But creativity is about more than simply creating bigger or better things or solving problems big or small. These are of course important parts of creativity and pursuing them is a worthy cause, but creativity serves other purposes.

Since the beginning of civilization humans have been using creativity as a mode of expression. This is evidenced by the cave paintings, etchings, and statues these people left behind as far back as 38,000 years ago. These artistic expressions exist cross culturally meaning that creativity is something innate to humans regardless of location or society. Perhaps even more incredibly these paintings come from a time when humans were still hunting to survive and living the lives of nomads. Even in times when the concept of free time was unheard of humans had a need to create. But why? Dr. Victor Shamas, a psychologist from the University of Arizona, states that creativity finds its initial motivation in freshness and transcendence. He says, “Freshness is the feeling that this moment is complete, genuine, and unlike anything one has felt before,” and, “[t]ranscendence is the sensation of breaking through existing limitations or obstacles in order to connect with something greater, such as an ideal or a hidden truth. We are drawn to creativity because it expands us, allowing us to know more, feel more, and be more.”