It has been noted that Leonardo Da Vinci, when strolling through the streets of Florence, would often encounter merchants selling caged birds. It was Da Vinci's custom to stop, pay the price for the caged bird, and then open the door, releasing him to the endless blue sky. Thus, the quest for knowledge opens the very door to freedom.
This is a beautiful picture of why creativity is and continues to be important in our world. Humanists Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Clark Moustakis all agree that self-actualization is a development of ones talents becoming what they are capable of becoming. Creativity and self-actualization are closely related as one pursues a lifestyle of creativity. Scientifically, this is engagement of both the left and right sides of the brain. Measuring self-actualization is possible through the Maslowian Scale and other tools; and stronger scores are among those with creativity.
What determines if one is creative or not? According to these same humanists (Rogers/Maslow/Moustakis) one does not need a great creative talent (i.e. music, art, mathematics, athletics, etc.) to identify as creative and live a creative life. Rather, the relationship should be seen as a duel dimension of self-actualization and special talent creativity with both highs and lows over time.
If pursuing my own convictions about creativity and its importance, I like to think of the opening story of Da Vinci, setting free the caged bird. In my own journey of schooling, I felt (at times) I was placed in a cage because of the structures of the time. School felt mostly about complying to expectations; working towards a grade which deemed worthy of what I did or did not seem to have mastered. Intentional or not... this did not encourage me to think creatively in the school setting. If anything, it fostered a fear of making mistakes. It wasn't until middle school, when I began to be curious about music. It became the open door to my cage.
My mother always played piano in our home growing up, so, I guess you could say music has always been "a part" of who I was--but to call it my own "creative talent" did not happen until middle school. My band director, Mr. Gambrell, noticed my curiosity about the saxophone. I would ask multiple questions, which might have seemed annoying or selfish in a class of nearly 40, but he would always entertain my thoughts. I then began to wonder why other instruments performed in different keys yet could sound the same. Why did the notes on my band directors music were much more complex than my part. Why did my part often double with the french horn. And it was question after question that I began to understand how freeing it felt to pursue my "Curiosita". Even if I didn't have an answer and my pursuit only warranted more questions than answers, I knew this was my special talent to grow into the creative person I am today.
This isn't to say we have arrived at self-actualization when finding our special talent. In fact, with our pursuit to fly like the bird no longer caged, we will find ourselves with blocks to creativity. There are several blocks to our creativity which include: habits/learning, rules/traditions, perceptual blocks, cultural blocks, emotional blocks, resource barriers, and idea squelchers. Here are some examples of blocks I have encountered over time and/or witnessed in the lives of those around me:
It is impossible for everyone to find what they love to do and get paid for it.
Not every classroom can offer creativity into its content.
Being a musician for life is only for the elite, star performers.
Poverty is a cycle and will continue to be a cycle.
Making mistakes is nothing to celebrate.
Such blocks to creativity only place the bird back in his cage, for which he was never intended for. Might we all let our "Curiosita" guide us to a greater awareness of self and what we are truly capable of. That we were meant to fly.
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