“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”I have been asked this question several times. My
answer is always the same: “I don’t know.” I wonder if that is really true or
if I am just afraid to acknowledge what is inside?
The conversation I had yesterday with the lovely, young lady
had another topic. It was about creativity. She said something to the effect
that creativity, to be good, could have no boundaries. I dwelled on that the
rest of the day and it has come back to me today.
When I was in fifth grade, I painted a picture. I do not
recall what I painted, but I know I worked
hard and was pleased with the results. The teacher, Ms. Paxton, who had lots of
freckles, put my picture along with all the other students’ art work on the
wall around the room as a display for our parents. My parents hardly looked at my picture, much less even
told me it was a good painting. I still remember the rejection and disappointment I felt. I think at that point I may have started to
squelch the creativity inside.
I firmly believe that each person is creative. It is not
always a tangible, obvious talent. Watch little children. They are always
creating and exploring, until they keep being told “no, do it this way”. Until,
one day, they think they have no creativity inside them, but really it is fear.
I encourage my children and anybody else, if you know your
creative gift, do not let fear stand in your way of pursuing that.
Whether it becomes something that can support you financially, or if it just
keeps you focused on who you are, find it and chase after it, don’t let it get
squelched.
Liz sent me this quote: “To live a creative life, we must
lose our fear of being wrong.” (Joseph Chilton Pearce).
So, what would you do if you
weren’t afraid?
