FINAL EXAM OR CREATIVE LAB? 

Ahhhh yes! The art of inquiry, sparked by those two magical words: “What if…?”

This humble question has the power to catapult both your creative journey and scientific explorations to unparalleled heights.

Imagine you live in a realm where you begin with this fundamental “what if” query, and suddenly, the creative universe — perhaps even your everyday life — unfurls into a vast landscape of endless possibilities. What an exciting day that would be!

Then, what if you were to apply this same question to the characters you create? What if you were to make one of your characters muster the courage to invite their crush to the Junior/Senior prom? What if you combine baking soda, lemon, and hydrogen peroxide? What if you boldly take that leap and quit your job, venturing into an unknown city like London with just your suitcase and your creative vision of what could be?

Ah, the tantalizing lure of “what if…”

A striking realization emerges regardless of the worlds we traverse — scientific or artistic — the essence remains the same. At the core, we all ask a question akin to what Stanislavski termed “The Magic If.”

This speculative query flings open the gates of potential, discovery, and novelty, infusing our lives with vibrancy and aliveness. “What if” is a dalliance with the unknown, a speculative adventure where the outcome is uncertain, and yet, we revel in the exhilarating journey of what could be.

All of life could be this grand Creative Lab where imaginative beings like us congregate to tinker with ideas, conduct playful experiments, and revel in the sheer wonder of it all. It’s a space where the allowed variables are defined, but the outcomes are a mystery, fueling our intrigue and fanning the flames of innovation.

Let’s flip the script and step into a different realm — the Final Exam.

An approach where life and creativity are akin to a meticulously laid-out test, each question preordained, waiting for us to mark “right” or “wrong.” It’s an approach steeped in predictability, where we study diligently, focusing only on the questions likely to end up on the final exam. We tunnel our vision, ignoring the rich, layered, endless landscape of possibilities beyond those predetermined questions.

But where’s the spark in predictability? The allure in mundanity? Whether scientific or creative, life gains vitality and luster when we embrace the perpetual exploration process.

It’s about stepping into the unknown, collecting experiences, and allowing ourselves to evolve. Life isn’t a Final Exam with a fixed set of questions and answers; it’s a grand and perpetual Creative Lab teeming with boundless potential for growth, transformation, and wonder.

So, here is the heart of the matter: Are you ready to exchange the predictability of a Final Exam for the exhilarating, ever-surprising journey of a Creative Lab? The choice is always yours, and in this choice, you’ll find the essence of your creative spirit and the true adventure of living.

Intrigued? What if you took the leap and embraced the Creative Lab within and around you? What could unfold in this marvelous experiment called life?

What if…?

Wishing you all good things on your journey ~~

Joshua