Quote of the Day: Go boldly in the direction of your dreams; live the life you’ve imagined. – Henry David Thoreau
Here are a couple of dreamers. JeMA paints amazing abstract art. She is on the path to “make it” as an artist. There I am sitting next to her, wearing my Scriptfrenzy t-shirt, my fingers have just left the keys on my laptop. We’re sitting at the coffee shop where I write my play, Coffee Shop Confessions, and where we dream together.
We need each other because sometimes those negative voices in our heads get really loud. I call them “The Committee.” They are the Devil voices that tell you you’re not good enough. They say things like, “Who are you to make it as an artist.” I hit a low point last fall after attending a writer’s conference. Then, I came home and wrote about the struggle of an artist for our local women’s magazine, Her Voice. (Click on the link which will take you to my article. It’s on two pages, so click next, or pages 28-29. You can also enlarge the text by clicking on it. The cover story is on a local group of doctors and friends who went to Haiti.)
This story is for anyone who has ever felt insecurities about who you are and where you can go in pursuit of your creative dreams.
Dream on!
Journaling Prompt: What creative dreams do you have for yourself? What have you done to make them a reality?
Mary,
Oh, goodness, goodness!!! On an off thought, I quick checked my blog before heading off to bed and I saw that you posted. You are a “God sighting” to me today! I had just taken a very big first step and asked for some help from our pastor’s wife to book with booking an airplane flight to the She Speaks Conference. The COMMITTEE just about had me all backing out, until I read your blog. Yes, I am almost 42 and never been on a plane…and than to go to the She Speaks Conference…need I say more…
I loved your article and am throwing away the chips and coke…life’s too short for the committee to have any place in my brain.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Kim
Oh, Kim, you crack me up! Throw out the chips and Coke. That’s so good!!!
Do you have a travel buddy? Security is so tight now. Take along something that relaxes you, book, photo, music. That will help. The conference will be so good, so worth it. Listen to the angels.
Kim, Mary’s article pepped me up today as well. Loved it! And you know you can have a party of your own — a beautiful angel party. I have a feeling that it might have chocolate on the menu. 🙂 Or maybe some healthy snacks? At any rate, I’m so glad you posted this Mary. It needs to be read by your blogging community as well as your residential community. And you and JeMa are so cute!!! No devil could sit on those shoulders for too long without being blinded by the light. 🙂
It’s always good to have a “dream buddy”. I am blessed with a great dream buddy that helps drive The Committee away (she calls them The Anchors) and give me a verbal encouragement/kick-in-the-pants when I need it. When was the The Committee Her Voice artcile coming out? I’d love to read it. My Committee seems to be working overtime these days.
Oh that darn committee … it needs to be disbanded and discarded! I work on my dreams every time I sit at the keyboard, or put pen to paper. Work on them and live them at the same time, with each word I write 🙂
Roxane, you know you’re part of my angel party, veggies & dip, salmon with new potatoes, chocolate cake, ice cream and good coffee for dessert. Come on over!
Becky, Her Voice just came out on Tuesday. Anchors is another good word to describe The Committee. I’ve also called them Gremlins. Glad you have angel voices cheering you on.
Amen, Joanne. Thanks for helping to ban the Committee.
Mary – how did you get into my brain and find out what has been going on with me??? Seriously, I feel like you have written this for me. Clearly, my struggles are not unique and that is SO COMFORTING to hear.
As lovely as the internet era is, it’s too easy to see what the ‘pros’ in my industry are doing and in turn, I compare my work to theirs. I see their photos and I think, ‘Mine look nothing like that.’ I read their opinions and critiques and I think, ‘I should be doing something like that.’ It’s deadly and it just fuels the Anchors/Committee.
I’m so thankful I’m not alone in feeling the self doubt and the negativity that can come with trying to break out and do something crazy/amazing/faithful.
You spoke right to my heart today! Thank you!!
Oh, Laura, thank you for your angel voice today. My eyes are a little misty right now. We need to meet face to face, soon.
Mary,
This was such a timely post. Thank you, thank you for sharing it! Your article spoke my own words, my own struggles, my own inadequacies. You’re right, we do seem to be sharing the same mind:)
Everywhere I turn lately, I hear the words “Move Forward”. In fact, I blogged today about that very phrase.
Glad to hear the script it moving forward! I’m still taking it easy where writing is concerned. Got a few stories dancing around. We’ll see which one stops by and asks me to waltz.
Happy Thursday,
Jen
Can’t wait to read this article.
I so agree with you.
I’m taking steps every day this last week to clear a part of my life to live the dream of writing, in however it plays out.
Jen, I’ll quote a line from one of my favorite movies, Meet the Robinsons, Keep moving forward!
Deb, thank you so much. We are not alone in our struggles. We need to believe in ourselves.
Too bad we can’t just disband the committee! We all have those voices play in our head a good dream buddy helps ya snap out of it and helps ya jump into your dreams once again. Wonderful post girl!
Ya’ll have a fantastic day filled with warm sunny dreams!!!
Nezzy, thanks for the warm, Southern sunshine. There’s a chill in the air up here in MN, but your words warm me.
I love that quote. My husband loves it so much he has it up in his office. I am going n the direction of my writing dreams. 🙂
Blessing for your own dreams to flower 🙂
Mary,
I love your comment on my blog yesterday! Tears do stain our hands, mine quite frequently.
Thank you so much for your kind words about my words 🙂
Write on,
Jen
PS: happy Mom’s Day!
Mary, soooo cool! I cannot WAIT to watch your screen play!!!
What a cool post!
Hmmm, I just HAVE to write and really don’t think of why except to be obedient to God.
In visual art, I’m more of a participant…
Have a blessed weekend!
Patti
Oh, Mary, I loved how you wrote so honestly. Yes, the Committee does call for meetings where angels have to shoo them out. I sometimes think it’s a sensitivity test, you know, to make sure we’re still feeling…also want to share that I prepared part of Bunny’s menu this evening, the strawberry/spinach salad (BIG Yum!) and the Caribbean chicken…to die for (but if you like a milder spice, use 1/2 pepper…need a bit of spice to go with the mango on top)…all really delicious!!
Tabitha, Keep dreaming and creating.
Patti, You’re doing well being God’s ink.
Kittie, thanks for the great affirmations and success from Bunny’s menu. I think I’ll try them this weekend. Happy Mom’s Day to me!
Here I am frumping around about my art this morning, and I find a photo of me and my dear friend defeating the Committee! I had to laugh at the irony! Thank you for being such a strong supporter of my dream, a friend grounded in truth.
JeMA, thank you for being one of my Angel voices!
Mary, Committees – who needs them. You write really well. NEVER stop writing, it is your dream. Wait, I just told myself this last week once- or one bazillion times. Sorry it’s a used statement, but I’m willing to share it 🙂
Teresa
Teresa, that’s a great statement to reuse! Thanks.
I like that you have great quotes every day 😀