I strive every day to strike a good balance between success and failure.This TED Talk with Elizabeth Gilbert illustrates my striving beautifully.
The following quote from the speech is riveting:
“I had to find a way to make sure that my creativity survived its own success.”.
– Elizabeth Gilbert
In an age that values creativity less and less, we do need to protect it fiercely.
I overheard a conversation with an adult family member yesterday. He was lamenting the sad reality of a creative’s existence. You’ve probably heard it before:
“They’re starving, and all artists starve.”
Funny how those who complain about the creative’s plight, often are big admirers of art (life, parenting, music, painting, cinema, etc.). So what gives? Is it really about starving and doing without? Is it really a dance with insanity to do what only seems to make sense to you?
As someone who tried to close and lock the door to my creative wiring, the wiring never goes away. I finally accepted it and learned to celebrate it. That was a crucial awakening.
For those who say retirement, promotions and prestige are the keys to a fulfilling life, that game is already been called.
Here are my 5 reasons to be creative:
What are some of your reasons for being creative?
“I find Zegna, with Gildo at its head, to be extremely open; they desired a collaboration with someone who could challenge their position.” – Stefano Pilati
I am a creative, so I get chills from a quote like the above. Mr. Pilati expresses the reality of what must be done in industry and beyond. It really doesn’t matter if you are a creative or not because the idea of challenging, openness and movement forward, is a process for all.
What if I told you that the manual needs to be thrown out? It’s not the foundation, just the manual. All those old rules gone like dust.
The world in which I live changed about ten years ago. It was and is the economy, the government, culture, and the spiritual. I know a few who are navigating in that reality, I know more who are arranging furniture on the Titanic.
Where are you at?
When I was twelve I knew I wanted to be this:
As time has moved on, I still am, and do desire to continue to be, an artist. The level and notice that comes my way always changes. Absolutely fine with me. I am an artist creating daily with words, with ideas with love, and with my life.
Many years ago I allowed the Matrix (corporations, people, religion, and more) to convince me that I was not an artist or someone wired with a lot of imagination and creativity. It whispered ever so softly that I needed put the "art" away and remember the importance of security. It almost worked, but I wanted and got my life back. I write the following with great emphasis:
Get your life back! Whatever you must do, get your life back.
Now, here are the lessons I've learned in this motion picture: