“Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
What a passionate statement. Whether or not your medium is writing, this speaks to the core of a Creative Personality. It wreaks of authenticity – that place where the depth of one’s soul has found its truest expression then offers that expression back in an attempt to bring light into a darkened world. Purpose found and fleshed out, no matter the consequences.
In an article published in Psychology Today entitled “The Creative Personality,” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi lists ten qualities in which Creatives easily flow in order to live their most authentic life. We will look at each of these in the coming weeks:
- Creative people have a great deal of physical energy (when they are inspired), but they’re also often quiet and at rest.
- Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.
- Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
- Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
- Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.
- Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
- Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping. This is not a statement concerning sexual identity, but rather a much wider concept referring to a person’s ability to be at the same time aggressive and nurturant, sensitive and rigid, dominant and submissive, regardless of gender.
- Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.
- Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
- Creative people’s openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
Why do I list these qualities? Because unleashing the creative bent within us all is my passion. The very first attribute we learn about God is that He is Creator, and we are created in His image. A highly Creative person sees what is not (but should be) and works to bring it into existence. However, for many Creatives, we have been shut down over the years. Sometimes through a misguided morality in others; sometimes from our own fears, insecurities, and misinformation; and sometimes through spiritual forces that seek to suppress the true activity of the Holy Spirit.
I asked myself the question posed to us in the quote by Rilke, “Would you rather die if you were forbidden to write?” My honest answer was, “On many levels, I already have.” Over the last five years, I have put my writing aside because of the visceral attack that came at me when I attempted to be my most authentic self. I didn’t understand the culture that I was in and its necessity to maintain its sense of security. I just saw the need and wanted to use my gift to bring healing and hope to people in pain. Have lessons been learned? – certainly. But the greatest lesson that I have learned is that if I stop writing so that others can find healing, the pain within my soul becomes something I am unwilling to carry. Take courage, Creative One – the world needs your gift.
And you need to offer it.
Psychology Today article:
https://www.psychologytoday.