What I love in here in Graham’s quote is the honesty about how we sometimes look at our own work and really think it’s not that great. I know that we’re supposed to tell ourselves (and expect our friends to tell us) “no, no, the work is GREAT” but the reality is that sometimes it’s not. And it doesn’t have to be great, or even good, all the time.
This post really spoke to me, Emily, as I’ve also been wrestling with feeling a bit stuck as we shift into mid summer. Thank you!
Thank you for this, Rebekah. I'm so glad to know what resonated with you from Graham's wisdom—I feel this, too. And, I'm really happy to hear that it spoke to you. I hear you on feeling stuck, and I'm sending you good energy for getting going again...
Thank you for sharing this Martha Graham quote! How incredible! Right now, I am moved by the create-first energy in this: “It is not your business to determine how good it is” - reminding me to get out of my own way and just be open to the work.
Also, how great is “No artist is pleased.” I love this sense of community in dissatisfaction!
Thanks for sharing how this lands for you, Robin! Yes, that part about it not being your business to determine how good it is -- whew, that helps me with the endless comparisons my brain loves to do to hobble me from just writing...yes to community in dissatisfaction, too! Like, just get rid of that idea, which I do think I still hold onto somewhere in my mind — that I will reach some mythical point where I feel satisfied or pleased with where I am (ha!)
What I love in here in Graham’s quote is the honesty about how we sometimes look at our own work and really think it’s not that great. I know that we’re supposed to tell ourselves (and expect our friends to tell us) “no, no, the work is GREAT” but the reality is that sometimes it’s not. And it doesn’t have to be great, or even good, all the time.
This post really spoke to me, Emily, as I’ve also been wrestling with feeling a bit stuck as we shift into mid summer. Thank you!
Thank you for this, Rebekah. I'm so glad to know what resonated with you from Graham's wisdom—I feel this, too. And, I'm really happy to hear that it spoke to you. I hear you on feeling stuck, and I'm sending you good energy for getting going again...
Thank you for sharing this Martha Graham quote! How incredible! Right now, I am moved by the create-first energy in this: “It is not your business to determine how good it is” - reminding me to get out of my own way and just be open to the work.
Also, how great is “No artist is pleased.” I love this sense of community in dissatisfaction!
Thanks for sharing how this lands for you, Robin! Yes, that part about it not being your business to determine how good it is -- whew, that helps me with the endless comparisons my brain loves to do to hobble me from just writing...yes to community in dissatisfaction, too! Like, just get rid of that idea, which I do think I still hold onto somewhere in my mind — that I will reach some mythical point where I feel satisfied or pleased with where I am (ha!)
wait, what's creepy about taking pictures of other people's flowers?! (well, I'm assuming you're not tromping through their yard...)
ha! yeah no, not tromping but sometimes kind of creeping in the yard a bit to take a pic...:)
"because 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"
Amen!
Thank you! I needed to read this. I need the inspiration and the wisdom.
So glad you needed this, Mary Lou! Sending you good energy xo