We are all Creators. Every moment of the day, we create our environment inside of ourselves. Our brain consistently envisions which aspects of our internal and external environments to focus on and expand, thus creating a new experience in the world.
Our created experience is part decision (to focus on a particular aspect), part genetic predisposition toward a type of reaction (with either a heightened or reduced physiological reaction), and part individual context (past experiences, past responses, modeling, etc.). We decide either to share or hide our created reality within our relationships. We may even decide to share or hide a created reality from ourselves. When we share our experience, we will often elicit a response that may be encouraging (Mentor), challenging (Challenger), grounding (Observer), or reflective (Creator). These responses illicit growth toward understanding self and others.
When encouraged by a Mentor, the Creator can learn what was cultivated (wisdom, knowledge, reactions) from the Mentor’s previous experiences while the Creator can recognize their own novel reaction (i.e., their created, diverse experience).
When confronted by a Challenger a Creator can hone or focus their creation. Emerald (2016) describes this well by writing, “A Challenger calls forth a Creator’s will to create, often spurring him or her to learn new skills, make difficult decisions, or do whatever is necessary to manifest a dream or desire” (p.103). The Challenger can also help the Creator learn that there are other contexts with which to examine their experience. The Challenger reminds us that there are other possible reactions based on their individual historical contexts, that are equally true and give us a greater understanding of any event. A Challenger’s need in this interaction is to be recognized or seen by the Creator (reflected). In other words, when we are being challenged, we are being asked to translate into the Challenger’s language and recognize that the Challenger understands the situation from their own context.
When grounded by the Observer, the Creator can take a non-judgmental, non-biased look at their creation from outside of themselves. This allows them to see the grounded, factual aspects of their creation separate from their personal relationship with it. In other words, with an Observer’s help, Creators can objectively see their creations.
Finally, when reflected by the Creator (the self), the act of reflecting is like an esoteric moment where we examine ourselves in the mirror. We learn more about ourselves and our own creations (reactions) as we internally reflect on our experiences. The more we reflect, the more capacity we have available to recognize and understand our own experience in the world.
