Intentional Tuesdays

For the past three weeks, we’ve been exploring the concept of Creativity, with the following key premises…

1. Each of us is Creative
2. Creativity is something worth pursuing, regularly
3. We can cultivate creativity

In case you missed the three-part video series, I’ll provide links below.  This week will conclude our creativity series with a written recap.

Are You Creative?

What is the role of creativity in your life right now?  Not sure?  Take 30 seconds to complete this self-assessment and come back here when you’re finished.  Don’t worry, you won’t have to enter your email address or offer up your credit card info.  (Feel free to leave those in the comments 😉) 

How did you do?  

In my experience, most adults struggle a bit when it comes to creativity.  Either they don’t think they are creative, they don’t see the value in creativity, or a combination of the two.  This is really unfortunate, in my opinion and we’ll get into the reasons why later in this article.  

For now, le...

Kintsukuroi is a Japanese word that refers to the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver to join the pieces together. Fundamental to Kintsukuroi is the understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken. Kintsukoroi views the breakage as part of the object's history and something to be cherished rather than something to be hidden. There is beauty and honor in the cracks and chips that come from authentic use.

I began thinking about Kintsukuroi in the context of my own life and what it would look like if I adopted a Kintsukuroi mindset. One thing is for certain. I would take more risks. I would put myself out there even though there is a chance that I might fail. I’m certain that I miss many opportunities because I fear taking the first step.

Beyond missing opportunities, this risk aversity has an insidious effect. Because I avoid failure I don’t have the opportunity to learn from my setbacks. Not only are some of life’s best lessons found within failures, we ...