The Heart of Creativity

"We are the music makers, And we are the dreams of dreams. . . Yet we are the movers and shakers of the world for ever. it seems. . . One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth to conquer a crown; And three with a new songs measure, Can trample an empire down." ~ 6. Ode. Arthur O'Shaughnessy.

Arthur O'Shaughnessy's Ode translates my personal values statement into my creative inspiration and execution, for I am a music maker and I am a dreamer of dreams. My Personal Values Statement upholds the following:

• Commitment
• I will uphold all commitments that I make to the best of my ability.
• Integrity
• I strive to conduct myself and my communication with the utmost integrity.
• Excellence
• I strive to continually improve at everything I undertake in an attempt for excellence.
• Justice
• I try to be objective towards all people and all within reason.
• Wisdom
• I pursue the acquisition of wisdom and open my mind to its various sources.
• Humanity
• I assist others both before and upon recognition of a problem.

As I continue to develop and innovate myself, I realize that my inspiration and values both are influenced and reflected by my beloved arts. Art is a primary product and source of creativity. Traditionally, the arts reflected each other: musical themes painted in art or art and literature expressed musically. The arts, and in particular music, stimulates all of Daniel Pink's high-touch, high-capacity aptitudes that I possess to contribute to my essence. The elements that touch and spark my personal values simultaneously design a story that engages my imaginative symphony to play while simplifying complexities that relate to my personal values to create additional meaning and inspire imagination. Momentarily, the following artistic moments both have reflected my personal values and inspired me to implement them through creative ideas:

Film: Orange Revolution. This film demonstrated how a country overcame a societal plateau by acting out all of my personal values. I left the cinema inspired to challenge the status quo that has created gaps for specific users and have thus far participated in creating two Notre Dame groups that cater to minority students.

Musical: Rent. "There's only us. There's only this. Forget regret, for life is too short to miss. No other hope, no other way. No day but today." Rent blends alternative rock with modern musical and traditional opera to complete a Pulitzer Prize winning symphony that also expresses and develops my statement of values. When I find myself constricted by past traditions or searching for innovate ideas, I use this musical model to motivate and ideate.

Symphony: Dvorak: Symphony No. 9. Composers used specific chords and musical keys to elicit emotion and create a story. The end of this symphony's 4th movement creates a clash chord that triumphantly resolves. This symphony musical captures my personal values, but reminds me that inspiration sometimes stems from conflict.

Song: We're All in the Dance by Feist.

"Life's a dance, we all have to do
What does the music require?
People are moving together
Close as the flames in a fire

Feel the beat; music and rhyme
While there is time.

We all go 'round and 'round
Partners of lost and found
Looking for one more chance
All I know is,
We're all in the dance"

This song reminds me about one innovation's keys: to not fear the unknown. When I fear that a problem is unsolvable, this song's soothing and inspiring lyrics reminds me that everything has a reason, we just may not know it yet.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. The arts tap into my personal values to inspire me to see the world differently and create solutions that the world needs.