On top of Tent Rocks Canyon in New Mexico
My flying dreams are the best metaphor I can think of for how I hope to live a creative life. I haven’t had a flying dream for awhile, but every time I do, I wake up with a lightness of spirit, as if I’ve been released from the gravitas of my life. I open my eyes knowing I have experienced something magical, my whole being vibrating with a sense of wonder. Dreaming of flying releases me from that which holds me back — fear.
As I was reading through responses to my post on ‘living the dream‘, I came upon this link sent by a friend who has been contemplating her own creative path. It’s a podcast between Elizabeth Gilbert and Jonathan Fields, and it speaks directly to the idea of living a creative life.
Bravery, Gilbert suggests, is the product of a certain kind of obstinacy in the face of fear — and that obstinacy, rather than one’s occupation, is what defines the creative life:
“While the paths and outcomes of creative living will vary wildly from person to person, I can guarantee you this: A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner — continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you — is a fine art, in and of itself.”
Perhaps, with a little faith and obstinancy, we can teach ourselves to fly — to let go of what we have always known, to trust that inside each of us, just below the surface or buried deep within, lie our wings.
Once again, thanks to Maria Popova at brainpickings.org
