10 Ways Gratitude Sparks Creativity
Creativity and Gratitude are deeply interconnected. Gratitude is an attitude of appreciation and thankfulness for the people, experiences, and things in our lives, whether big or small. Creativity involves the generation of ideas, problem-solving, and the expression of oneself through various mediums. The two are deeply intertwined aspects of the human experience, and I've learned that cultivating a sense of Gratitude in our lives can enhance our Creativity in various ways. I’ll share a few of my own.
1. Gratitude fuels positivity. When we appreciate what we have, it naturally boosts our mood and outlook and sets the tone for a positive mindset, opening up creative channels, and allowing new ideas to flow more freely. From 2014 to 2016, I studied the word “Gratitude” hoping to write a book on the topic one day. Just after I finalized plans to attend a writer’s retreat, on January 9, 2017, my daughter, Mia, suffered a massive stroke. I kept a journal of her rehab for a year and in 2019 that journal became a Gratitude book, The Stroke That Touched My Heart. It was not the book I had in mind in 2016 when I registered for the retreat, but Gratitude had taught me that in all things, keep moving forward with an open mind and a positive attitude.
2. Gratitude helps us put things into perspective. We see the bigger picture and learn to approach problems or challenges from different angles that can lead to creative solutions. Keeping a rehab journal set the stage for me to use Gratitude to teach Mia to read and write again. It all began with a simple gratitude list.
3. Gratitude cultivates curiosity. When we appreciate the world around us, we become more interested in how the world turns. The interest encourages us to explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and think outside the box. Not only did I create a book on Gratitude, but I also created journaling prompts for stroke survivors and caregivers and called it The Stroke That Touched My Heart Gratitude Journal.
4. Gratitude promotes self-reflection. When we live gratefully, we reflect on our values, desires, and passions, which can spark creative ideas aligned with our authentic selves. This self-reflection allows us to understand others better and ignites a desire to share what we know. After Mia improved and I returned to work, I decided to incorporate Gratitude into my monthly staff meetings, so I created Gratitude Birthday Breakfasts. The staff loved it, and so did I!
5. Gratitude encourages empathy. The better we understand and appreciate ourselves, the easier it is to understand others’ perspectives and experiences. Our compassion for others allows us to create more inclusive and diverse gifts, solutions, works of art, etc., for others by adding a unique touch to our Creativity. My Gratitude breakfasts strengthened our Health Promotion Team in ways I had not imagined.
6. Gratitude increases resilience. Grateful people are more resilient and motivated to find more ways to express Creativity. After Mia learned to read and write again, keeping a Gratitude list of three things she was grateful each day eventually led to her learning to crochet with her non-dominant left hand. Her resilience paid off in more ways than one, thanks to Gratitude and Creativity.
7. Gratitude inspires collaboration. Thankfulness towards others fosters a sense of connection, and we begin to appreciate their contributions to life in general. Toward the end of 2022, I began thinking of ways to collaborate with women I knew to synergize our talents to create innovative outcomes. My upcoming EmpowHer Women’s Wholistic Health Summit (December 5-7, 2023) is an example of a collaborative project with some of those women with the sole purpose of women helping women connect with their inner power to thrive!
8. Gratitude sparks resourcefulness. Appreciating what we have encourages us to make the most of the available resources and use those resources to solve problems creatively. The creative soul knows the universe's abundance and is mindful of the need to be ready when opportunities arise. When an email landed in my mailbox with the subject "Your First Virtual Summit,” I knew I had to open it. The results are yet to come, but I'm enjoying learning, which is what matters most.
9. Gratitude encourages experimentation. When we are grateful for the universe's abundance, we are more willing to step outside our comfort zone to try new things that can lead to creative possibilities. I've always been curious and never backed away from a challenge, but doing anything with technology takes me so far outside my comfort zone that I wanted to quit midway through planning for the EmpowHer Summit. But I had invested too much time and money to stop, so I'm moving forward to see where this new virtual experiment takes me.
10. Gratitude instills a sense of purpose. I was introduced to my purpose 30 years ago. Gratitude has helped me recognize my blessings and given my life more profound meaning. It has fueled my creative endeavors and the more creative I become, the more my creative expression resonates with others. One year ago, I created the small change Toolkit (www.myrtlerussell.com) and I’m letting it unfold, one small change at a time.
When we approach life with a grateful heart, we unlock the doors to our creative potential. Gratitude and Creativity help us to see the silver lining in every cloud!
Learning to live grateful is as easy as learning your ABCs; you do it one small change at a time! I’d love to hear your thoughts on Creativity and Gratitude. Email me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com. Learn more about the small change toolkit at www.myrtlerussell.com
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