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Please Do Not Go Down the Rabbit Hole
When faced with the question, “What is your personal creative manifesto?” one tends to feel almost confused. I say this because this was my reaction when asked to write about such a delicate and intimate topic. For starters, I am a person who likes to have mental organization. And this question invited a host of thoughts, emotions, and reactions that I was not in the least bit expecting. To make better sense of this, I resorted to do what makes me find peace of mind. I consulted Miriam Webster. I do this to make sure that I am framing my train of thought correctly and not provoking unwanted responses to jump at me. So lets organize this by sections so that you (reader) and I (subject of discourse) can better understand what this question meant.
- Part I: personal
Personal: (adjective) pərs-nəl: belonging or relating to a particular person; made or designed to be used by one person.
This is the first part that I must tackle when defining my “personal creative manifesto.” It appears the first part of the question is an adjective, which I like, and it makes me feel in control (possessive) of claiming the following as a little set of accomplishments. I like the feelings and ideas that I receive when knowing that this “personal creative manifesto” is my creation. It makes one feel unique, and like a priceless vase placed on display for the world to see. In a world where many things are copied, imitated, and stolen, just this one time, this is mine to keep. But, at the same time, I must share it with the you (reader) and allow you to take a peek into my secret world. Well, it is not so secret, but it is special to me because I am its designer, author, and developer.
- Part II: creative
Creative: (adjective) krē-ˈā-tiv: having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas; using the ability to make or think of new things: involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created.
Another adjective, and another difficult part to assess in the “personal creative manifesto”– the label, creative. It is strange to me when I define creativity because I always equated creativity with some unexplained phenomena. People who I hold in high esteem as a creative genius do not necessarily make new things or think of new ideas, but are able to produce both visual and audible work via clever means. Take my mother’s boyfriend, Juan, for example, this man can fix just about any car, home, or computer problem in the most innovative and strategic fashion. Juan is no Steve Jobs, but he sure likes to dedicate his time to problem solving. Not to mention, he did not even graduate high school. Though I might consider him creative, I am sure others might mistake this for “manly usefulness.”
Another point, this definition is also too broad, as to say, “well, as long as you can think of and create something new, you are deemed creative.” Creativity means so much more to me, at least on a personal level. The main reason is due to a series of events that led me to realize the importance of this word in the course of my life. You see, sometimes in life you make plans and you follow them. For some people, their life plan results in a linear path of perfection towards the end goal. For others, the plan results in nonlinear paths that somehow reach the end goal or create new ones. I was placed in the latter category at my early 20s. Since I like to plan and organize, accepting the latter circumstance was difficult to swallow. I went from dedicating my life to pursuing a career in law, entering law school, and then realized I do not want to do this for the rest of my life because I was not able to be creative. So, I had to sit down and readjust my thinking and future plans to a career change that revolved around around creative outlets of expression.
However, at the same time the latter path makes you confront creativity headfirst. Since you are forced to innovate yourself time and time again, you continue finding out new things about yourself, and learn how to breathe better, learn better, and work better. Creativity is not tangible nor able to be looked at under a microscope, at least I do not think science has reached such depths of technological discovery, but it is a driving force in the generation of new thinking. And when I use the term creativity, I do not refer to the finished products of artists, creators, musicians, etc., I refer to the person’s interior framework. A creative person whose interior framework have yet been explored, but whose exterior work have been placed in art studios everywhere or whose melodious voice resounds the halls of palaces. It becomes difficult to define “creative,” but it becomes important that I present to you my views on the matter to understand part 3.
- Part III: Manifesto
Manifesto: (noun) ma-nə-ˈfes-(ˌ)tō\: a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer
And finally you reach the point of the question where you find the meat of it all. Remember how I mentioned in part 2 that I had currently undergone a stark shift in path in my early 20s? Well, I was not kidding. I even went on a sabbatical, in mainland China, to find inspiration, meditate amongst monks, and immerse myself in Buddhist practices. During my time spent in China, I was able to develop a set of Buddhist related principles that have allowed me to not only find inspiration, but keep fighting forward. This dramatic shift took a toll on my mental health, and I fell down the rabbit hole of despair. Those in their 30s and 40s warn of not going down the rabbit hole if you feel a sense of despair. However, I was an eager 22 year old at the time who just stepped into adulthood and realized #thisshitishard. But fear not for I have developed this set of principles, which have now been incorporated into my “personal creative manifesto,” to help those (and myself) young adults when they fall down the rabbit hole of despair and are too scared to get back up.
“Personal Creative Manifesto”
Breathe
This is the single most important part of your day. Take the time to listen to your breath and analyze its rhythm. The simple act of changing your breathing pattern and breathing from your diaphragm triggers positive thinking. Check it out!
Presence
You are only guaranteed seconds of Now. Your mind should not be thinking of the past nor of the future. Just repeat the following Chinese mantra authored by Lao Tzu to yourself: “If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future, if you are at peace you are living in the present.”
Passion
Waking up each day is a breath of fresh air. You are blessed to be alive and should make sure that every single second you are employing passion into your daily activity. A life of passion, is a life of fulfillment. Remember that only you know where your passion lies, and this is an important matter when you look back at the trajectory of your life: Was it a life of passion?
Mindfulness
Your life will change once you employ the practice of mindfulness training. Though an ancient practice, its emergence in the West has finally been accepted, allowing us to find peace within a chaotic world. Mindfulness practices allow us to be at peace with ourselves, and those around us. It helps with stress, anxiety, and depression. It is a key element in finding personal attainment in your quest called life.
Love
Before you know it, life has passed you by. You have yelled at many people, gotten into serious arguments, cried excessively, shouted, and probably punched a few pillows/walls. However, when you look back at life, life is looking back at you saying, you should have said more I love you(s). Love more, love often, and love yourself. Once love becomes part of any situation, it transcends you into a state of euphoria.
Afterthoughts:
Though you might hear these principles everyday, it becomes important to reflect on them daily. Once I began to implement them into my daily practices, I became a different person. I was rejuvenated and realized that the true meaning of creativity lies deep inside your self. It becomes much deeper than its dictionary context. And sometimes going down the rabbit hole is necessary if it means you will find your higher self at the end of it. But, speaking as a former 22 year old who experienced an early quarter life crises, please try everything in your power to not go into the rabbit hole.
“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then”
