STUDIO83

If you have the ability to create; then we know that you are functioning on an alternate plane. This is why creatives find themselves trapped in the snare of chasing the proverbial white rabbit [if you don’t know what that is you’re either too young or too shielded – OR you just were never acquainted with Alice; she of the wonderland variety].

The White Rabbit can be likened to our creativity in a heightened state of consciousness. To take a step back, we have already explored the magic-quality inherent in creativity in previous posts.  We agreed that in order to be declared creatively-sound, one had to exhibit (or at the very least express) an intangible quality that was strongly assumed to be magical (we cannot explain from whence it originates; we simply know that it exists). Therefore, creativity is not a function of the Brain. Creativity is a Mind-function. 

Superficially, the brain functions at an unconscious level (not sub-conscious, but unconscious). This means that you do not entirely need to be awake for your brain to function. E.g. people that are legally comatose may still breathe on their own. This means that their lungs are functional, they are taking in breath, and their hearts are pumping blood, and they expel breath. While they may have limited motor capacity they are still functional – albeit at a very low level.

The mind on the other hand is a different realm altogether.  It not only guides the limbs as to what to do, but also how to do. For instance, a motor-function is the difference between picking up a mug and pressing it to your lips so you can drink coffee; and creating said mug. The mind therefore, functions at a state of wakefulness, and awareness that we call the conscious state. This means that you are making decisions as to how to fashion what you are busy creating: subtracting and adding features, and making modifications to the product as you go. 

When you have chosen to shut down this function: say for example ka Festive; best believe that you will suffer the consequences. I can best describe this catastrophe as similar to forgetting to turn on your geyser when you go to bed, and jumping into an unexpected cold shower in the morning; hoping that the water will warm, and it does not. Messes up your entire day.

All this just to convey to you that as we embark on the Silly Season, ensure that you keep your state of wakefulness: make a plan -- read something, build something, play something, break something, rebuild something, learn something, forget nothing.  

Ensure that your state of consciousness involves more than the lifting of a beer to your lips ... lest you suffer the Creative Hangover come the New Year.

Happy Holidays

Photographer: Thato Mohuba