Technology, Creativity, & Finding Peace

Opinion-Editorial

By Madison Moore-Lynch with Black Olive Media

Technology, Creativity,

& Finding Peace

Creativity may be the key to that peaceful life you dream of.

The current landscape of society centers around technology. And, while that is not inherently negative, it is undeniably and drastically changing the way we operate day to day. Even now, at this very moment, if you’re reading these words, you’re most likely looking at a computer screen. Technology is everywhere, anywhere, and in the age of increased access to information and rapid technological advancements — intellectual curiosity may be declining.

Some of you think this axle shift is obvious, or you may argue the contrary, that intellectual curiosity is actually positively impacted due to the surplus of resources at our fingertips. But access does not mean motivation. Having more access to information does not mean more individuals want to learn.

Nowadays, we can plug in whatever questions we have on the web, and in a click of a button, our answers come to us. There is no longer this feeling of urgency to learn a topic through and through. And increases in consumption habits only exacerbate this further.

In an article exploring our current technological landscape, Avi Cohen writes, “the digital age appears to be rewiring our brains in ways that complicate deep thinking and sustained focus.” He expands, discussing how recent research reveals that this shift “poses long-term risks to intellectual potential.” Intellectual potential is at risk. And while this is incredibly alarming, it is not irreversible. 

It’s less a matter of lacking desire for intellectual stimulation and lifelong learning, and more of a matter of discipline. In today’s current climate, who has the level of discipline and attention span required to learn something for themselves, without relying on the internet? What if I told you this one specific quality, in today’s current landscape, may open the door towards that freedom and peaceful life you picture in your dreams?

Stick with me.

Now more than ever, non-disciplined individuals are further slowed in finding their passion. This is not because of lack of discipline alone, but as research reveals, the internet, practically information Dollar General, gives us so many ideas for what we can do and who we can be — endless possibilities that perhaps we may not have even considered prior. It’s good to explore, vital even, but it’s also astronomically difficult to pin down what your passions are when your brain is naturally wired to seek out… more. Or when more is just always… available.

And as we know, passion, doing what you love, loving what you do, this is the invisible marker that blurs those lines between work and play. What is also true, however, is that practice makes perfect — well, at least close. And without discipline, people who enjoy learning as much as they can, may find themselves drowning before they learn to swim.

Discovering the paths out there is magical, don’t get me wrong, but discipline is crucial. With it, we may begin to hone in on specific interests, take the time to sit down and practice, and develop a relationship with it. We begin to understand it more and more until we ultimately become fluent in the language. It starts to indirectly influence the spaces we occupy, how we move, and who we become.

It’s a lot like discovering a new movie. Not just any movie but rather, a movie that instantly finds its place in your top 10 — one that speaks to your soul and makes you feel seen, one that perhaps was released before you were even born. It has always been there… it was simply waiting for you to find it.

Finding it, your passion(s), your purpose, this is the greatest gift. And when you open it, a more freeing and peaceful life is waiting right there on the other side.

The answer? Create more than you consume. Not only can this reverse our intellectual decline, it may also lead you to freedom, happiness, and peace simultaneously. That’s a win, win.

What can you do today that will better your tomorrow? Whatever your answer is, do that. Use technology as a tool to discover, unlock your truth, and then go out and hone your skills. Create, create, and create some more. Become who you’ve always been. The time is now.