Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Solitary Ideas?

Today in a staff meeting two of my co-workers reported that they had attended a conference over the weekend. While highlighting the conference, one of them stated that the most valuable time was when the two of them met over lunch and having been stimulated by the morning seminars, they began to exchange ideas and create plans for their own ministries.

I have always felt that some of my best ideas come during or immediately after conversations, lectures or activities with others that stimulate my thinking and creativity.

Just after that staff meeting I read this report published in the New York Times on January 21, 2009: The census Bureau, based on data collected in 2007, estimates that 31.1 million people in the United States live alone, which is 27% of all households, a significant increase from 17% in 1970.

Standing alone, this information from my co-workers and this report from the Census Bureau may seem unrelated. But as I look at it, they are highly intertwined.

I would agree that creativity can emerge from solitude. But I would lean toward the idea that more creativity emerges from conversation, collaboration and cooperation.

My input: don't isolate yourself. Be in relationship with others, especially with those who stimulate your thinking, inspire your heart, and challenge you to grow. Be creative... with others!

1 comment:

Philip A. Guzman, Esq. said...

. . and never be far from a notepad (anyone my age, anyway). For no matter how stimulating any exchange of ideas may be, it's always best to write some of your thoughts down before the day and all it presents distracts you. It has always been my experience that writing is one step removed from action.

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