*First giving honor and glory to…Hey all I just wanted to celebrate myself as I finished another quarter in the land of PhD. Only a few more quarters to go until the heavy stuff. I feel so grateful to have come this far. Thankful for the loved ones that have held me up practically, spiritually, and emotionally.
“Do the work your soul must have.” Katie Geneva Cannon
As we close another work week, I wanted to give some love to all of those who are seeking to create beauty in this world. Maybe you write poetry. Or you are a painter. Maybe you’re a musician. I know others struggle to classify themselves in this way because of fear and comparison. Well. Let me give you just a few moments of encouragement to strengthen you on this journey.
*Take a deep breath and consider your creativity. Your writing. Your photography. Your beautiful mind. Gifts.*
The perspective that you bring is everything.
When you are weary…take a nap.
It’s ok to slow down production. Give yourself permission.
Cultivating an audience takes time.
Try softer rather than harder.
Try something new with your art. A collaboration you wouldn’t typically do. A new style of writing.
Other creatives aren’t the enemy.
Every moment you spend creating is worthwhile.
It’s ok that your creativity is evolving. Your writing and your art aren’t stagnant. You aren’t either. You are still blooming.
“Perhaps this is the season to step fully into the beautiful reality of what it means to be free: brave and adventurous and ready for the journey of learning and growing. Of living and knowing you do not have to have every answer to breathe deep and keep going.” Morgan Harper Nichols
Recently, on the Substack app I asked people why they continue to write and create. I was struck by some of the most beautiful responses that people offered up. It was inspiring to see so many people feel this urge to create. To heal. To inspire. To tell their own stories. To make history. I write because I have something to say. Most of what I muse will never be seen by another human. I write to free myself and to give others an opportunity to breathe. These are busy days that are mingled with constant pressure from within and from without to produce. We can slow things down enough to hear the sound of the genuine within ourselves as Howard Thurman so beautifully puts it. Our hearts tend to want to communicate things if we will just give them a second. Bless ya’ll.
Thank you, Robert.🫶
Try softer, not harder - oof! Hit me in the gut!!!