Just recently it occurred to me that many of the problems I face in life stem from my own tendency to hold myself back. I believe that the universe is responsive to our thoughts and feelings - essentially, we get what we focus on. If I feel myself lacking in a certain area of my life (financially, say) then it's probably the result of my feeling unworthy of anything above and beyond my current lot, for example.

So no more being passive, I thought. No more acting cool about things that bother me. If someone transgresses over my boundaries then I'll let them know in no uncertain terms. Go for broke. Isn't that what all the artists I'd ever admired had done? Wasn't their very refusal to compromise what brought them to the heights they attained, both in their artistic expression and in the (albeit eventual) recognition they received?

Then, in a somber moment of reflection, another thought occurred to me: self-expression, and safeguarding one's integrity, means a lot more than simple aggression. What about the other side of the coin: ideals, compassion, affection and love?

As much as I might sometimes be afraid of offending people with my truth, I'm equally scared that my trut

h will bring me closer to them. After all, doesn't cynicism pass for wisdom and worldly knowledge these days? Isn't it hard to express idealism for the human race, to nurture hopes and dreams for all that it can accomplish, without looking a little naïve?

I've known that I had to take some risks but I was a little surprised to see what form those risks might take. To dare to be optimistic? To dare to say that life is sacred and humanity is blessed and that I write for love of all creation?

But the truth is, creative people are idealistic anyway. No one who was a real nihilist would ever set pen to paper or brush to canvas in the first place. Artists love the world and celebrate that love in all that they create.

Am I wrong?

 Previous      Next