Why not dream and dance? Why not walk the paths and tracks unmade? Why not wander in mind in the opposite direction? Why not? Why not choose to express your individuality? Why not be weird and unconforming? Why not create something new? Why not? This world has seen too many copies Our souls have been tightly packed into neat cardboard boxes Of niceties and politeness Long enough We have betrayed ourselves Long enough When our brothers and sisters Who have gone too far To know the whispers of their soul Much like ourselves When they Wrapped in brown tape and sticky labels above their hearts When they Speak in fear and doubt Be the one to rise up Break free of the stickiness that bind you Look into their eyes Bravely, tender, powerfully And ask, “Why not?”
The world needs stronger artists. The world needs more of us to act with courage.
What happens to us when we see a piece of art?
Most of us are sensitive to aesthetically beautiful things. Sometimes, for some of us, a piece of art brings a sense of pure bliss and peace.
For some of us, it might bring a strong sense of disgust. And for others? Confusion or blankness, they might say, “What is this about huh?”
Nevertheless, there is a reaction. Art evokes a reaction out of us all. This kind of reaction begins with the art interacting with an inner part of us, no matter how bland or strong in emotion, before we, as an audience, even in a split second or sometimes many minutes more, begin to try to articulate it to another of what we are feeling in the presence of this art.
Sometimes, that piece of art cannot even be properly described.
Art and creativity transcends language. It cuts right to the chase, even when art involves using words.
Now, imagine a world without creativity. There would be no new ideas. There would be no innovations. There would be no surprise.
Imagine a world without creatives, a world without artists. We would all be asleep. There would be no revolutions. There would be no rebellion. There would be no magic.
We live in a world that celebrates and fears uniqueness at the same time. Both within us and within others.
When we see someone who dare to walk in a slightly different way than the rest of us- perhaps they are hopping on one foot as they walk, just because- we may either call them a genius or “good for them!” Or point and laugh and say that is the stupidest thing we have ever seen.
But that is what artists do.
We create. We have no other option but to create.
And I’m not talking just about the traditional kind of art and artists. I’m talking about those amongst us who dare to envision something they want to bring to the rest of us, perhaps something that has never been done before - and really really try to see that into fruition.
I’m also talking about those amongst us, who perhaps through a series of trials and tribulations or even from a young age, know that they are here to live a life they want to live. And with that in mind, they will go about to see that into fruition.
In both circumstances, there are no kind of inhibitions; these artists, these creatives are unapologetically themselves.
It takes courage. A whole ton of bravery. This kind of act is a battle against our inner selves, a child within who is prone to easily be wounded, against the big wide world outside.
I wrote this poem about a year ago when I found a place within me that was a creator; an artist. Both in the literal sense and in a soulful sense. I found a place within that was more than just Win, who had a body and walked and talked.
This part of myself was powerful and unique. And I wanted to be in touch with that part of me forever.
Remember earlier, when I was talking about the artists and creators who are unapologetically themselves? The ones who may decide to hop on one foot to walk, just because?
Well, in turns out that for the majority of us, that kind of daringly wild expression is a process.
There is an ebb and flow to this kind of remembrance and I most find it when I am in the act of creation- when I am painting or writing or developing new ideas.
There is a process to this kind of remembrance because first, we find it in ourselves. In the beginning, it’s like a little secret that we keep within. A shock to our system. Especially when we have lived a certain way for so long. We dare not to let this self out for the fear of judgement or confused yet- how do we even begin to show and articulate this to the people around us?
Our relationship to the artist and creator within is a process indeed, even for the most confident of us.
That’s why, more and more I am finding the value of the work I put out into the world. Sometimes, just the fact that I am painting means I am shifting the system, both internally within myself and externally in this world.
I am shifting the system because in that space of creating a piece of magic I sense from within, and realising that it is magic, I am no longer in a space of fear, doubt or anxiety. I am present. I am using my body. I am creating.
I do believe that we all have the capability of using our bodies and minds in many unique ways, that are true for ourselves. But to express that externally and to be seen, to dare to walk the paths unmade and in a direction we see for us, requires total bravery and courage.
As artists and creators, we may be courageous to do the work but wild and tender hearts and all, we ought to exercise our hearts as a muscle when we choose to let ourselves be seen and heard. Especially if you are pulling out something vulnerable and intrinsic to you. Let’s say if we do decide to hop on one foot suddenly and decide that is the way we will walk, no matter the kind of reception we get, we must keep on walking.
What I’m trying to say is that our work is precious. And it is magical. It is worth sharing. It is worth expressing.
Who else will know you more than you know yourself?
Who else can show up for your work if you don’t show up for yourself?
Who else will stick up for you, if you don’t stick up for yourself and your magical work?
Who knows what kind of container such an expression of ours will be held in. The container will ebb and flow as we honour ourselves and our work more.
Have I said that it requires total bravery and courage?
But we also don’t need to be precious with it. Whilst we wait perhaps for a response from a publisher about our book or whilst we wait for people to enrol into our course or whilst we grow our audience, we keep creating. We keep doing the work. We keep sticking up for ourselves.
Because our well of creation is not limitless. It is a deep and infinite black hole where all kinds of things are waiting to emerge.
We may start with one thing and end up with a completely different thing. Our ideas may look crazy to us in the beginning as well but as we follow the depths of our intuition, it may be what needs to come out at this day and age. Perhaps in a different container to what we thought we needed.
Give it all a chance. Give yourself the chance. Give your work a chance.
The world needs stronger artists. The world needs more creators.
Contemplations
:
Where in your life are you playing small and safe?
How do you want to express your uniqueness?
What do you want to say right now to the world?
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