to your inner voice and fight off negative thoughts such as, this is a stupid idea, I can’t do this, or I don’t have time for this.
4. Associate with people who will support your creative process
5. Turn off your TV.

Mid life crisis creativity source: happiness-after-midlife.com/midlife-crisis-symptoms.html