The Rules of Magic
Somewhere in this pandemic blur, not so very long ago, I had a text chat with a fellow artist that clarified for me a few of my creative centres. I thought I'd share them here, in case you find them helpful too.
Nothing in this world is as mysterious, magical, and accessible as creativity -- but too often people struggle to hold onto and work with this ever-present force.
So here is the secret that will open you up to possibilities and all your potential:
Art is magic. Writing is magic. Story is magic. Creativity is magic. And each spark arrives in its own way -- precious and ready and desirous of your help.
My ideas often land in my lap as fully formed monsters. They wrap themselves about me and whisper their tale in my ear, asking me to help bring them into the world.
Even when they're wholly their own complete beast, I don't always know the complete shape of them until I engage in the act of creating them -- whether that's picking up my favourite pens (I'm a sucker for the Pilot Opt 0.5 mm series) and a spiral-bound notebook covered in Halloween stickers, wedging a hunk of porcelain clay, or setting out my oil paints.
Action is where you co-create with creativity -- that endless, abundant spirit of all -- but many of us fail to act when our ideas arrive.
We want to talk about them instead. After all, what is joy and excitement if it's not shared?
But here's the truth about the magic of creativity:
When you let it out too soon, when you show others too soon, you risk losing your will, your drive, your momentum. You risk harm to that most precious, newborn, and sensitive creature. You are still learning its particular magic, and if you do not contain it and instead let the outside world influence it -- if you fail to give it a safe, loving space where it can grow into what it wants to be -- the magic will leave you.
That initial urge to share this be exciting creation/inspiration is common. Julia Cameron describes our creative selves as timid children afraid to step out on their own. This child needs and wants to be nurtured. They turn to others, often those who are meant to provide that comfort and reassurance, instead of looking within. But when they invite these others and start to share their innermost creative selves, what they actually encounter most of the time is criticism or "well meaning" concern.
The people we often reach for are wet blankets. Those people who don't actually approve of us or our choices but, for one reason or another, we still want to please.
These wet blanket throw cold water on our dreams in outright malice or well-meaning "concern," but the result is same.
Looking back, can you see this urge in your own life? How many times you let a wet blanket douse your dreams?
And thus the inner child, and all the magic they held, retreats, wounded, discouraged, and utterly bereft.
The solution goes back to containment. To self-nurturing and self-love, healthy boundaries and a deep, abiding connection and trust with the creative.
You never create alone, and once you realize that, instead of reaching to others for support, you will reach for creativity. Do this with a whole heart, and it will reach back for you.
Cocooned and cradled in this supportive world, you don't need anything else to get your projects going and see them through. You show up to do the work and co-create with creativity. You hold true to the first rule of magic and allow your possibilities to flourish because you have all you need.
Once you have that practice firmly established, creativity and all its limitless possibilities are yours. Creativity will always be there for you. No person will support you the way you can support yourself.
And then you can share this lesson with others who need to hear it.
Part of shining bright is being a light to others so that they can also be a star among stars. We're all better when we follow our specific, particular creative paths because we then help others find their own way. We show what's possible. My mentors have done this for me. I hope to do this for others.
At the end of the day, each of us is born to be creative. It's time for you to create what you, in particular, were born to make.
Nothing in this world is as mysterious, magical, and accessible as creativity -- but too often people struggle to hold onto and work with this ever-present force.
So here is the secret that will open you up to possibilities and all your potential:
The first rule of magic is containment.
My ideas often land in my lap as fully formed monsters. They wrap themselves about me and whisper their tale in my ear, asking me to help bring them into the world.
Even when they're wholly their own complete beast, I don't always know the complete shape of them until I engage in the act of creating them -- whether that's picking up my favourite pens (I'm a sucker for the Pilot Opt 0.5 mm series) and a spiral-bound notebook covered in Halloween stickers, wedging a hunk of porcelain clay, or setting out my oil paints.
Action is where you co-create with creativity -- that endless, abundant spirit of all -- but many of us fail to act when our ideas arrive.
We want to talk about them instead. After all, what is joy and excitement if it's not shared?
But here's the truth about the magic of creativity:
When you let it out too soon, when you show others too soon, you risk losing your will, your drive, your momentum. You risk harm to that most precious, newborn, and sensitive creature. You are still learning its particular magic, and if you do not contain it and instead let the outside world influence it -- if you fail to give it a safe, loving space where it can grow into what it wants to be -- the magic will leave you.
The first rule of magic is containment.
That initial urge to share this be exciting creation/inspiration is common. Julia Cameron describes our creative selves as timid children afraid to step out on their own. This child needs and wants to be nurtured. They turn to others, often those who are meant to provide that comfort and reassurance, instead of looking within. But when they invite these others and start to share their innermost creative selves, what they actually encounter most of the time is criticism or "well meaning" concern.
The people we often reach for are wet blankets. Those people who don't actually approve of us or our choices but, for one reason or another, we still want to please.
These wet blanket throw cold water on our dreams in outright malice or well-meaning "concern," but the result is same.
Looking back, can you see this urge in your own life? How many times you let a wet blanket douse your dreams?
And thus the inner child, and all the magic they held, retreats, wounded, discouraged, and utterly bereft.
The solution goes back to containment. To self-nurturing and self-love, healthy boundaries and a deep, abiding connection and trust with the creative.
You never create alone, and once you realize that, instead of reaching to others for support, you will reach for creativity. Do this with a whole heart, and it will reach back for you.
Cocooned and cradled in this supportive world, you don't need anything else to get your projects going and see them through. You show up to do the work and co-create with creativity. You hold true to the first rule of magic and allow your possibilities to flourish because you have all you need.
Once you have that practice firmly established, creativity and all its limitless possibilities are yours. Creativity will always be there for you. No person will support you the way you can support yourself.
The first rule of magic is containment.
And then you can share this lesson with others who need to hear it.
Part of shining bright is being a light to others so that they can also be a star among stars. We're all better when we follow our specific, particular creative paths because we then help others find their own way. We show what's possible. My mentors have done this for me. I hope to do this for others.
At the end of the day, each of us is born to be creative. It's time for you to create what you, in particular, were born to make.
:)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to learning the other rules of magic :) hope this is the beginning of a series!
I love this idea.
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