Member-only story
Catalyst for Creativity
Finding Opportunity in the Unexpected
The Power of Catalysts: Finding Growth in Chaos
What would life be without the unexpected catching us off-guard?
I first explored this question through art last June, creating a surreal image of a cat with piercing green eyes amid a chaotic swirl of colors and shapes. The word that emerged from this creation was “Catalyst” — and how fitting it turned out to be.
In those moments of chaos and disorder, there often emerges a spark, a force that — if recognized and engaged with — has the power to ignite change. These moments are our catalysts.
Understanding the Catalyst
The word “catalyst” comes from the Greek “katalysis,” meaning ‘loosening’ or ‘dissolution.’ It suggests an element that disrupts, breaks down, or opens a pathway to transformation. In chemistry, a catalyst speeds up reactions by lowering the activation energy needed. In our lives, catalysts work similarly, creating shifts that might have otherwise remained dormant.
When these catalytic moments strike, our instinctive reaction is often resistance or fear. They create uncertainty and rattle our comfort zones. But here’s the thing — feeling those walls shake isn’t always bad. The…
