Satish Taseer, son of India’s famous media-person Tavleen Singh, and himself a famous scholar and writer in Oxford, Britain, asks a moot question in his book Stranger to History: A Son’s Journey Through Islamic Lands. The book describes his fractured upbringing with his mother’s family in Delhi, his education in Oxford and his journey later to meet his father Salmaan Taseer for the first time in Pakistan. “Why do we want to know what we want to know?” he asks, answering why he made this long journey through many Islamic countries and finally to Pakistan to see his father for the first time after he grew up.
Indeed, the question was addressed to Aatish Taseer by his professor in Oxford who asked the purpose and benefit of digging into the past for knowledge which was of little use in the present. Like many people, this professor also believed that our search for seemingly irrelevant concepts, ideas and knowledge can be useless and futile. But Aatish was differently made. He was convinced that all the knowledge he collected in his journey and his meeting with his father would surely illuminate his mind and make him a wiser, more aware person. This misconception exists because the general opinion is that only a few chosen people are blessed with creativity. However, this is not true.
Each one of us is gifted with that special eye that sees beyond the obvious and interprets and stores knowledge in our deeper mind’s basket. Thus, creativity is not necessarily inborn, nor is it the gift given to just a few chosen people. Each one of us is entitled to be curious about the world which we live in, observe its varied facets and store knowledge and ideas which interest us and may make us ‘richer’ people some day in the future. From childhood to adult life, we learn to observe the world and build memory blocks in our minds which remain with us life-long.
When you like yourself as a person, that is the best gift you can give yourself. How can you nurture your creativity, alertness, observation, imagination and ability to enhance your golden basket of ideas, concepts and knowledge? Here are some guidelines to be creative in your individual way and make your life a rich and enjoyable experience.
Save your wonderful memories
Save all your memories from childhood and educational years. The love of your parents, the fun you had at school and college and the friendships you built during those formative years will always give you joy and a sense of belonging. Recollect the arts and skills –
however small – which you mastered
in those years. You can now pick up your favourites or useful ones and
hone them.
Be sure to throw out old animosities, grudges and enmities. Instead, be grateful. It is the greatest tribute you can pay to your life, which will change dramatically when you live with a grateful heart. Remember how easy it was to be creative when you were a child? As you grow up, try to acquire new skills and come up with novel ideas.
Be curious, not inquisitive
When you see trees flowering in season, or when you see a drop of rain falling on a tree, then down on the dried leaves under it to rightly flow towards a small rivulet, or birds flying to their nests every golden evening, wonder at the precision of nature’s drama, so beautifully designed. When you see absolutely beautiful architecture such as Lyuten’s New Delhi, Corbusier’s Chandigarh or Louis Kahn’s Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad, wonder at the superb human effort to created perfection. When you walk through the Renaissance precinct of Mumbai’s Fort area, experience the energy of the early British era in Mumbai, ask questions and try to learn more about your surroundings. You may never use this information but you will enrich yourself immensely.
Travel with an open mind and be receptive to the moods of nature. The city where you live will be full of cultural events and exhibitions. Visit such events and listen to experts talk about the research they have made in art, architecture, history and the changing geography of the world. Be sensitive to these and you will learn how the human skill and dedication produces masterpieces in architecture. It is the same with art, music or dance. Admire the art of great masters and try to understand their vision and you will be infinitely richer. Develop an open mind which receives all good things. Ask and you will get the information.
Work for solutions
Get solutions to your problems, misunderstandings and differences rather than be overwhelmed by them. To lose a relationship or friendship is easy; to build one takes all your life. Cherish your friends’ love and respect. Problems will arise daily so learn to solve them or accept them as small hurdles. Think about this. You get dirty and take a bath every day. You get tired and relax every day. Similarly, you have problems that need to be solved every day. Life is a fascinating rhythm of problems and solutions.
Be alert and observant Watch people you admire or respect. What are the qualities which have taken them to the top of their chosen field? Some speak well, others are knowledgeable and yet others spread goodwill in the environment. And some have great people skills. They are born group leaders and can get others to listen to them during discussions. See how you can improve your own presence by their example. Learn to handle crises and challenges as they unfold in life and develop the skill of being on top of all kinds of problems.Make enthusiasm and energy your hallmark.
Be imaginative
Imagination, foresight and memory are great gifts given to human beings. Use these to improve your personality, your work culture and your relationships. Imagine what would create more happiness, contentment and elegance in your life and step by step, move towards these ideas. Be persistent and do not give up this search for the best. Expect that new ideas are always difficult to accept for a large number of people. Go carefully and win your points if you believe in them.
Creative people know it well that people may not be receptive to new ideas. They’ll try to reject them in a number of ways. Creative people are not surprised or frustrated because of this. Nor do they take it personally. They understand it takes time for a new idea to be accepted. In fact, the more creative the idea, the longer it takes for it to be appreciated. Be positive in your outlook and go for the best solutions and ideas.
Be patient
Ideas come from the most unexpected sources and any or all of these can transform your life or change your viewpoint of the world or people or work. Try not to lose your temper or express impatience during meetings or daily events; the world goes around at its own will. You have to go with the world and, at the same time, find your creative nook in the midst of all the din and noise. If an idea seems difficult to implement, don’t give up. Keep meditating on a solution and, sooner or later, you will be able to use it to everyone’s benefit. Create an environment in which ideas can be used without too many problems.
Be open and friendly
Be open to everyone’s inputs of knowledge and experience. If you smile a great deal, you will be the recipient of smiles. Do not bear grudges and old enmities. Only open minds receive the winds of change and a better world. Expect the unexpected and deal with it with a peaceful attitude and skillful thinking. Do not be afraid of making mistakes, except big ones. Think before you leap and you will always have your ‘golden basket’ full of ideas, concepts and resources for you to take the right action. Be happy at work and at home with your family. Take life in your stride and don’t look back except to enjoy wonderful memories. Keep your eyes open for those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and grab them with both hands. Finally, and most importantly, give a patina of spirituality to your mind and you will see the world with new eyes.
