The importance of creativity in society cannot be overstated, as it is the fuel for all human progress. Creativity fuels the soul and inspires us emotionally, physically, and most importantly, spiritually.
Creativity brings joy, laughter, and fulfillment to our lives if we can remember to be creative in all we do. Artists (caricatures, drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.), musicians, dancers, writers, photographers, designers, actors, comedians, cooking, fashion, or storytellers are not the only ways we can show up for life in a creative manner.
In fact, engineers, physicists, doctors, accountants, and teachers all have to implore creativity in their work just as much as traditional creative work does.
According to Psychology Today, they suggest creativity as, “It’s usually defined in terms of imagination and innovation and especially related to the production of artwork. Yet creativity isn’t necessarily about art per se but is a quality of being artful. It’s about how we make and weave meaning and richness into our days. Being creative means possessing curiosity, the ability to observe keenly, and a passion for innovation to move about in space and time in new ways. It means trying something different, which requires us to take the leap to trust our intuition so we can play in the unknown.
In academe, we need to teach and write in ways that reveal a depth of interpretation, that demonstrate meaning-making, that forge connections, that push the boundaries of existing modes of thought, and that play with new questions and ideas. When it comes to teaching, we might create a new course that invigorates us as teachers. Such new preparations breathe new energy into teaching and keep us engaged as lifelong learners, an important thing to model for students.
It’s advantageous to approach our responsibilities as creatively as possible, as doing so will enhance work-life balance. When we drop down into the most creative oasis within ourselves, we’re able to experience unleashed freedom, timelessness, flow, and energy in ways that life looks light-filled, colorful, and more spacious than ever before,”.
What is music therapy
As a musician and lover of music, this is especially interesting to me. Furthermore, since I have been an athlete and an active person all of my life, too, I deal with overworked injuries that I address both holistically as well as with healthcare professionals like an orthopedist, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, and an acupuncturist. Music is a big part of the holistic piece.
Recently, I read an article from Harvard Health that talked about non-invasive pain relief techniques, including “Music therapy. Studies have shown that music can help relieve pain during and after surgery and childbirth. Classical music has proven to work especially well, but there’s no harm in trying your favorite genre — listening to any kind of music can distract you from pain or discomfort,”.
By definition, music therapy, from Musicians Without Borders, who have witnessed the healing power of music around the world, “The power of music sounds different in each of our programs, adapted to needs and culture, and in collaboration with local musicians and partners.
One approach we use in our projects is music therapy, which is a powerful and evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses music to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Whether through listening, singing, playing instruments, composing, or interacting with music as a group, music therapy can help individuals achieve healing and improve their quality of life and build resilience against hardships,”.
The University of Michigan reports reasons why creativity is important to society, with the following findings, “The creative process is often thought to be related to artistic activities, but in reality creativity can occur in any area. This idea has been presented by psychologist Howard Gardner who introduced the theory of multiple intelligences during the last quarter of the 20th century. He stated that every area of intellectual development is an opportunity for creativity. This includes linguistic, logical/mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist.
The essence of creativity is not the modality within which one works, but the process of using the imagination to produce original ideas. It is this process of making new connection that appears to have the therapeutic effect, whether it is in music, words, movement or mathematics. Participating in creative activity stimulates the brain by making new neurological connections, which improves the mood and increases mental flexibility, improving problems solving skills,”.
Is creativity genetic or learned
I believe it is genetic, yet also a learned skill. Just as an athlete might be gifted in a particular sport, they still have to practice to perfect their talent. And even though I did not grow up with my father, his instrument-playing skills were passed down to me, his only child.
My mom had a talent for singing, but as she said, she couldn’t play an instrument to save her life, so it must “come from your father!” My grandmother was a beautiful singer as well and tried many ways to learn the piano, but to no avail; she just could not get it.
On the other hand, as I entered middle school, I immediately joined the concert band. I quickly became proficient with all the percussion instruments, including the xylophone and the snare drum. Was it my competitive nature? Or was it an inherited talent? I believe it was both.
The National Library of Medicine states that, “Creativity, art and artistic creation in music, dance and visual arts are brain activities specific to humans. Their genetic background remained unexplored for years, but many recent studies have uncovered significant associations with cognition-related genes…Creativity is a trait with heavy genetic influences, which are also associated with mental disorders and altruism…
Music is another complex phenotype with important genetic background. Studies in musicians and their families have highlighted the contribution of loci (e.g., 4q22) and specific genes (vasopressin receptor 1α and serotonin transporter). The latter two are also associated with dancing.
Although few studies have investigated visual arts, they appear to be influenced by genetic differences, which could explain the increased prevalence of synesthesia in artists and individuals with autism. Lastly, although genes play an important role in creativity and art, epigenetics and the environment should not be overlooked,”.
Just as I guessed, creativity is probably both inherited and learned.
Importance of creativity in society
In conclusion, creativity is both a birthright and a practice — woven into our DNA yet sharpened through experience. Whether healing, innovating, or connecting, it remains one of humanity’s most vital and transformative forces.