Recommit. Reboot. Re-inspire. Re-declare.
We have to do it periodically in our lives. Actually we need to do it on a daily basis as we’re faced with rejections and disappointments. As we’re told by other people that we “can’t” do this or aren’t fill-in-the-blank. As we continue to dedicate ourselves to a life in the arts, with no guarantees. As we see only half the picture of other people’s creative successes and then compare ourselves to that picture without seeing the whole.
It’s important to remember what it means to be an artist. And how to keep moving forward when it seems that everyone else’s creative dreams are coming true and yours seem to lie stagnant at the bottom of a cesspool somewhere!
So let’s do just that.
Declare the Creator’s Manifesto.
I, [say your name].
Am going to stop beating myself up for where I am.
I am going to stop reading magazines and websites that make me feel bad about myself and what I’m doing with my life, making me think I need to do more.
I am going to stop personally attacking myself when I’m not working at a level (meaning booking jobs) to which I hold myself accountable.
I am no longer apologizing for myself for going through periods where nothing seems to be working.
I hereby declare to say, “F**k it!” more often.
From this day onward, I hereby give myself only one directive, which I will try my best to follow (but not beat myself up for when I fail!), which is to start getting more here right now in everything I do.
I am doing my best to stop taking things for granted.
I am practicing gratitude daily for everything on my plate including the
yucky, gross, weird, funky, scary stuff.
I am laughing more.
I am seeing the big picture more.
I am powering off my cell phone more. (Turn it off, goddammit!)
I am mindfully breathing more.
I am an infinite creator whose sheer purpose is to create.
I don't need my mother, father, teacher, lover, brother, sister, son, daughter, agent, manager, producer, director, casting director, friend, Justin Bieber to tell me that I’m amazing, beautiful, talented, capable, and deserving.
It’s nice to hear and I appreciate as much support as possible from as many people as possible, but the things I think I need to hear from others, are the things I must give always to myself.
Amen. (Or any other such Divinely-inspired word to stamp, seal, and deliver that shit and take no prisoners!)
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