What is a resource and how do we value it? I would imagine that most people will immediately think of the natural resources – gold, oil, trees, water, and a whole host of others. The value of those minerals is in direct to proportion to supply and demand in the world economy. People dream of finding that ‘lost mine’ or new oil reserves.
The question does need to be asked, what is the greatest resource? If you were to consider all the resources available on this planet, and maybe in the universe, which one would rank number one? Many would want to check the latest stock market values before choosing. But do dollars dictate the most valuable resource?
Let’s take this to another level of thinking. What makes any of the resources listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any of the trading markets of the world of any value? Why does oil have any value? Who gave it value?
The incredible resource is people. People have the awesome ability of creativity. What is creativity and why is it important? Creativity can be defined as “the making of something new, or the rearranging of something old.” It has been estimated that the human mind is probably infinite in its creative capacity.
Since I believe that this is true – man/woman does have an almost unlimited creative capacity – what has happened to the vast majority of people? What is it that has stifled our creative ability? What is it that has caused us to bury our creative ability?
Have you ever wondered if our drive for education has hindered or enhanced our creative ability? And to be fair, our drive to be entertained? When did we become more interested in being a spectator than being a participant?
I remember when our son rushed home after school to watch the latest episode of some TV program. It got to the point where he didn’t want to go out with us because some program was on he wanted to see. He didn’t know how to play by himself with the toys he had. The way we solved the problem was to get rid of the TV for three years. TV had robbed him of his creative abilities.
Multiplied millions of people will go through their lives watching others live. Creativity died somewhere along their life’s journey. Creativity doesn’t die on its own. Creativity dies for a number of reasons. Reasons include: parents who control how and what to play with; our education system that says, color inside the lines; friends who laugh at our ideas; gangs that say you can only belong if you do it my way.
All of us who are parents remember either birthdays or Christmases after all the presents were opened the child just wanted to play with the boxes and wrapping paper. It drives parents nuts so we politely yell at the child to play with the toys not the boxes.
Companies and corporations kill creativity because managers and bosses are afraid of anyone who has a better idea than they do. They are afraid that somehow they’ll lose their position.
Somehow we have to get back to the understanding that people are the greatest resource. We did not get to this place in time without the creativity of people. The number one resource is people. How are you using your creativity? If you are a parent how are you helping your children develop their creativity? Or, are you telling them to be like everyone else?
I worked in the corporate world for 15 years - oil & gas taxation, payroll account. The next 27 years have been spent in church ministry. Internet Marketing is allowing retirement. www.jamesfheller.com
