Creativity = Out of the Box

by Jayne Behman

One of the many benefits of an education in the arts is the development of the right side of the brain. This side of the brain lends itself to creative problem solving. Even though one may question the concept of cerebral dominance of one side of the brain over the other, one must admit that in today's challenging economic climate, financial success stories are about those tycoons that have performed their tasks "out of the box." 

When a person develops dominance towards one side of their brain, they tend to have certain characteristics and areas of interest. Dominant right or dominant left brain users, herein referred to as "braincases," can be organized into various categories relating to jobs and interests. 

The left side of the brain is often thought of as the logical, thinking side. These people are good at or like things that are done in the left-brain. They prefer classical music, are good at math, and like to read; preferably in total quiet. Doing things in a planned orderly way, they think in a logical manner. If you don't enjoy clowning around or you can't be hypnotized, you may be a left braincase.  Dog lovers are left brain dominant. Reading realistic stories but preferring to write non-fiction is also a stated quality of this side of the brain's dominance.  

Do you easily remember things specifically studied or do you prefer your instructions to be given to you verbally. Almost never absent minded, left braincases are marvelous storytellers, but think better sitting down.  Music critics, bankers, and Bacteriologists are left braincases. 

A cat lover, good at art and who enjoys making up drawings and images, has the ability to be hypnotized, is good at sports, prefers visual instructions with examples, enjoys clowning around, prefers rock music, can listen to music or TV while studying, may be considered a dreamer about things that will probably never happen; these are all characteristics of a right braincase. 

Right brain dominant people are good at geometry, prefer to be in groups, like to act out stories, and they think better lying down. Occasionally right braincases are absent minded. They are spontaneous, unpredictable, and philosophical, solve problems intuitively, and prefer to learn through free exploration. 

At first glance I would have pegged Linna Thomas, founder and owner of Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, as a left-brain dominate. She has been with her partner, Lance, for 37 years and recently moved from the home she occupied for 33 years because of very logical and well planned reasons.   

Graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in literature, Linna planned to become a teacher. She earned her Kindergarten though 12th grade teaching credential.  A chain of unplanned events catapulted her move from Seattle to Oregon. There, she forged what would become lifelong friendships. The four girlfriends sought to discover life in California.  

Coalesce Bookstore opened in 1973, a joint effort between Linna and Janet Brown. Simply stated, they wanted to create a bookstore where one could find everything. Beginning in a small weathered house on Harbor Boulevard near Market Street—a location now occupied by the Blue Sail Inn. Slowly their growing collection of books took over this small space. Linna has been soloing this business since 1977, dedicating her successes to her dear friend who recently passed.  Since 1981 Coalesce Bookstore and Garden Wedding Chapel have been located at 845 Main Street in Morro Bay.  Moving to this location allowed Linna to achieve her dreams for the perfect bookstore. 

She believes in books as a tool to change lives, to bring smiles and knowledge to people. Every nook, cranny, bookcase, and some floor space, is filled with hard cover and paperback books as well as proposed craft projects.  Emphasis is placed on inspirational books.  

"Coalesce" means to bring together, to coagulate, and to clutter up. This dictionary definition satisfies Linna's business plan to bring people and events together under one roof.  The site of the bookstore offers a beautiful garden area. The community is invited to use this space as a meeting place.  Monthly musical events and book signings help to create an exciting and living atmosphere. 

Linna has never written a book, at least not yet.  If she did, she would write on the experiences in the world of weddings. As an ordained nondenominational minister she has married thousands of couples over the past 25 years. From those experiences she possesses an abundance of material for a book or television showcase.  Marriage is a pivotal point in people's lives and she has been standing right in the middle of it. Linna confesses she will not write fiction. 

Is Linna functioning as a right brain dominant or left-brain dominant? Initially I would have pegged her as a left braincase. But, after experiencing her bookstore's environment, how she lives life in such a creative way, and because she confessed she had two cats and named them Amos and Andy, certainly she would be placed in a right brain category.

As a visual artist I consider myself a right brain dominant. I love dogs, possess good business sense, prefer instructions to be given to me visually, but rely on common and intuitive sense. Sports are not a part of my lifestyle.   

Factually, the right brain controls the left side of the body and the left-brain controls the right part of the body. We are certainly ambidextrous, or maybe and simply, no-brainers!