Creative Spirit Blog July 15, 2026" Being Open to New Ideas

Obstacles Along Life's Road Collage

“One of the most extraordinary aspects of our humanity is our capacity to learn, grow, and change.”                                                       Sheryl Chard

Personal evolution is a lifelong, continuous process fueled by our experiences, choices, and desire to adapt. As long as we are alive and well, we have the capacity to learn, change, and evolve. We are constantly able to acquire new skills, read, and reshape our perspectives.

Creativity resides within each of us, so it is never too late to tap into our “creative spirit” and develop it more fully. It also has many health benefits. The adult brain physically rewires and forms new neural pathways when we learn new skills which is so great for us as we age! Life experience also give adults a unique advantage when creating. They allow us to reflect on richer, deeper perspectives and observations.

However, it is all about mindset. About being open to innovative ideas and our willingness to listen, consider, and evaluate fresh concepts, perspectives, and changes. 

Creativity is usually defined in terms of imagination and innovation, especially related to the production of artwork. Yet creativity is not just about “the arts.” It is about living our lives in an “artful way”. It is about possessing curiosity, the ability to observe keenly, and a passion to move life forward in new ways. It means trying something different in how we make and weave meaning and richness into our daily lives.

I love learning and trying new things. It is how I grow. Maybe I will incorporate these new ideas, processes, or techniques into my work, or maybe I will find they don’t work for me. Better yet, they could spur an idea on altering what I learned to make it fit. You build new knowledge from learned knowledge.

Experimentation in art is the mechanism which allows us “creators” to break free from rigid conventions and discover our own unique visual voices. By testing new mediums, tools, and processes, we are able to uncover interesting techniques and embrace "happy accidents" that push our artistic boundaries forward. 

In the world of art, staying in our comfort zone can limit our potential and prevent our work from evolving. Experimentation allows us to break free from repetition and challenges us to create something new. As we venture into uncharted territory, we uncover hidden skills and open creative possibilities. When we experiment, we often find our unique voice, setting our work apart from others.

Experimentation also trains our brain to think creatively about overcoming obstacles. Whether it is figuring out how to layer colors without muddiness or perfecting a new stencil technique, problem-solving starts to become second nature. It also shakes things up by giving us permission to play and make mistakes. It unlocks the creative flow needed to produce our best work.

It would enrich everyone’s life if we all involved ourselves in one of the arts, because that would be that big health benefit mentioned earlier. Creative activities function as a natural prescription for our well-being. They reduce stress hormones, alleviate anxiety, and stimulate the brain to build those new neural pathways so necessary for healthy aging. But note, the healing process comes from the act of creating itself, not the product, so artistic expertise is not required.

Be open to new ideas!  Carolyn

“Art is not a thing, it is a way.” – Elbert Hubbar

If you are in the area of the HUB on Canal, in New Smyrna Beach Thursday July 16th come to our Q & A at 5:30. The posted painting at the start of this blog will be discussed.