The Art Of Mind’s Blog


Pressure to Create

“Curving back upon my own nature, I create again and again.”- Bhagavad-Gita

In the gifted person the calling to create can frequently be a relentless yearning. Innate characteristics of the gifted individuals such as seeking a deeper meaning and purpose; immense satisfaction in problem solving; constant curiosity and viewing a creative task from different perspectives, naturally urges them towards creativity. It’s as if all these traits merge together and become a compelling force from within to seek out creative challenges. In Mary-Elaine Jacobsen’s book, The Gifted Adult, she best describes this drive as never really ceasing, but instead oscillates in intensity, always to return.

“Everyday Geniuses’ need to create the best that they are capable of is not something that goes away with time. It’s not something we can excise, or a job from which we can expect to happily retire. To be sure, the intensity of creative pressure does ebb and flow, but like the tide, it always comes back. Unless we are extraordinarily hindered, sooner or later we must comply with the creative spirit’s urgings, because it is more persevering than any attempt by our thinking mind to ignore our gifts. Living everyday with the need to create is like sharing a room with a hyperactive little brother who elbows you, tugs at your shirtsleeve, and tweaks your ear repeatedly until you give him your undivided attention.”

Perhaps what fuels this drive is the tremendous satisfaction, the gifted person experiences during and after the creative process. Resulting in a release of such overwhelming pressure to utilize their talents and skills. Annemarie Roeper, founder of Roeper School of the Gifted and the Roeper Review, best describes this aspect as a “feeling of aliveness.”

“Gifted adults may be overwhelmed by the pressure of their own creativity. The gifted derive enormous satisfaction from the creative process….the whole process is accompanied by a feeling of aliveness, of power, of capability of enormous relief and of transcendence of the limits of our own body and soul. The ‘unique self’ flows into the world outside. It is like giving birth. Creative expression derives directly from the unique Self of the creator, and its activation brings inherent feelings of happiness and aliveness, even though they may be accompanied by less positive emotions, such as sadness, fear and pain.”— Gifted Adults: Their Characteristics and Emotions (Advance Development, 3)

She also touches on what can happen if the gifted person is suppressed or hindered from releasing such creative energy. “Just as the creative process creates a feeling of happiness, the greatest unhappiness can occur if it is interfered with or not allowed to happen. In that case the inner pressure cannot be released.”

It is common for the gifted person to suppress his or her own curiosities and creative urges as an attempt to avoid being perceived as odd or different. However doing so, can bring about a deep dissatisfaction in one’s life. Instead the gifted person should honor and embrace such natural forces and channel them in ways that will express his or her creative potential.



My absence & return
October 15, 2009, 6:04 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

I know for many of those who have so kindly kept up with The Art of Mind Blog, must have felt disappointed by the absence of entries in recent months. I hope I haven’t lost too many of you. My apologies. I’ve taken some time off but am now back to try to continue this topic on Giftedness and other topics relating to creativity and living an artistic life. Nice to be back :-)



Characteristics of the Gifted Individual
February 9, 2009, 6:33 am
Filed under: Creative Personality, Giftedness, Talent Development | Tags:

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“Every gift contains a danger. Whatever gift we have we are compelled to express. And if the expression of that gift is blocked, distorted, or merely allowed to languish, then the gift turns against us, and we suffer.”
— L. Johnson

In the previous Blog entry I briefly mentioned some of the general traits of being Gifted. To further expand, the characteristics are usually broken down into six categories: General Intellectual Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability, Leadership Ability, Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics and Psychomotor Characteristics. Again keeping in mind that the Gifted person doesn’t have to display all of these traits to be considered Gifted.

The following information came from Duke University Talent Identification Program.

General Intellectual Ability

  • Shows an intense interest and curiosity in a variety of subjects. As a result, has a tendency to question everything and seek in depth information about the specific area of interest.
  • Has an extensive vocabulary when speaking and articulates well verbally.
  • Avid reader and may have started reading at an early stage.
  • Processes information differently and at a rapid rate, therefore able to learn quickly.
  • Keen ability to problem solve through logical thinking, integrating ideas from subjects and able to understand and grasp meaning of abstract concepts.
  • Shows ability for focused concentration. Highly observant and perceptive.
  • Specific Academic Ability

  • Displays unusual capacity to absorb large quantities of information as well as able to retain the information.
  • Comprehension abilities are at advanced levels.
  • Highly competent working with numbers.
  • Intense and persistent around working towards goals
  • Shows a long attention span, especially on a topic of intense interest
  • Creative Ability

  • Displays ability for adaptable and flexible processing during problem solving.
  • Ability to postpone final solution or product until completely processed.
  • Enjoys challenges.
  • Has a vivid imagination and able to come up with original ideas and clever solutions.
  • Shows innovation in written, oral or artistic expression.
  • Displays independent thinking.
  • Sharp and clever sense of humor
  • Has a sense of adventure and doesn’t mind taking risks.
  • A predisposition for individuality and nonconforming
  • Leadership Ability

