Creative house painting

I had to stop the car, get out and gawk, and of course snap a picture, after driving by a home the other day.  The home's exterior and garage were colorfully painted with artistic designs.  Someone took their house painting project to heart.  Wonder how many cans of paint they went through in this project?  I wouldn't want to be the one that has to repaint.

Creativity abounds with time in nature

Nordic skiers

Nature is a place where our mind can rest, relax and let down those threat responses. Therefore, we have resources left over -- to be creative, to be imaginative, to problem solve -- that allow us to be better, happier people who engage in a more productive way with others.  -Ruth Ann Atchley, Department chair and associate professor of cognitive/clinical psychology at the University of Kansas

The quote above was in a column by Harvey McKay in the StarTribune, "Creativity: how to get ideas flowing."  He also referenced a test done by researchers on four groups of backpackers before they heading out for a series of long hikes.  They administered the same test to backpackers who were already fours days into their expedition, and discovered that those who had been out hiking were almost 50 percent higher in creativity than those who hadn't yet hit the trail.

I've experience first hand that being outside and moving does wonders for getting those creative juices flowing.

Value of "wasted time" to spark creativity

Mechanical beast put out to pasture

I enjoyed listing to author, Jonah Lehrer, on Minnesota Public Radio yesterday speaking about creativity.  Among other things he noted that Albert Einstein once observed that creativity is the residual of wasted time.

One of the under discussed keys to creativity is a feeling of frustration with an inability to find an answer to a problem.  Then with time, often when we are relaxed, an elegant solution arrives at a time least expected.

Mr. Lehrer has written a book "Imagine: How Creativity Works."

A high school classmate observed between his studies... "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."

Creative designs in nature



Hooded Mergansers (male left, females right)





Female Mallard

God's got a fabulous imagination. Look at the great variety of insects, birds, plants, and yes, even people. 

We've had some really cool waterfowl at the pond recently.  The male Hooded Mergansers are especially dashing.  Nothing too drab about the male Wood Ducks either. 

Interesting that for many animals the males have the added color and features.  Maybe a way to get the females to like them? People weren't made this way.  However the clothing industry does what it can to add pizazz to our appearance.  Tattooing is an option for those that really want to add some permanent body color.  I'm a fan of the simple, natural look. 

Abraham Lincoln believed that God loved ordinary people, that's why He made so many of them!

Male Wood Ducks (background) and Male Mallard (foreground)