The year of our creative soul
Creative energy runs deep in human beings — we all have it. This quality is certainly not a novelty brought into existence by 2020. Rather, it's been unveiled like never before.
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
Still innovating
As we drove home to Vermont from Maine on Sunday evening, I couldn't help thinking about the long trajectory from the work of history to that of today.
Scarborough Marsh provides majestic scenes along Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As we drove home to Vermont from Maine on Sunday evening, I couldn't help thinking about the long, varied, dynamic path leading from the work of history to today’s greatest achievements.
Passing the impressive location of Bath Iron Works, with massive equipment lighting up the Kennebec River’s shores as seen from Route 1, I was struck by the many decades of ship-building and innovation that took place there, starting in 1884, through World War II and the present day. The company's work defined a region and helped shape history.
Today, innovation defines us still. During a pandemic, millions have taken to sewing machines at home and in groups to create masks for hospitals and other organizations. Retail technology has adjusted with the popular shift to curb-side pick-up, and conferences and events will keep innovating further in the virtual realm.
These examples of U.S. ingenuity will only grow in the coming months, and, to be sure, it's a pattern seen in many sectors. A number of advancements we can't fathom yet, and many of them we won't know about for some time. However, we can rest assured they're underway, because when it comes to new ideas for pressing issues, that's what we do as a people. We are problem-solvers, and present challenges will lead to advancements that will impact generations to come.
— Gareth Henderson