“Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.” Jack Gilbert in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.
I recently downloaded the audio version of this book and had to hit the pause button to examine this question. I repeated it in my head several times and then held a private meditation to quiet all the parts of my brain and emotions that wanted to answer the question on my behalf. After composing myself, I came to the conclusion that there is a 50/50 chance that I will summon the courage to follow the path that leads to the treasures within me. That is, when I look fear in the face, sometimes I just cry ‘uncle’.
I’m going to go and listen to the rest of this book so I can begin developing my ‘do it scared’ muscles. I just got a picture in my head of the Lion from the Wizard of Oz looking for some courage. Well… whatever works; wanna join me on this yellow brick road?
Source: yahoo images
Take a listen to an excerpt read by Elizabeth. She has made peace with fear; even writing it a welcome letter and giving it some ‘rules of engagement’. I think this one is a must read for anyone who is working to create anything.
Until next week,