creativity and courage

Creativity is less about talent and more about fear.
Yep, I’m going out on a limb here.  Time to have a serious talkin’ to…to ourselves.   
Not all fear is real.  And once we learn how to get out of our own way, our lives will be spectacular!
You’ve all seen the acronym F.E.A.R. -  False Evidence Appearing Real. How many excuses do we need to justify not doing what we want to do?  Was it from your M.F.T.P. - Mother, Father, Teacher, Preacher?  Artists can’t make a real living.  You’re too old to write a book.  What if you fail?  What if people don’t like it?  Why can’t you be happy with what you have?  What makes you think anyone cares?  You’re too young.  You’re too old. 
Begone, excuses!  That was someone else telling you their fears.  And they were probably truly trying to help you.  But they are not you.  Their experiences are not yours.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how I feel about Whispers.  They matter and they are important.
“I was an artist, in my mind, when I was 8 years old.  Where it came from, I do not know, but I found myself sketching and longing to take an art class.  There were no art classes available to me, and “being an artist” was foreign to my family and my situation.  So I just drew sometimes…because it felt good.”  The rest of the story is in my book, 10 Little Rules for Your Creative Soul.   The ending may surprise you. 
My point is - It took me 40+ years to listen to those whispers.  I wouldn’t trade anything in my life, except that I could have included art and painting all along.  I thought I had to make a choice.   I thought creativity tapped you on the shoulder and selected you.  I never dreamed, until I retired and had the time to listen to my whispers, that I actually was an artist.  Maybe not the best trained or recognized artist, but I was sure happy.
What do you want to do?  What do you want to try?   Listen.  Listen.  Listen.  They may be warning you of danger, and deserve to be heard.  They may also be trying to get your attention so that you can go on a Journey of Self- Discovery.
Aim up!
Rita