  • Is able to access and evaluate not only self, but others.
  • Tendency towards perfectionism and holds high expectations for self and others.
  • Easily self critical.
  • Advanced ability to understand and interpret social problems both cognitively and emotionally.
  • Displays a degree of self-confidence.
  • Very Responsible and dependable.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment, but also tends to take on the leader role.
  • Is free to express opinions and is comfortable questioning authority.
  • Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics

  • Can become easily overwhelmed emotionally.
  • Sensitive to feelings and expectations of others.
  • Highly self aware.
  • Tends towards idealism with social concerns such as fairness and justice.
  • Contains a depth and intensity when it comes to emotions and compassion.
  • Highly values following through principles with person actions.
  • Has a strong sensitivity and conviction around moral judgment.
  • Values ongoing self-actualization.
  • Psychomotor Characteristics

  • Due to a heightened sense of awareness has a tendency to take in large amounts of environmental stimulation.
  • Tendency towards Asynchronous (physical and intellectual development does not occur simultaneously).
  • Tends to be highly energetic.


  • Giftedness
    January 30, 2009, 7:23 pm
    Filed under: Creative Personality, Giftedness, Talent Development

    The more I learn about Giftedness, the more I have discovered an overlap amongst the creative, highly sensitive personality and giftedness. It appears the characteristics and traits run side by side. Inspired by the information I’m discovering, I’m beginning a series focused on Giftedness. I will explore such aspects as What is Giftedness, the different characteristics of being Gifted, the emotional challenges, misconceptions and so on.

    What is Giftedness? Although many specialists have attempted to define Giftedness, due to conflicting definitions, there is still much confusion. One of the causes for the confusion is that Giftedness doesn’t always appear in a single skill, but can show up in a multitude of talents as well as emotional characteristics. Giftedness was once measured by academic achievement or extreme intelligence. However, traits such as highly empathetic, very observant, creative, highly curious and even underachieving are also part of the gifted person.

    Stated in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, gifted individuals display high performance in areas such as general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive thinking, leadership ability, visual or performing arts and psychomotor ability. Giftedness doesn’t necessarily appear in all of theses areas, but can appear either in one or multiple of areas.

    Joseph S. Renzulli, an Educational Psychologist, viewed the gifted as individuals who are capable of combining all three characteristics of above-average abilities, discipline or motivation, and extreme creativity and applying them to any area of human performance (1986).

    Some of the basic gifted traits can be described as the following:

    Highly motivated
    Perfectionism
    Sharp sense of humor
    Highly sensitive and empathetic
    Imaginative
    Problem solving abilities
    Very perceptive/observant
    Intense interest
    Insightful
    Understands abstract concepts
    Creative
    Superior reasoning abilities
    Highly curious
    Unusual long-term memory
    Contemplative
    Learns rapidly
    Overwhelmed easily by interests/abilities</em

    If you think you might be gifted, you can run through the Gifted Self-Test found on Rocamora School’s website.

    Other links:
    NSGT (National Society of Gifted & Talented)
    SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
    Gifted Adults
    NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children)
    Gifted 101



    A Journey Without A Destination

    roadunknown

    Like getting in the car bound on an adventure, without a known destination, but to discover where the road might take you, do you yield to spontaneity? Are you one who comfortably dances with the mysterious, or do you become anxious by the unknown? How often does the artist approach the creation of an art piece with a distinct road map leading to the end product? Does a composer launch a piece of music with the finished result clearly calculated, knowing exactly how it will play out? Are the characters in a screenplay already evolved before the first act is written? Or in contrast, is it liberating to surrender to the natural creative process and allow alchemy to unfold?

    Although we understand that the creative process doesn’t always operate with a blue print, it is tempting to grasp onto something concrete and secure in hopes of guarantying success. However, part of the beauty and thrill of the creative process is that it can have a life of its own and its destination refuses to be charted. Pre-planning and having expectations hinders our instincts and can prevent us from going down an unforeseen path; a path that might just uncover originality.

    I have known artists and writers who played it safe by starting out with a sealed proof plan for their project, hoping this would avoid disaster. They go through great lengths to ensure the out come by over planning, over thinking and over researching. I don’t believe creativity can always been contained within the safe confines of a detailed map. Sometimes the most novel creations blossom within a loosely planned idea. When the artist allows him or her self to take risks and face the possibility of failure this opens the channels for one’s unique style to come through.

    It is easy to become addicted to affirming ones talents and value as an artist by seeking guaranteed success. It requires practice, letting go of the seduction of predictability and the familiar. When you relinquish control, trust your intuition and allow the mystery of the creative process to guide you towards the splendor of the unknown, what can occur might be more than you had even imagined. So why not give it a try.