The year of our creative soul

A stream quietly runs near Cloudland Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Creativity has soared to new heights over the past nine months, as more quiet, reflective moments led many people to discover new creative abilities within themselves. In some cases, those discoveries prompted new hobbies, while for others, they prompted a reinvigorated career path, or a new one altogether.

Whatever the case, creative energy runs deep in human beings — we all have it. This quality is certainly not a novelty brought into existence by the happenings of 2020. Rather, it's been unveiled like never before, in part because of the numerous opportunities to witness creativity online, from across the world. The great beauty is that different individuals express creativity in different ways, adding to the richness of this collective life experience as a global family.

We've all experienced the inspiring abundance of music, art and creative talent through Zoom or Facebook, which keep bringing us these fulfilling experiences amid current restrictions. This has led to more people taking part in those special audience moments only the arts can provide. But the significance of this creative boom is likely to go beyond expressions of art and culture. The confines of business and government may find creativity to be a useful path toward groundbreaking solutions to major issues. Indeed, today’s obstacles require going far beyond the routines and habits of thought involved with more conventional approaches. We'll have to break the mold, and challenge ourselves.

Thankfully, that creativity is alive and well within us, and ready to be harnessed. We can take that brilliant creative spirit we all have, break through barriers, and use it for the greater good. Despite current circumstances, there is hope, and it shines out from the creative soul we all share.

— Gareth Henderson