Creative People Make Things: They Make Meaning

Creative people make things. They make meaning. It’s the reason they make anything.

What Do You Have to Say for Yourself? and for Others?

Some day you won’t be here, but you’re here today and that’s a gift. You ought to have something to say about it. When you’re being creative, when you’re making things, you’re really making meaning because you’re engaged in the process of discovering and expressing what it means to you to be alive.

You’re learning to see and hear and feel. You’re learning to share what you’ve noticed, where you’ve been, and what you’ve learned. And by doing so, you’re reaching out to others, offering them the deepest truths you can summon.

It’s Frightening, but So What?

Yeah, it can be scary, but who wants to live in fear?

Fear keeps us undecided and uncommitted. It tells us not to try. It convinces us that standing still is better than stumbling. It begs us to give up when things don’t go as planned.

And it lies to us, telling us it’s somehow better, cooler, safer, smarter, more professional, more regal or sophisticated to keep all that stuff bottled up inside than it is to express it through the act of creation.

Fear’s a Foolish Advisor

Fear says, “Creativity is only for geniuses.” Fear says, “Creativity is only for crazy people.” Fear is a damned fool.

If creativity is only for geniuses and crazy people, then we’re all crazy geniuses because creativity’s for everyone. If you’re a human being, you have the right to make meaning.

Meaning Must Be Made

And it’s not something you can wait for. You can’t sit on a couch or at your cubicle and hope that it one day walks through the door, grabs you by the arm, and drags you where you need to be. You have to go out, dig it up, and live it. You have to build it as best you can with the tools you have.

Nudging Fear Out of Your Way

But here’s the funny thing. It’s really not that hard. It’s so easy to begin. It only takes one step, it only takes one minute, it only takes an ounce of energy to move things forward.

You don’t have to kick fear’s ass; you just have to give it a nudge.

“Excuse me, please,” you whisper, “I have work to do.” Nudge.

If it doesn’t budge, you do it again. “Excuse me, please. I have things to make.” Nudge, nudge.

Then again. “I’m serious. I have something I need to create.” Insert shove here.

You keep nudging and shoving, doing your work, investing your energy and imagination, gently telling fear you’ll listen to it later – when you’re finished.

And one day, you’ll find you’re more confident, more motivated, more courageous. You’ll turn to fear and say, “I really don’t think you’ve been listening. I have some very important things to do.” Then you’ll slam the door in its face.

It might stand outside the door, listening in, but it will know you mean business, because you’re all about the business of making meaning.

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