Sometimes we look at a beautiful painting or listen to a breathtaking melody and think, 'I could never do that.' We tend to view creativity as this magical, shimmering gift bestowed upon a chosen few, like a golden feather tucked away in a special nest. But John Cleese reminds us of something much more grounded and beautiful. He suggests that creativity isn't a rare talent you're born with, but rather a way of operating. It is a lens through which you view the world, a rhythm you choose to live by, and a way of approaching even the smallest tasks with curiosity and openness.

When we stop waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration and instead start looking at creativity as a habit, the pressure begins to lift. It becomes less about producing a masterpiece and less about how we handle the mundane moments of our day. It is about how we stir our morning tea, how we solve a tiny problem at work, or how we arrange the flowers in a simple glass jar. It is a choice to engage with life rather than just passing through it. This shift in perspective turns every ordinary moment into a potential canvas.

I remember a time when I felt quite stuck, sitting by my pond with a heavy heart, feeling like I had nothing new or interesting to say. I was waiting for a grand idea to strike me, feeling quite defeated when the silence persisted. Then, I decided to change my 'operating mode.' Instead of looking for a big idea, I started noticing the way the sunlight danced on the ripples of the water and the specific pattern of the reeds. I began to approach my writing not as a quest for genius, but as an exercise in noticing. By changing my way of operating, the creativity began to flow back into my life, one small observation at a time.

We all have this capacity within us, tucked away under our layers of doubt and routine. You don't need permission to be creative, and you certainly don't need to be an expert. You only need to decide that you are going to approach your day with a spirit of exploration. Whether you are cooking a new recipe, organizing your bookshelf, or simply finding a new way to say 'I love you' to a friend, you are practicing the art of being creative.

Today, I want to encourage you to look for one small way to change your operating mode. Pick a routine task and approach it with a sense of wonder or a tiny twist of novelty. Don't worry about the end result; just enjoy the way it feels to move through the world with a creative heart.