I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where they come to. They come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again.
Philip PullmanRead
Whether we are poets or parents or teachers or artists or gardeners, we must start where we are and use what we have. In the process of creation and relationship, what seems mundane and trivial may show itself to be a holy, precious part of a pattern.
Interpretation
Embrace your current situation and resources to create meaningful relationships and art.
This quote highlights the importance of starting from our present circumstances, no matter how ordinary they may seem. It suggests that in our roles as creators or caregivers, what we initially perceive as mundane can reveal deeper significance and beauty when we engage with it authentically, thus making our contributions truly worthwhile.
In practice
To inspire students, a teacher might share this quote while discussing the importance of using available resources for projects.
I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where they come to. They come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again.
To realize our true creative potential - in our organizations, in our schools and in our communities - we need to think differently about ourselves and towards each other. We must learn to be creative.
Where do new ideas come from? The answer is simple: differences. While there are many theories of creativity, the only tenet they all share is that creativity comes from unlikely juxtapositions. The best way to maximize differences is to mix ages, cultures, and disciplines.
Everything that's created comes out of silence. Your thoughts emerge from the nothingness of silence. Your words come out of this void. Your very essence emerged from emptiness. All creativity requires some stillness.
You need courage to be creative. You need the courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone, if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.
If you know what you're looking for, that's all you'll get - what's previously known. But when you're open to what's possible, you get something new - that's creativity.
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