A Contract of Sorts….My Aha Moment.

I just got the latest issue of Spirituality and Health Magazine yesterday and was enjoying the article on Elizabeth Gilbert about the holy calling of creativity. First off, let me just say I love Ms. Gilbert. She is such a wise old soul….every word out of her mouth is like music to my ears and words to live by.

I have been wrestling with validating the importance of making art and making time to make art, while simultaneously combating the negative force going against me (in that department) who has shown up as my opponent in this match. Without naming names and their relationship to me, I am trying to convince myself that what I am doing is important, it’s what I need to do, it’s what I was born to do (thank you Priscilla!). But my wrestling partner always seems to get the edge on me, causing self doubt and feeding me thoughts of whether the art I strive to make is legitimate and worth my time. I know it is. And as much as I put every ounce of strength into pinning this bad guy down sometimes I lose my hold on him. It is difficult to not let those ugly words sink in and warp the stronghold of my soul.

Ms. Gilbert has written something in this article that has made me think. Yes, I’m taking ownership of her words and I want to share them with you here and make them my own. Because now that I’ve read her words of wisdom, they become my mini manifesto.

‘I was given a contract, and the contract is: “We are not going to tell you why, but we gave you this capacity. Your side of the contract is that you must devote yourself to this in the highest possible manner, you must approach it with the greatest respect, and you must give your whole self to this. And then we will work with you on making progress.” That’s sort of what it feels like for me.

My contract is one of creating art and never doubting my purpose or intent in this life and especially not allowing anyone to get in my head and cause me to feel otherwise. To my wrestling nemesis: If you can’t support me in my artistic endeavors, then just leave me alone. And keep your damn mouth shut because I have a contract binding to my soul.