Creativity is dangerous because it is transformative

Creativity grows. It transforms. Pulls solutions out of the aether and makes them real. Stitches things together in stronger ways. It resists. It holds up mirrors. It cuts with laser persission. It topples empires.

We have been taught that creativity is hard. That it is only for some and not others. That it must show up in specific narrow little ways. That we should fear being creative, letting our creativity be seen, felt and heard. Unless we are following all the rules.

It’s a scary thing. Dangerous.

It’s dangerous if you’re invested in upholding the status quo. We live in a society that works hard to control and dictate creativity. And it’s killing us. Killing the planet.

Creativity, the act of creation, is a celebration of life and living. At least it should be. But we have twisted it up and use it to cause harm. Someone’s creativity gave us endless ways to harm each other. Dangerous.

Someone’s creativity gave us music, life saving medicines and mushrooms that eat radiation. (That one is a form of evolution. But isn’t evolution creativity? I think so.)

We are naturally creative. We are acts of creation in progress.

When creativity is constricted, forced to conform to harmful norms, we get endless ways to do harm.

When creativity is free to flow we get art in all its forms, new technologies, endless ways to thrive and find joy. Dangerous. At least to the abusive systems we are living in.

Every time we create something, whether it is art/craft, a response/expression or a solution, we change the world. I know it doesn’t always feel like it or look like we’ve made the smallest difference at all, but we have. Systems, beliefs and social norms that thrive off of our oppression/suffering/silence know this. That is why so many traditional/normal things our designed to make us dull.

It’s not easy remaining sharp and bright. Not because creativity itself is hard, but because we inundated with muck try and stop us being freely creative.

I know what kind of danger I am.

What kind of danger are you? Are you sharpening your tools or letting them rust and rot?

Being your natural creative self will shake up your life in all kinds of ways. Ways that bring you joy. Ways that make you uncomfortable. And do that to the people around you.