If you want to change something then do something about it. If you want something that you are a part of to shift, change, engage in a new way do not whine and wish somebody would make something happen. Simply make something happen. You might look a bit of a fool, it might fall flat, it might take multiple attempts.
SO WHAT? Move people, engage in ways you haven’t, and make whatever you are doing worth smiling about.
The opening and the closing moments of a project are the most exciting. Getting started fresh with an idea, imagining the end, full of hope and not yet experiencing setback, those moments are fulfilling. After fighting through the middle to close a deal, to write the last page, and to hear the applause, those moments are fulfilling as well.
It’s the middle that is dreaded. The middle is the place where much of the hard work is done. The middle is the place where you are uncertain about where to go. The middle is the place that paralyzes you.
Fight through the middle or find someone who will encourage you to fight through the middle. If you know someone who is stuck in the middle, be the one to encourage them to find a closing. It may need to be revamped, edited and restructured. But even temporary closings are addicting, and they help you push through the middle. There is nothing worse than quitting when the dreaded middle is almost over.
Think outside the box, create more… try to create 100 artists and their work in 2 years… seriously Shea Hembrey puts me to shame. This is awesome.
http://www.ted.com/talks/shea_hembrey_how_i_became_100_artists.html
You are always expending energy. Physically, mentally, creatively it doesn’t matter. Something is always pouring out. That is why a spiritual life is necessary. A spiritual life is a filling, not an expenditure. If you build, create and pursue your goals devoid of a spiritual life you will find yourself empty even when you have attained everything. On the other hand, a spiritual life may lead you to a deep well of your own ability that is unleashed.
I have been a Christian since I was old enough to speak. Here is what I know of the Christian life in it’s most simple form. It has very little to do with rules. It has everything to do with life. The Creator God decided to make a masterpiece and built the universe. Then he inserted little characters with their own creative drive and spirit. From God alone do they draw breath and live. The little characters chose to create on their own, they wanted to hide their art, not let Him critique their work, give suggestions and help them become better artists. In hiding they made mistakes, but in the midst of the mistakes God introduced a new color. He sent his son to cover over the mistakes. This new color restored, cleared away and bridged the gap for the little characters to pick up their brushes and paint alongside the Master. The Master artist is not threatened by great work. His desire is to see great and new and beautiful art fill his world. He wants to help breathe new life into his characters and help them create the great art they were made to create.
When we hide we do not get better at our art, we languish. We are afraid that he will tell us we cannot pursue what is in us to build. On the contrary, God put the desire to create and build that within you, and if you allow yourself to be open, you may find a fulfillment beyond your own desires, you may find what you were actually meant to be.
Things are not as far off as they appear...
