Over the last couple of days two wonderfully creative men have passed on: John Updike and John Martyn. It struck me that if these men had not been brave enough to set pen to paper or to sing out loud, we all would have lost out. Their unique voices would never have been heard. I’m reminded of something a friend once told me just before my 30th birthday, that in your 30s you suddenly realise that this is your life that you’re living; it’s not a dress rehearsal and you have to make the most out of the time you have.
A while back, my dad posted a fabulous quote by Martha Graham that I think bears repeating:
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
If you don’t conciously and creatively express yourself now, when will you?
How will you express your unique voice today?
Thank you, Amy, for your beautiful photos, your uplifting site and for connecting with us. Being able to find and express our own unique voice is like coming home – but when someone else resonates with it, that’s when home overflows with music and magic…
“Away, away, from men and towns,
To the wild wood and the downs -
To the silent wilderness
Where the soul need not repress
Its music lest it should not find
An echo in another’s mind.” ~ Shelley
Great post Amy. I do believe you have to be courageous to be both a creative and an authentic individual. It’s not always easy to choose to be in step with yourself, if that means being out of step with the mainstream. Today, I am going to design and make a new journal – well make a start on it anyway! What are you going to do?
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I’m going to blog about what to do if you’re unemployed and continue to march forward. Love that quote!
Amy, when I read of the passing of these two men, my heart filled with sadness for the loss of their voices, but I also felt blessed that they had the courage to share them at all. It did make me question my choices and check in to ensure that at the end of days I would not depart this earth with the notes of my song silent. Thank you for this beautiful post.
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