"Creativity belongs to the artist in each of us.  To create means to relate.  The root meaning of the word art is 'to fit together' and we all do this every day.  Not all of us are painters but we are all artists.  Each time we fit things together we are creating, whether it is to make a loaf of bread or a life."  - Corita Kent

Everyone can be creative, but some people doubt their ability because they do not recognize their creative moments.  We tend to think of creativity as being grand artistic activities like painting a portrait, composing a song, or writing a poem.  However, small acts are also creative.  I was helping my grandson, Jackson, put together a tool box that he has to make as one of the requirements of his Cub Scout Bear badge.  When I am doing the final assembly of a project I sometimes have trouble keeping the pieces lined up while hammering in nails or inserting screws.  I had an idea to try to make it easier for Jackson.  I held the tool box together while he taped all of the pieces in place.  Now that the boards were temporarily held together, it was easy for him to put in the screws.  Then we removed the tape.  It worked well, and I think I will use that method in putting together other projects.  I had never done that before so it was creative.

Sometimes we think of creativity as starting from scratch, but sometimes it is just fitting existing things together in a new way.  I perform a magic illusion called a Silk Fountain.  In the illusion several scarves pop into view one at a time.  I like to end with a surprise scarf that forms a definite conclusion to the effect.  Sometimes I make a distinctive scarf vanish, and then a duplicate of that scarf appears tied to the final scarf in the Silk Fountain.  At other times I finish by producing a 36-inch scarf that is appropriate to the event.  When I was preparing for a performance at a Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race this past weekend, I couldn't decide what scarf to use to end the Silk Fountain.  Nothing seemed particularly relevant.  In going through my collection of scarves I noticed a Headless Cartoon Scarf that I had purchased from Laflin Magic.  This particular scarf depicts the body of a monkey.  When you hold the scarf up in front of you it makes it look like your face is on the monkey's body.  (It is kind of like the signs at tourist attractions where you stick your head through a hole in a picture sign.)  I liked the concept of the Headless Cartoon Scarves and bought a set several years ago.  I had not used them consistently because I had not discovered a routine for them that I particularly liked.  I decided to use the Headless Monkey Cartoon Scarf as the Silk Fountain Finale.  It was a choice made just because I couldn't think of anything else to do.  When that scarf appeared during my show, I stretched it out between my hands without looking down at it.  The kids thought it was hilarious.  While they laughed, I looked around to see what they were laughing at.  When their laughter started to die down, I glanced down and discovered the picture.  I quickly put the scarf away in embarrassment.  Based on the audience response, I think I may have discovered a new routine.  I'll try it again in a show, and if the response is as positive next time it will become part of my permanent repertoire.  That is creative.

You can read more descriptions of small creative acts in Creativity For Entertainers Volume One: The Creative Process.  Each small creative act is proof that you are creative.  Once you believe in your ability to be creative you will begin to act as if you are creative, which makes you more creative.

When you approach a project, ask yourself, "How can I fit things together differently?" 

Think back over the past week.  When did you fit things together in a new way?  What was the result?  During this week look for your small creative acts.   How many times are you creative during the week?  What does that tell you about your ability to be creative?  How does that change your attitude towards trying to be creative?