The document explores creativity as an expression of the soul and a pathway to personal joy and liberation. It emphasizes the intrinsic and diverse nature of creativity through various examples, highlighting the importance of self-belief and inspiration from nature. Additionally, it discusses practical methods and the mindset required to nurture creativity, along with a unique acronym summarizing its core elements.

1. ☻ Creativity ☻ – A Perspective Expression of the Soul Joy Liberation A Step Closer to “God” ©Nirmala Palaniappan, April 8 th , 2007, Email : nirmala (dot) pal (at) gmail (dot) com

2. ● Agenda ● Part 1 of 3 – Lights… Part 2 of 3 – Camera… Part 3 of 3 – Action! Spotlight - Random thoughts on creativity Snapshots – Some Examples Making the mov(i)e - Being creative….

3. Presenting… The colours of creativity! Important Note: Many of the pictures in this presentation have been borrowed from free sources like newsletters, email forwards and databases of images on the internet. Some pictures have been shot by this author. Wherever applicable, a separate note has been provided to indicate the source of the picture Part 1 of 3 – Lights… Spotlight - Random thoughts on creativity

4. ● Creativity’s role in life ● Expression of the Soul Joy Liberation A Step Closer to “God” “ Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” - Franklin Roosevelt

5. Creativity comes from an infinite source…. Not from what’s outside you… But from what’s within you! “ Dig within. Within is the wellspring of good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.” - Marcus Aurelius

6. In the depths of one’s thoughts lies creativity In the valley of uncertainty lies creativity “ The world is but a canvas to our imaginations” — Henry David Thoreau

7. Creativity is an ocean that invites you to take the plunge "There is no limit to what a man can achieve as long as he doesn't care who get's the credit" - Bob Woodruff, Coca Cola. A creative soul rarely needs anything else…!

8. Creativity is a tide You can ride on it when you’re on a high Or be prepared to surrender yourself when it takes over “ The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” - Edwin H. Land

9. Asterix and Obelix – By Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." - Michelangelo Buonarrotti Asterix and Obelix – By Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny What seems like hard work to one may seem like pure joy to another; and that can be attributed to passion and creativity

10. Creativity gives birth to creativity “ Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” - John Steinbeck Photo by Nirmala Palaniappan

11. Curiosity may kill the cat, but Creativity gives it a new and ‘wilder’ life!  Creativity is the manifestation of a lack of desire to be logical all the time…. Photo by Nirmala Palaniappan

12. Creativity comes when in solitude Intrinsic motivation Creativity comes when in a group Synergy, Triggers, Associations Hobbes the Tiger - Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

13. Presenting… The colours of creativity! Important Note: Many of the pictures in this presentation have been borrowed from free sources like newsletters, email forwards and databases of images on the internet. Some pictures have been shot by this author. Wherever applicable, a separate note has been provided to indicate the source of the picture Part 2 of 3 – Camera… Snapshots –Some Examples

14. Some creative pursuits… The right-brain activities: Writing Drawing, Painting Cartooning Sculpturing Product Design Photography Music Movies – Most areas of movie-making Problem-solving ( in any field ) Animation Movies are great examples of creativity Mickey Mouse - By Walt Disney

15. ● Some role models ● Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Vincent van Gogh Mozart Beethoven William Shakespeare Walt Disney The Beatles P G Wodehouse Steven Spielberg Bill Watterson Organizations - Apple, Ideo, Ikea, Google Calvin - Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

16. ● Lord Ganesha ● D ivine Inspiration The Indian God of success. The God who lends himself to creativity – art of any form. Ganesha has been made out of every material that one can possibly imagine; Rice grains to clay to glass to flowers to wood to stone to natural materials like sea shells et al. He has also been drawn in millions of forms – designs vary from a few simple brush strokes to modern art drawings to sophisticated and elaborate sketches….. What could be the reasons why he lends himself to such divergent forms of art? Popularity based on Indian mythology, His purpose as the God of success, His simple form, and His unique looks……not necessarily in the same order.

17. Presenting… The colours of creativity! Important Note: Many of the pictures in this presentation have been borrowed from free sources like newsletters, email forwards and databases of images on the internet. Some pictures have been shot by this author. Wherever applicable, a separate note has been provided to indicate the source of the picture Part 3 of 3 - Action Making the mov(i)e - Being creative….

18. ● Inspiration ● Believe, from the bottom of your heart, that you can be creative - that you have what it takes….! You must want to be creative so badly that life is forced into giving you enough and more opportunities to be creative; You’ll find them everywhere…even if they’re in life’s small print! Creativity means self-belief. It is about relying on the divine power within you! Draw inspiration from nature. From the sky, clouds, birds, trees, insects, flowers, water, mountains……

19. ● Getting into the creative mood ● Dream. Imagine. Or just watch the world go by. Observe nature. Meditate. Look inward. Don’t be afraid to fail and be seen as “silly” Go back to being a baby; Do your own thing Be a cartoon freak…they teach you to imagine, have fun, be yourself and lots more… Don’t ever look forward to or hinge on the results. Focusing on the results takes away the joy of creativity and puts you on a leash that controls your creativity

20. ● Creativity – The three elements ● Mind Creativity is a state of mind - Physically (use of right brain) and metaphorically (beliefs) Methods and Techniques Brainstorming, paradox thinking, analogy-building, and divergent thinking, serendipitous browsing on the internet, random readings on unknown topics Creativity is - paradoxically – both about using methods and letting go of all methods Tools Mind maps, collages, creativity games, brainstorming tools that facilitate serendipity, etc

21. ● Summary of Creativity ● An ‘acronym’ view C onnecting the seemingly unrelated R adical thinking E nthusiasm A spiration to do something different T ryst with one’s soul I nspiration derived from anywhere but originating from within V ariety - Divergent thinking I nward looking activity; No benchmarks, no boundaries T oying with the weirdest of ideas; Away from traditional thinking Y in and Yang combination that y ields magical results ©Nirmala Palaniappan, April 8th, 2007, Email: nirmala (dot) pal (at) gmail (dot) com *****The End*****