The Daily Riff - BE SMARTER. ABOUT EDUCATION.

One of the best conversations on the subject of the arts in education, creativity and innovation is between Sir Ken Robinson, inarguably one of "the most gifted communicators" about creativity and Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and currently host of Fox's "Huckabee".

Sir Ken warns that not only does our individual sense of purpose and meaning in life come from identifying and pursuing our strengths, talents and interests, but our nation's economic health depends on it:  "Innovating means developing everybody's talents".

One revealing story Sir Ken shares is about how Paul McCartney and George Harrison, "one half of the Beatles" while both in the same music class, were each pegged by their music teacher as lacking in musical talent.  In addition, they both "hated" music class.  Makes one want to listen to Sir Ken's message a bit closer:

"Often talent is buried deep unless you look for it, and unless you give the encouragement and create the conditions for it to flourish, you don't discover it."

Huckabee warns of living the "coulda-shoulda" life, and with many of us re-inventing ourselves due to the chaotic new economic climate, why not pursue what may give your life some purpose and meaning ("things that excite you" and "make your imagination work") rather than just a band-aid or round of pain?

                                                                                                                 -- C.J.