YOUR DREAM
Have you ever had a dream? Specifically a creative dream. Something that you wanted to put out to the world such as a painting, piece of music, a story, a dance, and so on. Have you ever thought and thought about that dream, picturing it out in your mind, maybe doing search after search online for related content about said dream? However, tragically there has been one extremely excruciating mistake that will cost you your dream entirely! Stop now, don’t do it, I plead with you! This warning isn’t only for you, but for myself. That big mistake is the mistake of never actually taking action. Never putting pen to paper, never dirtying up that white canvas, never taking those beautiful photos. Why? Why do we often never start in on our dreams? I’ve asked myself this on occasion.
FEAR
F.E.A.R. That’s it, it’s out there. Fear of what? Fear of rejection? Maybe. Have you ever noticed that the world seems to be getting meaner and meaner, especially online? Everyone is quick to criticize and offer up their golden opinion. It can make it more difficult to share and express yourself, when your ideas and abilities might be put under the microscope. Now, I can’t say this wont happen, it probably will. But you know what scares me even more? FOMO. Yes, that’s right. The famous “Fear of Missing Out”. I’m most afraid of missing out on what might happen if I succeed. And also I fear the dread of regret that comes by not taking chances. Be willing to take a chance on yourself! It’s ok. Whatever happens, it will be alright.
PRACTICE
Have you ever felt like you’re not naturally good at anything? Maybe you’ve looked at others and it appears that they’re just so talented. Way more talented then you’ll ever be. Whether you do know a super human or not, most likely that talent is a very much practiced art. I’m not saying that some people aren’t more naturally gifted then others at certain tasks due to genes, or other factors, but a lot of great pieces of art really do come from practice.
One of my favorite examples of this is from a story that I read from the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. In his book, he talks about a class assignment given to two groups of individuals related to photography. Now, one group would be judged on a single photo. They only had to take one, but it needed to be beautiful and perfect. The 2nd group was given the task to take a large quantity task in which they would be judged on how many photos they took. The story then goes on to explain that the students who only needed to take one photo took a very long time to try and make sure all their equipment was just right. They did lots of research to make sure they were doing it right and took their photo. So who took the better photo? Those students who instead of spending all their time trying to be perfect, but rather, those who practiced their craft with lots of photos, were those who became great photo takers.
So take lots of photos. Or, in other words, just do it. Write, paint, sing, draw. Do it. If it’s terrible, great. Do it anyway. That’s what I’m going to do. If for some small chance you come across this article, this is my first! I’m going to take my own advice and keep writing until I perfect my art, at least I’ll do my best. At least I’ll learn and grow and tried, and fought, and clawed my way and even if after all of that, it doesn’t appear good enough? What then? How do we overcome that fear…..
That question is for you my friends. I’m not claiming to know all the answers. This writing is to seek understanding. Sometimes we don’t need an answer. Sometimes, we just need to be understood. What better way to be feel understood, then to know someone else feels similar to you?
Good luck friends!