The Audacity of Creation

"What are you going to create today?"

I woke up to that question on Sunday. I had spent much of the previous day proselytizing to my partner, Blake, about my plan for a new, more creative life.  Unsurprisingly, there had been some family fall-out from my previous post - the one where I talked about how I wanted to quit my job as a stay-at-home-mom and live a different life? Yeah...there needed to be some clarification. Not that Blake would have a problem with me getting a job out of the home - he definitely isn't that guy.  He needed to hear, though, that the blog was less about any anger about my current role, and more about my yearning to do and be what really makes my heart sing.

When I was in New York about a week ago, I joined my dear friend Susannah at her support group, AA. OK, not that AA, but you probably guessed that. They call themselves Audacious Artists, and they get together once a week over breakfast to talk about their careers in creativity. They have loosely based their meetings on The Artist's Way. A lot of the conversation when I was there centered around what had happened that week in their lives, but before they left, they each took a turn to speak their goals for themselves for the next week.

I don't know a lot about The Artist's Way. I checked it out at the library a couple of years ago, and was disheartened about the level of commitment it appeared to require, as well as put off by the quasi-religious New Age vibe it has going. But I was inspired by this group and what they have going on. A couple of their members couldn't make it because they are appearing in Broadway shows.  The group is clearly doing something for people, and in a way that is supportive and non-judging while still holding its individual members accountable.

If New York taught me one thing it's that this is something I want for myself: a group of like-minded individuals pushing each other forward. Blake and I are lucky in that we provide that kind of support to each other on a daily basis.. But we have discovered we wouldn't mind having other input. Between the two of us, we know a lot of writers, actors, poets, dancers and artists of all types. We're starting a group of our own - Audacious Artists Albuquerque (AAA?) if you will.

So, first thing on Sunday morning Blake asks me "What are you going to create today?" And this seems like as good a start as anything. And also a little terrifying.

Can I create something every day? What right do I have to think I can do that? Who the hell do I think I am?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

Today I created a blog posting. Yesterday Blake created a perfect moment with our children. What amazing things could happen if we ask ourselves that simple question every single day?

Here's to audacity. The Audacity of Creation.