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Show times an idea lies dormant in a context until a thought strays through its cover, causing it to burst up and wing away like a grouse started from it's camouflage on the ground. Often the surprise of a new idea is a mixed blessing, for in addition to broadening and strengthen- ing extant thought, it often calls into question all sorts of related matter, forcing a general re-evaluation of data and theory. Creation is a dynamic process that keeps a mind in perpetual change, never letting it sit still long enough to become staid or too settled. Viewpoints, opinions and assumptions continually evolve, revolve, resolve and fade. The scenery for the play of living continually changes in the creative mind. The creative act, however, is an altogether different beast. Extremely elusive, it often hides itself from even the most energetic of intellects, preferring to manifest itself only in unpredictable manner and locale. The shift from idea to action is a gap which many persons never bridge-as a blunt matter of fact, it is a shift which most persons are unable to make. Surrendering to a creative urge has certain irreversible side-effects. One must be willing to be permanently at the mercy of his subconscious, because the compulsion to make, to do is an eccentric master at best. Sometimes it will order one to work without cease for days, foregoing sleep, drink or love; at other times it will not answer no matter how great the need for escape, action or marketable product. Although the stereotype artist who sits down to create a masterpiece in a single burst is more a fictional character than a real one, any artist is subject to spells of intense expressive urge. At these times he is a medium transmitting the voice of creation. Almost anyone can surrender to the creative urge if he wants to, but only certain people, the parade of genius that marches down through all ages, are able to produce the remarkable, the truly great creations. Others become dabblers, pedants and imitators. These are persons who sell out to creativity and receive a small price. An average person is creative but never becomes to the genuine creative act. For most of us, the loss of order is not offset by accruing products of creation. Not only can we not live surrounded by our own thoughts become solid, we lack the 40 |