*Updated on Nov 2020
… are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.’
Fill in the blanks, folks!
I don’t know about you. But, the word that popped up in my head was ‘Children’ or ‘Kids.’ But, the true answer is ‘Creative people.’ Isn’t it almost whimsical how synonymous the two answers are! You could perfectly swap ‘Creative people with ‘Children’ and BOOM! It would still make perfect sense and not alter the meaning one single bit.
So there you go, the complete quote below!
‘Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.’
And this was quoted by French revolutionary artist Henri Matisse, who wasn’t afraid to be as pure and free-spirited as a child when it came to self-expression through the powerful medium of art. He used vivid colours and complex forms with gay abandon.
In his own words again, he sought to create an art that would be “a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair.” While his ultimate intent and objective was pleasure and contentment, his use of colour and pattern was often deliberately disorientating and unsettling.
Isn’t that again, what children usually do! If you have children of your own or have studied other’s children, it would amaze you at how similar the minds of the world’s greatest artists of all time and children function. Much like, say, Matisse’s style of functioning, children, deceptively appear to be scatterbrained and inept with their tiny fingers, making a ‘mess’ (according to our limited adult minds). But the truth is amidst all this wild curiosity, chaos, unsettling frenzy, is the ultimate aim to attain pleasure and contentment. Genius!
We owe a lot to our children and artists alike! For reminding us that being adults doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of being curious, flexible, persistent, independent, adventurous, and playful.
In short, becoming an adult doesn’t mean the death of the child within us, but the birth of many children within our being. One seedling that offshoots into many fruits and seedlings of curiosity, flexibility, persistence, independence, adventure, and play.
What colour are you going to paint the town today?
Hmmmmm! I’m thinking on the lines of green, magenta, and ash!
Aren’t we talking and thinking like children already? Better still, like world-famous artists! *wink
Leaving you with this image of one of my daughter’s artwork. She sparks her creativity at home and beats boredom during the pandemic.
Do you have an opinion to share on what creativity means to you or how to encourage children’s creativity?
*Published on Momspresso.
Wow loved it Tina..you had shared really great piece of advice for your daughter and as a parent, I also strongly believe in the same. loved the quote and yes! I agree that it is very important to keep our inner child alive even as a grown up. life is not a race, it is a journey and we all should try to live it upto fullest.
WOW!!! I loved the quote. The best way to enjoy life is to keep the inner child alive. Loved the post with some great advice for your daughter.
Keeping the inner child alive is must. We tend to suppress that feeling saying that we have too much to think of. We have to let go fe of the burden atlas for one day. Our children give us many such opportunities but we tend to ignore it.
This is so apt Tina. As adults we get caught up in some many worldly issues that we don’t remember the child within us. Being parents gives us that opportunity but we somehow miss to see it and again get caught up with parental responsibilities. I feel your letter to Nadine has a larger message for all adults. And I am sure it will also guide Nadine to step into adulthood with lot of clarity on ways to live life fully.
Nice post Tina. We should keep the kid alive in ourselves. Never read the quote, but you defined it so beautifully, and a great piece of advice for your little one. Curiosity, imagination, creativity, these are the traits should be kept alive and adults should never leave their within child behind. Very well framed- Mittali
“Keep the child within you sparkling bright always with creativity, curiosity, and imagination.”
Great words.
You have very beautifully addressed this issue of us as adults forgetting to enjoy with freedom.Loved the post..
Thank you so much, Pashmeena! No matter what my child takes up as a profession, I want her to be a child inside by pursuing art passionately. Otherwise, life is so meh and the usual drill.
great advice, becoming adult is not death of the child inside you is best
Loved the example of a great artist you have given to applaud the unique abilities of children. Beautiful and well-written post!
Phew!! looks like i just read one of the most thought-provoking posts… In the era where kids are mimicking their elders and dream to grow beyond their age, we want the kid in them to be alive for a lifetime. However tough it may sound, u make it look very simple. Your words convey innocence and the mischievous smile of a kid. I guess if we believe in ‘DIl toh bacha hai ji’…our kids will follow us. It is always a pleasure to read ur words Tina.
Wow what a connect to the quote.
I had read this quote many times but this connect was awesome.
well said, dil ko baccha hi rehne do, enjoy with your kids and later too and never let the child inside you be inactive.
As adults, we often read the world need creative minds and we wonder who are the creative ones.
This quote and your take Tina is for all parents like us who wish to keep the inner child alive, in them and their loved ones. It was a pleasure to read your letter, Tina.
That’s a heartfelt letter. Just love the fact no noni mean the reality that the inner child in us should always be encouraged.
#thatmadrasmomreads
woow such a heartfelt letter!
Can’t agree more. Am happy am able to keep that child in me alive 🙂
Yes, we can keep child within us alive always with our creativity and curiosity.
One of the best posts I have read so far on keeping the childlike curiosity and creativity alive in us, Tina. Loved every word of it! Best is how you have explained it via metaphors in a unique style of writing.
Awesome! What I observe in real life is that the artists, the creators age slowly. Does that mean the child in them refuses to grow old?
Wow.. such a beautiful letter to your daughter .Its a very inspiring piece Tina. We all are born creative but somewhere as we grow up, we get tied up by responsibilities and we foRget the child in us and our creativity and passion gets buried silently.
Letting the kids colour the world the way they want to, is the best thing that can be. Loved the quotes you used..and loved the way you want to colour the world along with Nadine. She surely is lucky to have you as a mother.
A lovely read!
The letter surely shows that you have kept the kid in you alive and are reliving all great moments with your daughter. Hope she sends you a beautiful reply for this letter soon. 🙂
Tina , very warm and love filled post. The very thoughtful lessons you have jotted down are for sure a treasure for your child. My favorite one and something that I myself try to practice is – small is big and letting the child within us free. Your kid will be thankful for this treasure coming from a sitting mom like you 😍
Can’t agree more on this , no matter what time brings alwayzz keep that child alive within us…
Loved what you have written. As a mother to a daughter I too wish d same
Being adult definitely doesn’t mean we r not suppose to act like child. N how much ever we grow up there’s still a child in us
I love your writing and this piece is no exception. Not just that, I picked up a few parenting tips from it as well. Thanks for sharing with is the first ever letter to Nadine. Makes it special indeed.
Thank you so much, Prerna! It means a lot. You should know that I love your inventive and humourous posts. Nadine’s now 10. So I thought she’s a little more mature to process this letter. 🙂