Creation Creates

We create because we are the universe continuing to create. The universe was created, and started to form itself into quarks, protons, neutrons, atoms, chemicals, gases, liquids, solids, asteroids, moons, planets, solar systems, galaxies, to continue to build itself into life that could reflect in on itself (as far as we know), and continue to create because that is just what the universe does. We create because there is nothing more or less to do. We do not live to only survive, but to continue our “work” as part of the universe.

I don’t like the term “work” because English and capitalism have bastardized it so much. The term “work” makes us feel shame for not being productive, when we are valuable in ourselves just for being alive. There is nothing that we do or don’t do that should be able to take away our humanity. We’re not in the Universe to work, but to create. We continue to create to just see where it goes. There’s no reason to love all results of creation, but there’s reason to admire the act itself.

I am not the first and I will not be the last to gush about creation. I will not be the first or last of anything memorable in the literal astronomical expanse of time, but I have a need to create as a being of the universe. To be remembered is a nice side effect of creation, but the point of creation is not to be remembered, but to just be.

Enjoy being, enjoy creating.

Of course, there are still injustices in the world to correct. “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible” - Toni Cade Cambarayou, and the revolution is present because we are trying to enjoy ourselves as beings, and there are still those in higher positions of power who don’t want us to even be alive. So we create to show we are alive, and human, and our own forms of divinity just by creating. And we uplift others through creating too. Creation is not just for yourself as an individual. The universe does not rest on you. The universe wants the energy that you feel when you discuss ideas to create something new, when you see something that another being created and you cannot explain your attachment to it, when there are still new ways to talk about the same things.

Creation is the point. Art is priceless, therefore it is cheap to create, and it should be. It should be cheap to create and view. However, if you want to use someone else’s art, then you should compensate them for it. Don’t steal art. I have seen some of my favorite art pieces at community museums. I also love them because people have chosen to have their art displayed, unlike large Western museums that are mostly stolen art, and then don’t even give people of color proper credit. The Mona Lisa is not the Epitome of art, just like humans are not the pinnacle of evolution. The act of creation is humbling and divine. We create because there is nothing else to do, and everything to make.

Creation is not the opposite of tradition. Traditions are to keep us grounded, to find comfort, to find sanctuary. Everyone needs and deserves a comfortable home and refuge, regardless of what they do and whether they can afford it. The violence that comes with ripping away traditions, customs, and refuge is antithetical to creation. Tradition was created, and is there to connect us to the creations of our ancestors. Creation is not about “new” and traditions are not about “old.” They are the duality, spectrum, dimensions, of being a being of the universe. One is home, and one is adventure, and both are needed, and there’s no telling which is which.