Welcome to the first Creative Living Post…aka “The Creative Living Glossary”
Well I guess the first myth to dispel here would be the notion that “creativity” is only for “artists”. After working for many years in various fields of, not only arts, but business and community as well, I have come to realize the truth that, for anything to be truly effective and culture-rumbling, it has to employ a high degree of creativity and innovation…
SO…as we begin our journey together, I’m thinking it would be helpful to put together a short glossary of terms that we will use frequently as we endure and explore creative living…beneficiary [ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee]
This is who you work for. This is the person who is judge and jury on your creation. It is a slightly less gauche term than “customer” or “client”, and tends to give them more credit as well. This is the person who stands to benefit from your creation if it is a success, or tends to hate it if it stinks.
goosebumps [goos-bŭmps]
I literally get these when something is right, true, and has the potential to impact beneficiaries and create atmosphere. A chill in the spine, a rush in the heart – whatever it does for you, a great, creative idea will always tickle your eyes or ears – the “goosebumps” are always there to let you know you are on to an idea that people are going to NEED. So always be sure to “follow the goosebumps” and NEVER doubt them…
rumble-strips [ruhm-buhl-strĭps]
These are in diametric opposition to “the goosebumps”. Rumble-strips are those things you hit (and feel) when you fall asleep while driving and veer too far to the right or left. They are basically there to inform you that something “not-good” is about to happen – so WAKE UP! “Rumble-Strips” are the feelings you get inside when an idea is lame, lazy, dead in the water, just plain dumb, and is basically not-gonna-work. When you run across an idea that is leaving you cold, uninspired, or indifferent (or even just “ok”), you need to acknowledge the repetitive groan of the rumble-strip and heed it’s warning to GET BACK ON THE ROAD!
prodigy [prod-i-jee]
This is you my friend. And for it we will use the actual definition found in the dictionary:
1. a person having extraordinary talent or ability.
2. a marvelous example.
3. something wonderful or marvelous; a wonder.
4. (Archaic) something extraordinary regarded as of prophetic significance.
Well, that is where we will start! I’m hoping even just this short glossary of terms that I use in my head when creating (and that we will use along the way) will begin to inspire you about yourself and your beneficiaries, and get you into a smooth streaming groove of “Creative Living”….
Jon McConnell
