Creative Thought for the Day

Can a person be "creative" if they don't "create" anything? I mean, lots of people like to think of themselves as being creative, but if they don't actually put words down on paper, open their mouth to sing or pick up a paintbrush or an instrument or pull up those dance tights, are they really creative? Is being called "creative" an honor that has to be earned by showing that you are courageous and self-disciplined enough to actually make your vision a reality?

Some people like to say that "everyone is creative in his or her own way." That rubs me wrong. I think it's a reflection of today's society where you aren't supposed to say that one student is smarter than another (they are "just different"—yeah, right), or prettier than another (everyone has their own "personal style"—yeah right) and every kid who plays soccer gets a trophy just for showing up for the game (or his feelings might be hurt).

So, here's the question: Can you be called a "writer" if you keep a diary but never share your work? Can you be an "artist" if you finger paint murals on the inside of your bathtub only to rinse them down the drain before anyone can see them? Can you be a "crafter" if you have great ideas that never take form? Can you be "creative" if you never create anything than can be shown, shared and critiqued.

I've been thinking about this because I just got back from visiting my daughter at the Berklee School of Music. The students there utterly blew my mind. Every day they work themselves to the bone, taking creative risks, expanding, growing and pushing themselves to become better and better and better. It's not comfortable, and it's really scary. If they define the word "creative" then where do the rest of us fall?