A naked man ran through the streets shouting “Eureka! Eureka!” It was the third century BC in Syracuse Greece. The frantic streaker was Archimedes a mathematician and engineer. His bizarre behavior was triggered by a sudden insight that provided an answer he was seeking. While sitting in his bath, he noticed that an object immersed in a liquid displaces a volume of liquid equal to the volume of the object. This excited him so much that he leaped from his bath and ran out screaming “Eureka!” Archimedes’ exclamation “Eureka” has become synonymous with moments of inspiration or insight.
Inspiration happens when we have an experience that causes us to think, feel or do something extraordinary. It is most likely to occur in a mind that is open, imaginative, curious. These are all traits of a creative mind.
I believe all of us should develop our creativity and seek our own “eureka” moments. It is also very important to do so.
The arts such as painting, or music, may stimulate us, but inspiration is not limited to artistic expression. Invention and discovery are the practical result of applied imagination.
The airplane is an example of an invention made using inspiration and creative thinking. Orville and Wilbur Wright were bicycle mechanics who decided to build a flying machine. They did not have the money or qualifications of some of their competitors. One of their biggest challenges was control of stability in flight. Then Wilbur noticed that birds continuously change the shape of their wings to control themselves. This inspired the Wright brothers to create a system of wing warping that allowed their flyer to make the first manned, powered flight. It wasn’t funding that made the difference at Kitty Hawk, or engineering credentials. It was Wilbur’s “eureka” moment while watching birds manipulate their wings.
Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
I have some experience with trying to develop a more active imagination. I have worked for over 20 years as a designer in the printing industry. Early in my career, I began trying to master desk-top publishing. That by itself is a never ending story. Eventually I realized I had all these fantastic new techniques but I was struggling to find ideas. At times a blank page seemed like a void, vast and intimidating. My modest spark of creative energy flickered desperately to fill the void with an idea.
I couldn’t afford to look at a page that way. I began searching for ways to become more creative. One of my “eureka” moments came the first time I told myself “The universe is in a state of continuous creation and I am part of it. Therefore I am allowed to participate.” Then I started writing whatever came into my head, anything and everything. This is free writing. I still do it. Sometimes, what comes out is surprising. Occasionally it’s bizarre. Maybe I shouldn’t be free writing in the bathtub. However, practicing this helps me turn that page from an empty void into a window that opens onto a universe filled with wonderful ideas.
Is it possible for you to become more creative? Yes! Of course, any self-improvement takes some effort. For example, to gain knowledge you have to study. If I want a sculpted body, I have to hit the gym – a lot. Similarly, developing and maintaining a creative mind also requires work, but most of it is fun. Thankfully, there are many resources that will provide you guidance and exercises to develop and flex your creative “muscles”. The effort pays off in enhanced perception and experience, which generate ideas.
Remember this is not limited to artistic expression. Thomas Edison said, “Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.” You may find new ways to tweak more horsepower out of a Corvette. You may find a winning approach to handling a tough client. You – what will you find?
I believe that everyone can participate in creation and experience the joy of inspiration. This is important because the challenges that face humanity require imaginative solutions. There are infinite opportunities to apply your unique perception to “what if?” and find your own “Eureka” experience. The running about naked – that’s optional.
