Creative Thoughts on Creativity

There are days when I am barely able to think, let alone be creative. Today was certainly one of them. Two meetings sapped the energy of the day, leaving me frustrated, drained and aggravated.

Then I get home and I want to write. But how to write with such negative emotions still swirling around in me? One way to still them is to read the good thinking of others, to let their words soak into me and cleanse away the badness of the day. Here are some of my favorites about creativity:

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.
-A.A. Milne, author (ah, Pooh! So wise!)

Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.
G.K. Chesterton, author (my favorite saying, I think. Now to just remember it on days like today)

You cannot govern the creative impulse; all you can do is to eliminate obstacles and smooth the way for it. -Kimon Nicolaides, artist born in 1892

If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head almost nothing.
-Marc Chagall, artist (I understand this. It's the intuitive drive that creates)

Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.
-Edwin Land (I like this guy!) invented Polaroid camera

Flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.
-Dale Carnegie (Ah. Not the other flaming thing...)

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.
-Nietzsche (got plenty of chaos, where's the star?)

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
-Bill Cosby, comedian (Amen, Bill!)

God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars.
-Elbert Hubbard, author (Okay, this makes sense. Plenty of scars to show.)

Eighty percent of success is showing up.
-Woody Allen, actor and author (Hmmm. I'd rather be creative than successful, I suppose.)

The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
-Albert Einstein (bad Al!)

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
–Albert Einstein (the man is a poet)

"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor."
-Albert Einstein again (well, he was one creative dude, but I sort of hunger for elegance.)