Children are wonderful sources of inspiration. In my classroom I am reminded daily that children certainly do not "sweat the small stuff." I am also reminded as a parent of a nine month old that determination and a strong will can get you almost anywhere you want to go. It is with that sense of inocence creativity begins.
Those who can be regarded as the greatest inventors of our time embodied these child like characteristics. They found humor in their mistakes, they made discoveries on accident, and they had will power that could rival that of any two year old temper tantrum. "Countless inventions and discoveries are accidential" (Davis, p. 11, 2004). Just imagine the first person who took the first bite of a tomato. Every thing about a tomato warns someone not to eat it, it is bright red for goodness sakes! Some brave sole way back when found the courage, perhaps during a foolish dare, to take the first bite! Spagetti sauce would have never been the same!
Having a sense of humor has never hurt anyone... well that is unless you don't count the person at the end of a bad joke. When I think about how having a sense of humor can help promote creativity I can't help but think of the line from Jimmy Buffett's tune that says, "If we couldn't laught we would all go insane..." Why yes Mr. Buffett I believe we would and I am sure the millions of inventors out there would too. Without finding humor in their mishaps, failures, and success they would have probably given up.
Once again, having a child like sense of living fosters creativity, happiness, and life! I only hope I can approach life with as much excitement and wonderment as I begin to make my own discoveries.
I agree that perseverance is a big component of the creative process. Sometimes you just have to let go of the details and put something out. I stress this so much to my students when they are working on semester long projects or writing tasks. The whole point of the "draft" stage is to just get something on paper. The tweaking and perfection can come later. Wait until she attempts to walk- whew- strength, determination, and creativity will all come to fruition :)
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