Why Did You Choose a Creative Life?
The Well Canto Newsletter, Volume 27
When you hear the word Love, what comes up for you?
Do you think of a specific kind of Love?
What feelings reveal themselves?
Do you have any judgments about Love?
Some think Love is weaker than logic, or that it isn’t really possible, or that it crumples under the weight of ignorance and fear. Others claim it is the most powerful known force, and it is all there is: It is Truth with a capital T.
What do you think?
Love creates positive emotions, and then feelings, and then thoughts, followed by generous actions. The whole process heartens, comforts, inspires; states in which we would rather remain. Equilibrium.
Here’s another question:
Why did you choose a creative life?
Do you have a ready answer, or would you like to think for a bit?
You might have a lot of reasons, but what’s the main reason?
We are talking about your life, your reasons, and your choices. There is no wrong here, and no right either. There’s no good or better, no reason more or less noble. I invite you to neither judge or justify. I ask, for the purpose of this reflection, just 3 things:
1) Whatever your reason for choosing a creative life, be crystal clear about it.
2) It must be your reason alone (not an expectation, for example), and you must own it.
3) You must love it.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
A quick word about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Both are valid, but it is helpful to know the difference. As you may have guessed, one type of motivation comes from within - intrinsic, and one type comes from outside us - extrinsic. For instance, if the main reason I go to my job everyday is because I receive payment for my work, then my motivation is extrinsic. But if I find meaning and purpose in the work I do, then my motivation is intrinsic. Of course, one could have both things going on at once, since most of us have expenses. But in general, it is the intrinsic motivators that sustain us, while strictly extrinsic motivation can lead to burn out.
Got it? If you’re not yet clear, keep trying on different Reasons until that knowing feeling washes over you. Try not to get hung up on The Absolute Perfect Reason For All Time. You are always free to choose something else. The more true your Reason is right now, the more powerful an impact it has on your current life.
Now, keep your Reason front of mind. Let your thoughts flow from its center. Fall deeply in love with your Reason and revel in it every possible moment. Let it drive you from moment to moment. Let it color all you do in your creative life, which usually means your whole life. So let’s imagine how this might go.
Let’s say you came up with, “I chose a creative life because it makes me feel most centered and energized and engaged” and this feels right and true for you.
Now, when you are in your creative process - perhaps practicing singing - notice the feeling of centeredness, how you engage with your instrument; the vibrations, your emotions. Really feel how your energy increases as you sing. A next step is to bring this Love - your Reason - to rehearsals and performances. This is how we focus on the process. It’s a crazy thing: we do need a sort of end product in our sights in order to understand our purpose, but if we exclusively focus only on the brass ring we miss a lot of life. In other words, don’t skip to the end.
Enjoy the Ride
Have you noticed that it is a common thing to complain about the journey, the getting there, even when (perhaps especially when) we have no idea what ‘there’ will look like?
It’s too hard. It takes too long. Don’t care for the scenery, or the people met along the way. There’s not enough proof NOW of (ill-defined) future success. There is constant discomfort and also, Effort = Pain.
Can you imagine taking a long train ride seated next to someone like that? Ugh. Let us not do such things to ourselves. Complaining, looking around for proof and validation, focusing on lack or what is not or has not yet happened is all distracting you from your Reason that you Love. You might even convince yourself that the act of complaining, comparing, despairing, and becoming overwhelmed is the work. It is not. How can you tell? Because the work leads toward our objective, and generates positive emotions (->feelings->thoughts->actions).
Speaking of work, what others do is definitely NOT your work. ‘Compare and despair’ is a demoralizing mindset based on assumptions and half-truths. Instead, compare yourself to your yesterday self. Note your progress and give yourself credit for your accomplishments. Let your choices be in concert with your Reason. Focus on what you want more than what is absent. And always foster great compassion for yourself and your path.
Back to our question, Why did you choose a creative life?
Decide on your Reason that you Love.
Take note of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.
Enjoy the ride: avoid being distracted by complaints, negativity, and resistance.
Be aware of your progress and compare only to your own past self.
Give yourself great compassion.
Share your Reason that you Love for choosing a creative life in the comments!
May you live in ease and kindness, with a free heart.
