This morning, I came across an interview with Martha Beck, and something she said really stuck with me:
“The only way we’re going to fix the problems we’ve made with our fear-based behavior—the only way to solve problems this big—is to access the incredible capacity of human creativity.”
While the challenges we face, both individually and as a nation, extend beyond fear-based behaviors, they are undoubtedly shaped by them. And I think she’s onto something. These challenges demand more than just solutions; they require a fundamental shift in how we approach them—with steady ingenuity, a kind of calm creativity, and unwavering fortitude. Perhaps this is why great artists and creatives have long wrestled with the state of the world, using their work to make sense of both chaos and beauty.
Part of why I’m so inspired to share my thoughts on the creative process is that I’m not sure everyone realizes creativity isn’t just the realm of artists, it’s a force within all of us, a wellspring of possibility. What if we tapped into that collectively? What if, instead of succumbing to fear or division, we galvanized around new ways of thinking, building, and being? Imagine what could emerge if we came together with intention, curiosity, and a willingness to reimagine what’s possible.
© Alana Foy 2025
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