A Great Adventure

I have been a creative person my entire life. I think the art of creativity is a powerful one, and can apply to more than just tangible objects. While I adore design in all forms, as well as fine art, I also love how creativity can help you accomplish certain tasks. I love music for its ability to inspire. I also love nature for its magnificent beauty and power. I have been a rock climber for almost 9 years now, and I find that the more I do it, the more I need to know and to learn about it. I have climbed every sort of rock imaginable, and all forms of climbing from sport to trad to bouldering.

Today I climbed my first 5.12 climb. For those of you who don’t know climbing terminology, a 5.12 is a VERY difficult climb. In fact only about 10% of the climbing population can climb that hard and as a woman, the percentile goes down even further. What I noticed firsthand about this climb was that it really forced me to look at the rock in a different light. When I climb an easier route, I climb the most obvious path in the most obvious way…this would make more sense on a vertical face. If you see a large ledge or a handhold that is easy to grip and pull yourself up, you grab the hold. But on the climb today, it was as if I had to look at the rock not for big easy holds, but for tiny little ledges, counter-holds and edges that can be held using only friction, rather than force. Balance was a big part of the climb as well. I found this climb to be extremely beautiful because of the required technique and precision and creativity to climb it. To find the exact movements of each and every part of your body and move through each one gracefully and fluidly is the ultimate goal. I found that feeling today, perched on the side of a vertical rock face, and it was awesome.

I realized that creativity is a powerful tool that can be used for just about any situation that life presents. Finding the use of this creativity helps to separate those who are innovators and leaders in their respective fields, whether it be in an office, on a playing field, or on stage. Creativity is a key to success and essential for growth.