March 14 is the 120th anniversary of Einstein’s birth. Einstein has become an archetype of the creative force, and a vivifying symbol of our creative potential.

Einstein reminds us to cultivate and celebrate our imagination, curiosity and playfulness. As he wrote, “Study, and in general, the pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.” Einstein loved to daydream creatively and his most profound insights came through what he called “Imagination Experiments.”

If you want to read a comprehensive biography, I recommend Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson.

If you’d like to learn more about applying Einstein’s example to developing your own creativity then please consult the chapter of Discover Your Genius entitled: Albert Einstein: Unleashing Your Imagination and Combinatory Play.

You may also enjoy listening to the music that represents the Einstein principle from Discover Your Genius: Music to Help You Think Like History’s Ten Most Revolutionary Minds Music CD.

Celebrate Einstein’s birthday by musing on a few of his words:

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.

Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.