Creativity in the Storm: The Power of Sudden Clarity. Spring brings stormy weather that change instantly. That is what happened back in the spring of 1989 when our house was hit by lightning in the middle of the night. It traveled down the chimney and blew a hole in the roof and into our bedroom. It felt like it came out of nowhere. But it didn’t. Lightning never does. It needs buildup — moisture, tension, conditions we don’t see but somehow feel in the air.
Creativity works the same way. We think the idea comes in a flash. And it does — but only after we've wandered, tried, messed up, and stayed curious. That jolt of inspiration? It’s not luck. It’s a reward for your openness. For your effort. For your willingness to keep working even when things feel dull or directionless.
And yes, it can feel wild when it arrives. Like something unexpected. But it picked you for a reason. You were ready.
Whether or not you call yourself an artist, you’ve felt that flash — the moment a solution, a vision, or an idea lit up your mind. That’s creativity. It doesn’t belong to a chosen few. It belongs to anyone willing to pay attention.
Painting “Find the Opening” 36x48