a little hooray for big adventures.
Is there something in the water? Or perhaps the coffee?
Lately I’ve heard a whisper of malaise and confusion amongst my art friends, friends who were once strong and proud, who are starting to lose their bearings, become uncomfortable and have lost the path. This is something different than being uninspired…it’s more like being adrift.
But the truth is, there is no path. It’s up to you to make it. This path is not something you can premeditate. It’s what unfolds before you once you realize your strength. I’m posting this here because to me this truly resonates with the spirit of art and craft.
We are more than artists and makers and crafters. We are adventurers.
Whenever I feel unsure, I go back to one of my favorite books and the quote at the beginning. Here’s the introduction that never fails to inspire me from Off the Map:
This is what it means to be an adventurer in our day: to give up creature comforts of the mind, to realize possibilities of imagination. Because everything around us says no you cannot do this, you cannot live without that, nothing is useful unless it’s in service to money, to gain, to stability.
The adventurer gives in to tides of chaos, trusts the world to support her- and in doing so turns her back on the fear and obedience she has been taught. she rejects the indoctrination of impossibility.
My adventure is a struggle for freedom.
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January 27th, 2007 at 2:35 am
Exactly!
January 27th, 2007 at 2:55 am
Thanks for the inspiring words! Lately, this very topic has been weighing very heavily on my shoulders. My shoulders feel a little lighter now knowing that the weight is being shared by my creative friends:) Together, we can all keep that shit UP!
January 27th, 2007 at 3:10 am
Beautiful!!!
January 27th, 2007 at 3:15 am
My favorite quote is from my favorite person - Helen Keller
No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
The quote by itself is inspirational but when you know it’s Helen Keller then you know that so much is possible. Maybe I won’t win the lottery or stop world hunger but I can be a better artist, I can keep on trying, I can make a difference.
And I love this blog, you have the best links.
January 27th, 2007 at 3:54 am
beautiful :]
January 27th, 2007 at 3:58 am
Wonderful words. Thankyou for writing your sentiments as well as the quote. Both were immediately written into my quote journal.
You are so right - since opening myself to the creative side of my life I have felt like I am on an adventure. I’ve been puzzled that no one else can see how the mundane and routine are suddenly bright and interesting. Can they see the difference in me now that I’m an adventurer?
January 27th, 2007 at 5:36 am
well said!
January 27th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Off the Map is a great book about being women and enjoying the fact that life is an incredible adventure when we let it be so. Thanks for reminding me to pull wisdom from their stories once again. =)
January 27th, 2007 at 8:59 am
I love it! Thanks for sharing.
January 28th, 2007 at 1:15 am
this is lovely betsy!
January 28th, 2007 at 1:28 am
you are so right!
January 28th, 2007 at 10:51 am
off the map is such a great book. ive shared it with so many people.
January 30th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Very Odd! This book has just appeared in my life, I saw it on the sidewalk and thought it had an interesting color. Then, as I opened it to begin reading, there was a very heartfelt note dedicating the book to a dear friend…
Anyone here named Marissa from Brooklyn lose this book?
P.S. It is very good….