Cowbells and the essence of creativity

What makes something a powerful act of creativity?

When I realised that giant cowbells clanging at 5am on New Year’s Eve were not part of my dream but coming from outside my window, I was not too pleased. 

Twenty men in costume marching up our street with giant cowbells hanging from thick leather straps positioned across their shoulders, intent on warding off bad spirits for the new year. 

Welcome to Switzerland, a land of ritual, custom, history, superstition, and noise. 

But there’s something magical about witnessing a tradition dating back to Celtic times that will keep happening whether or not I’m here to see it. 

How’s that for a powerful and ongoing act of creativity?

This week’s Creativity Helm newsletter is about how the form creativity takes can surprise you.