There are a tremendous amount of very talented people on the internet. It’s a statement that may seem obvious, but there are a number who shine brighter than others. Creative and with a heart: that’s Adriene Joyce, or, as she seems to often prefer, Sweepy Jean. She is a poet, editor and a great online friend and supporter.
She recently started up a new venture: the Third Sunday Blog Carnival. You can also find her at Sweepy Jean Explores the (Webby) World Check it out and support a woman who strives to live creatively
The Creativity Series: Guest Post
Creativity Within: Adriene Joyce
I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to talk about creativity on Stuart’s blog. When I first “met” Stu, it became clear early on that I was in the presence of someone who takes his creativity seriously. For his efforts, he produces a lot of good work across genres and disciplines, which serves as an example of what we can all strive for.
For those of you who don’t think you have a creative bone in your body, think again.
Human beings are naturally creative, and evidence of it goes back to the beginning of time through the sheer act of survival. How else is it that we have coped with our environment? As a species, our creativity has led us to the invention of the wheel, the crafting of tools, and to the development of technology. On an individual level, human infants quickly learn the types of behaviors and interactions with others that will increase their chances of getting their physical and emotional needs met.
We build upon these skills throughout childhood and beyond. If we’re doing it right, we never stop coming up with creative ideas for living. I almost think we can’t help but to live creative lives.
Parents find creative ways to teach their children all the time. Planning meals and budgeting our money are creative acts. Even people who have “uninteresting” jobs or jobs that require repetition use their creativity to figure out ways to perform them as efficiently as possible. The list goes on and on.
What about for those of us with a calling to the “fine” arts? As is true of all artists, my work as a poet is influenced by everyday, ordinary life. For me poetry is a creative way to communicate my version of the truth to others.
It’s what all humans do: We tell our stories and compare and contrast them, hoping to arrive at what life really means.
Adriene’s latest creative pursuit is the Third Sunday Blog Carnival for poetry, fiction, and essays on writing. You can find her on Twitter @sweepyjean
