Are you ready to break out of the box?
Step out of those boundaries and share the work
I got my first rejection letter today! Instead of pouting I am celebrating. I am not celebrating rejection. I am celebrating the fact that I put something out into the world–I embraced the possibilities of being accepted or rejected and did it anyway. Just as when we jump into the water to swim, we must accept the possibility of sinking. When we are well practiced at swimming, the fear of drowning is not even considered, even though it is there. The more swimming one does, the more confident one becomes. So too, it is when putting your work out into the world.
Our fears will come up! However, just because we fear rejection does not mean it is inevitable. It is no more real than the hope of acceptance. We get to release our work into the world because it is of service to us-the individual, the all and the work itself.
You will know what work to withhold and what work to release. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing! When I am creating, I am in a dialog with the energy expressing as either image or words. Some work wants to be seen immediately, some wants to be part of something else and some is just the bridge to another expression. Creativity just works this way-when you can let go of the outcome and create a bunch.
I feel successful because I stayed focused on the process of writing to completion and sent it out. I let go of the outcome and did not ascribe meaning to it, when it came back with a ‘no thanks’. I just keep going. I am practicing letting go and letting the work flow to where it wants. I am practicing taking my ego out of the equation. I am practicing sending it out. Not always easy, this is why it gets to be practice.
It is a way of desensitizing myself to the voice of my own fear. We all have those voices, and they aren’t always ours. They come from so many places and situations from the past. I always ask that fear voice: “Whose voice is this?” Most often, it comes from someone else! A voice to keep you safe from harm. But we do not grow if we stay all comfy, cozy and safe. We get to risk and be seen and heard in our own unique voice, even if it doesn’t conform to some box that we have all grown accustomed to!
Consciousness into matter
It is interesting to me, as a creator, spending a great deal of time dreaming and bringing those ideas, visions, and thoughts into form. I experience the vision as completely free—ephemeral, wandering here and there—hard to grasp at times, always floating free of form and structure—wild and untamed.
And Then….
As if by magic, one lands and I flow it into a form- with rules, lines, planes, and structure. We must learn to gently guide these wild and roaming, fluttering thoughts into form—form that will be seen or read by others. Others who may be operating in a box. Not so that they will get it- to inspire and so the work can move to its next iteration.
How do we grow by playing in the same box that was handed down from one to another? If we listen to the established rules—by the way, those rules were made up—can we do justice to the wild and untamed dreams from our souls?
How do we grow when we feel we must edit and explain, assuming they won’t understand? Can we be bold and allow this wild thing to emerge without slapping a perfectly tailored suit on it? Let’s allow the raw, unfiltered truth from within to be set free. What is the worst that will happen? No one will care? or will they care?
Sometimes no response is worse than any response! You sit there and wonder- did anyone read it, see it? What did they think? Sometimes it does feel like a vacuum when you are putting your work out there and only hear crickets. We can’t decide that our work isn’t worthy because you didn’t get a response. You have to get behind what you create–fall in love with what comes through you–dance as if no one is watching!
Another reason to let go of the outcome
I am reminded of a drawing (see below) that was shared with me by Alex Grey. In 2014, I had the honor of visiting the Grey’s at COSM, to have my work reviewed and critiqued. He shared a concept with me that was given to him by Ken Wilbur.
“The artist receives an idea and brings it into form—first as an individual expression. When shared, it reaches the collective, inspiring dialogue and new perspectives. This exchange then returns to the individual, sparking further creativity. It's a cyclical process of individual and collective growth, feeding each other infinitely, as the personal and collective evolve in tandem.”
Have you ever been inspired to create something out of your box because you were inspired by someone else’s work? I know I have, and I am grateful to the artist who put their work out there! Inspiration can come through anyone, anywhere, at any time!
You could be someone’s inspiration! The thoughts you think, the images you dream, the expressions you allow through you inspire the dreaming mind of the collective!
So dear creator, dreamer, inventor of beautiful worlds, I invite you to risk your fear, risk rejection, risk being overlooked and being ignored. When you do, you will have breakthroughs, transformations–experience discovery and growth that will take your work even further. This is all part of the creative process not just in art; but in life!
With Love and Cosmic Dreaming,
Deborah
P.S.
Are you looking to break out of the box? Restrictions in creativity is not the only place being in the box affects– it is held in the body too!
"Are you looking to break out of the box? The restrictions on your creativity aren’t just mental and emotional—they are held in the body too. Tension, tightness, and discomfort are expressions of the box!
Open to more fully to your creative expression– in your body, in your life and in the world! Check out the programs available at the Cosmic Dreaming Lodge that are designed to support your highest expression!
P.P.S.
I am excited to share! I am working on a podcast!!! I just created the graphic for it today and began the process of setting up the back end. Now all I have to do is invite some guests to chat with, record and share! Stay tuned!!
