Why Tree-in-a-Box is the most creative thing I've ever done

I've been doing a lot of reading recently about creativity.  I've always thought I was a fairly creative person, but my latest readings really got me thinking about that assumption.  I started thinking about what I've done that could be considered exceptionally creative.  I've written some poems, made a Nemo Halloween costume, invented an alter ego.  But all of that pales in comparison to what I thought was going to be my million dollar idea: Tree-in-a-Box.

What was so creative about Tree-in-a-Box, you ask?  Well, to start it was truly a collaborative effort.  The genius idea was born in a car ride with my best friend.  I don't remember how exactly the conversation started or how it got to the end, but I do remember a lot of zigs and zags that led us down the path to creativity.  After reading the latest book by Keith Sawyer, a leader in the field of creativity research, I realize that zigs and zags are how creativity functions.  (I encourage you all to check out Sawyer's blog: http://keithsawyer.wordpress.com/)  Back to the story.  As the conversation unfolded, more and more details emerged and we began to get a clearer vision of what this product might look like.  But instead of letting the idea just die after the car ride, we went out the next day and purchased the materials to make a prototype.  And while making the sample, more ideas started to flow.  It wasn't enough to just put the tree in the box and paint a background mural, we had to write the back story that would make these bad boys sell.  As a writer, that may have been my favorite part.  My mom called us idiots while we were making this, but we believed we were geniuses.  And I think the final product proved us right.

I know.  You want one.  Unfortunately, this is the only one that exists.  But maybe after reading this post demand will soar to the point of mass production.

But I'm sure you're still wondering what makes this more creative than any of my other pursuits.  Well, like I said earlier, it was truly collaborative unlike some of my other creations, so it was born out of randomness and evolved to become what it is today.  Now I've had many other random collaborations, but unlike Dogs Delivering Mail, Raccoons on Airplanes, or Another Bad Vanilla Hammer Edition, Tree-in-a-Box actually materialized into something physical.  It's true that Tron the Ride was actually developed, but that was more an homage than an original idea.  So I further contend that the most creative thing I've ever done was Tree-in-a-Box.  But I guarantee it won't be the last.  I'm committed to further developing my creativity and I challenge you to do the same.  If you need some help getting started I highly recommend reading some of Keith Sawyer's books.

Appreciating Life's Random Moments

Every now and then, random thoughts pop into my head.  Often, those thoughts lead to spontaneous moments of levity.  For instance, today something inspired me to start acting out the Saturday Night Live Wild and Crazy Guys skit while waiting for an elevator.  I'm not sure what inspired this action, but I just went with it and had fun.  I didn't care if anybody might see me or what I might look like.  It just made me smile.  Moments like these happen to me all the time.  Don't deny it, you all have them too.  The question I have for all of you is, how many of you do the same thing?  How many of you sing along to the cheesy music in the grocery store?  Or start acting out movie scenes with yourself when you hear a trigger word?  For those that do, I applaud you.  Way to have fun and do your own thing!  For those that don't, why not?!  Have fun, be random, enjoy the silliness!  That's what makes life worth living.  Who cares what other people might think?! You never know, maybe they might join with you in one of your random moments.  You'll never know if you don't act on them.  Although, I will say you should exercise some judgement and common sense when choosing to do this.  Busting out a rendition of "End of the Road" might not be the most appropriate thing in the middle of a job interview.  But try appreciating some more of life's random moments and see how it makes you feel.  I can almost guarantee you'll smile more.

Celebrate National Park Week!

This week we celebrate National Park Week.  And many of the National Parks are waiving their entrance fees for visitors.  I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of that and go visit your local National Park.

The National Park Service is comprised of 401 sites, which include historical parks, national monuments, battlefields, recreation areas, and seashores.  Chances are there is a park near you!  And, in fact, 268 of the parks NEVER charge an entrance fee, making them even easier to bring your family.  Too often we take for granted that these parks, monuments, and historical sites are nearby.  We may talk about going all the time, but never actually follow through.  Well, now is as good a time as any.  Take a day off work, pull the kids out school and go explore and learn.  That's what the parks are there for.  The mission of the Parks Service is to conserve the environment within to allow future generations to enjoy.  In order to enjoy, you have to go.  So get out and go!  You won't regret it.

Some little known facts about our national parks: Yellowstone National Park (pictured above) was established by Congress as the nation's, and world's, first national park in 1872.  The national park system covers more than 84 million acres.  The largest is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and the smallest is Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial.  The National Parks provide habitat protection for 421 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals.  There are 27,000 historic structures and 100 million museum items.  With that said, imagine all that you could learn about in one visit!

Even you don't go this week, I hope you at least consider planning a trip to one of our national parks sometime in the near future.  They represent all that is positive in the world and we should really take advantage of that.  I want to leave you with a picture of my favorite national park, the Grand Canyon.  Enjoy!

Bracket of Awesome - Championship!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for!  The Championship in the Bracket of Awesome!

Championship Match - 2 High Fives vs 3 Making People Smile

Who wins?  This is it, it all comes down to this.  (The previous sentence brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.)  So let's take a look at the competitors.  The High Five, the universal celebration.  Everyone loves a high five.  It's a symbol of pride, a mark of accomplishment, an act of congratulations.  But what's the longest word in the English language?  Smiles!  Because there's a mile between the s's!  Admit it, you laughed.  And therein lies the power of making people smile.  It just makes people feel good.  And while, high fives have the same effect, there are just so many other ways to make people smile.

Therefore, the winner of the Bracket of Awesome is...

Making People Smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here's what the final bracket looks like: Bracket of Awesome - Final Results!

And like any other awesome bracket, we end it with a little One Shining Moment.

Bracket of Awesome - Final Four!

It's time for Final Four action in the Bracket of Awesome!

Semifinal #1 - 1 Root Beer vs 2 High Fives

Who wins? For three matchups Root Beer has been a dominant force.  The power of the taste buds has propelled it into the Final Four.  It's hard to go against such a superior blend of flavor.  Meanwhile, High Fives has quietly come out of the Grand Canyon bracket with little fanfare.  That's a little ironic considering high fives are such a celebratory gesture.  But while not everyone enjoys a frosty mug of root beer, high fives are universal.  Everyone loves getting a high five!

High Fives move on to the championship!

Semifinal #2 - 3 Making People Smile vs 1 Disneyland

Who wins? The power of smile is, well, powerful.  Smiles are infectious.  Smiles are inspiring.  Smiles are uplifting.  Disneyland creates many smiles on a daily basis.  Thrills, laughs, memories.  Disneyland has it all.  It's the Happiest Place on Earth!  But there are so many other ways to make people smile.  You can tell a corny joke.  You can make a funny face.  You can send a surprise text.  And that's why Making People Smile advances!

Making People Smile moves on to the championship!

vs

Here's what the bracket looks like heading into the championship!

Bracket of Awesome - Final Four!