Creativity and Destruction

Can there ever be any creativity without any destruction?

Have you heard the saying “you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs”? It’s true, isn’t it?

When a plant absorbs a photon during photosynthesis, the photon is consumed-- gone forever. But the plant is healthier for it.

When you burn a piece of wood, it’s gone forever. But you’re probably warmer for it.

When you eat lunch, the food is gone forever, but you get to live a bit longer.

When you paint, the blank canvas is destroyed, giving way to something new.

Even a creative act like creating music is destructive. The silence containing the music is destroyed.

Destruction and loss may seem bad—something you’d like to avoid. However, the truth is that destruction carries a gift within it. Destruction gives rise to new creativity, and it makes the present moment valuable.