7 Creative practices based on quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.

While Martin Luther King Jr. seemed like a political figure, really—he was not. He was a pastor. All his quotes and speeches were based on what he had learned from God. When I ponder that, I think, what creative mentor could be more creative than God

One. Take the first step:

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.

No creative person has ever seen the whole 'staircase' before starting a project. Creatives are just regular people taking one step at a time until brilliance happens. Don't be afraid to take that first step.

Two. Hope trumps disappointment:

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Creative people accept failure. We get up and try again. Hope drives one further. Hope gives energy, where disappointment does not.

Three: Lack of passion equals a silent creative:

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King, Jr.

What are you passionate about? What matters? Your creativeness should be fueled by what matters to you, to your family, to your friends, to your community, and beyond. Don't be silent. Use your creativity to affect the world around you.

Four: Don't wait for consensus to tell you your creativity matters:

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Use your abilities to shape the world. Meditate on how you can make the world a better place. Creativity is a gift that should be shared and there are many ways to share it. Find your way.

Five. Don't be selfish:

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." Martin Luther King, Jr.

As a creative person, we can sometimes hide our art (or ideas) in a closet. Be bold. Share. Let your light shine and those that receive will be blessed. The rest does not matter."

Six. Make time:

"The time is always right to do what is right." Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you are creative, you need to make time to produce. Schedule time for yourself to take a walk, ponder, daydream, paint, create. The time is always right, yet if you don't take the time, you will not produce.

Seven. Share with others:

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Martin Luther King, Jr.

Out of all these quotes, I believe, this is the most important. If you are creative then you MUST share your gift with others. Seven is a special number. Number seven represents perfection and completion. Perfect and complete; who does not want that? I have found that the one thing that makes me feel perfect and complete, aside from God, is to serve others. Wow, how simple, If you have a gift, please share it. Creativity can be expressed in many ways. For me generally, people see my art as my creative outlet, but really, serving others is a creative outlet. It may be through teaching art or cleaning toilets. Both serve people. A listening ear is another way to serve others. Find your way. As Martin Luther King Jr. said: Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Make sharing your talents persistent and urgent and I believe you will find creative fulfillment.

Holly Herick: Creative Adventures

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