Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Big Magic”, is about “creative living”. What is that?
…when I refer to “creative living”….I’m talking about a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.
Well, I think that really is a key – we are so driven by fear, and fear is used as such a tool to control whole populations these days. To be driven by curiosity rather than fear strikes me as likely to completely alter our view of the world.
Take health care for example. So much health care is generated by fear – fear of dying, fear of getting cancer, fear of getting this disease, or that disease. It creates a whole ethos and it’s sure not a positive one. What if we underpinned our healthcare with curiosity instead? What if we consciously sought out experiences which were nourishing, nurturing, stimulating, life enhancing? Would that lead to healthier lives instead of lives of avoidance?
I do believe a creative life is a richer life. Here’s what Elizabeth Gilbert says –
A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.
That reminded me of a book I read a long time ago – Robert Solomon’s “Joy of Philosophy” – where he juxtaposes a “thin” life with a “passionate” one. His use of the metaphors of thin vs thick throughout that book struck me as original and clear. Who wants a “thin life”?
Elizabeth goes on to explain in a little more depth what she means by “creative living” –
The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them. The hunt to uncover those jewels – that’s creative living.
Ooh, I love that. What a lovely metaphor! We really do all have unique and wonderful treasures buried within us. In fact, I don’t think it is possible to fully mine the depths of any individual human being, but what jewels lie there waiting to be discovered when we take the time to explore!
The courage to go on that hunt in the first place – that’s what separates a mundane existence from a more enchanted one.
Yep, it might take courage, but what else are you going to do with all that fear that is thrown at you in this world?
And who wants a “mundane existence”?
Just found your blog in my reader on wordpress and I really enjoyed your essay on living a creative life filled with curiosity. You are certainly right about how our fear can drive us if we don’t mind our thoughts. Thanks for sharing and have a awesome day.
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