Saturday, January 03, 2009

TRAITS OF THE CREATIVE PERSONALITY: Social Unconcern



ERIC MAISEL post

A man known for his creativity came upon a group of people who appeared to be dancing. As he got closer, he saw that they were swatting at a swarm of gnats tormenting them. “Help us!” they cried. The man approached but kept sufficient distance that the gnats ignored him. “We’ve tried everything!” they cried. “But we can’t keep these gnats off us!” The man studied their situation and noticed that in the midst of the suffering assembly was a pile of dried cow dung, dried out from the recent hot weather. The man knew that in other cultures people used the smoke from smoldering dung to keep away flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. “Light that dried cow dung!” the man shouted. “Its smoke will repel the gnats!” “Ugh” the crowd cried as one. “We would never touch dried dung! Ugh! What would people think of us if they saw us picking up poop!” The man repeated his message. Again the crowd refused, citing how others would view them. Finally the man shook his head. “Then the gnats win,” he said, turning away and wandering off to attend to his creative work.

Pick up your copy of Creative Recovery in 2009!.

1 comment:

Jurgen Wolff said...

However, their constant swatting and dancing kept them very fit and healthy...whereas the people in the next village who lit the dog dung became sedentary and experienced increased heart disease... (Just a little exercise in alternative perspectives :-))