Signposts and Guides for the Creative Life

"Talent is a gift that brings with it an obligation to serve the world and not ourselves, for it is not of our making."  Jose Marti

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there is overwhelming evidence that many people take this idea seriously.  There are so many individuals using their creativity to find ways to support those whose lives have been altered, compromised, shattered, inconvenienced, saddened.  Celebrities rally to raise monies through concerts.  Churches and organizations put their heads and organizational skills together to figure out the best and most effective ways to get goods, services, and funds where they're needed.  Small art groups try to figure out how to parlay their talents into support for galleries that have lost everything.

One of my favorite examples of individual creativity was a facebook post of a picture taken of a sign outside someone's home, I think, in New Jersey.   The sign was attached to a fence where a power strip had been attached.  It said "We have power.  Please feel free to charge your cell phones here."  Thoughtful, generous, imaginative, compassionate.  Without the ability to communicate easily, life gets so much more difficult in these frightening times.

What examples have impressed you most?  How might you use the talents you have?  Huge commendations to those who have begun to share their gifts already.  Share your ideas; creativity is contagious.