Jonathots Daily Blog
(2097)
I struggled with the decision.
I do believe I have ability, but apparently I possess enough insecurity that I would rather discuss my efforts than enact them. Why? Because stepping forward always generates the possibility of slipping or falling off a cliff.
Yes, it is much more pleasant to contemplate an idea than it is to perform it.
But here’s the difficulty: when we fail to create, we find ourselves tumbling into the backward, ignorant position of critiquing. Why? Because those around us who have the audacity to actually produce a product end up making us look insipid in our indecision, so we feel compelled to pick and fuss at their endeavors in order to make ourselves look viable and intelligent.
At the heart of every critic is a person who could have been creative, but balked out of fear. But I will tell you–once you begin to create things, you are much less likely to criticize the virgin efforts of others. The experience of making yourself vulnerable by presenting your gift also causes you to feel greater mercy for others who brave the terror.
Why are we so afraid?
1. We have convinced ourselves that something has to be perfect.
I don’t know why–nothing ever is.
- But the reason most people don’t write is because they think every sentence has to be aligned with the gospel of grammar.
- People refuse to sing, horrified that bad pitch or forgetting the lyrics will render them the fool of the day.
- A carpenter will stop working with wood, terrified that he’ll hit his thumb with a hammer.
All creativity is brought to a halt by the superstition of perfection. There is no such thing, but we insist on its existence.
2. We are afraid to perfect.
Yes, there is a certain chill that goes down our spine over the dual prospect of admitting lack and jumping in once again to remold the idea. So because we’re plagued by this tentative energy, we choose to critique instead of create.
But after I wrestled with my own frustrations, I finally decided to become a creator instead of a criticizer. And what did I get for my noble decision? Criticism. But also–something to work with.
So I will make something today that did not exist yesterday, knowing that it will be critiqued by those who made nothing. For creativity is the only way we sense the breath of God within us.
Criticism is for monkeys … and those who ape them.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Click for details on the SpirTed 2014 presentation
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.
click to hear music from Spirited 2014
Jonathots Daily Blog 