Sister Patricia Holland- (when her husband was dean of BYU) shared an experience that... wellp lets just say it marked me enough to remember it 4 months later.
"Because of... humble beginnings I was always rather shy and absolutely terrified to speak before the public. While growing up I somehow managed to struggle through a few speaking assignments (and dodged all the rest) until I was married and living on this campus. During the first year here our stake president asked Jeff and me if we would speak in stake conference, and, as usual, Jeff accepted. I was mortified! When we returned home I cried, I stamped my feet, I threw a royal tantrum, but Jeff insisted. Finally I consented to do it if he would write my talk. He said, “Absolutely not!” I said, “Write the talk or get a new roommate.” As you can see he wrote the talk. I gave it—and it was a total disaster. He received a lot of compliments for his, and I received gratuitous smiles for mine.
When we returned home I was more discouraged than ever. Through tears I asked, “What went wrong? The talk you wrote for me was better than the one you wrote for yourself, but from what I saw, your talk was the one that touched people’s hearts. Mine hit them like a fast-acting sedative.” But my wise and gentle tutor put his arms around me and said, “Pat, heart speaks to heart. If you want to touch someone’s heart you have to speak from your own.”
So that's what it get's down to. We love what we do. Because it is.... expressing US. Our beliefs, Our hopes, Our dreams, and our connection to the world.
"When you create something original you give birth to an idea and then nurture that idea until it’s mature enough to send into the world. If you copy someone else, you’re depriving yourself of the amazing feeling of creation, of making something that is yours and yours alone. You’ll undoubtedly love and care for the baby you’ve created more than the baby you stole from the grocery store."
Jessica Hische
I create because I love creating. I love how mistakes become an integral part to the work, they add depth and flavor to the art. Just like us! Without mistakes... there wouldn't be chocolate chip cookies in the world!
P.S. I am not implying that you can not use other sources and inspiration to trampoline your own. But, don't be afraid to get out there! to find yourself and be yourself! Don't worry about what the world would say, or the critic's eyes. Do it for the pure joy of Doing it. BE WHO YOU ARE. and fufill the measure of your creation!
That being said Here's some of my soul-stuff from the past months...
"Being used as an instrument in the hand's of the master
Being so much greater than the best you could have been alone
being molded. changed. utilized. summoned. trusted in. and loved.
as the work goes forth
led by His mighty arm."
(this was done during a time in my mission... when I really felt that the Lord was using me, and I was being guided by Him. I developed an understanding that without Him I am helpless, hopless, and... basically sunk.)
I drew this, as I perceived the role that missionaries play. I felt so connected to the investigators, and so connected to the Father. Notice the Iron rod. The Elder is helping the man hold on to the rod as well. He is working as the middle man for a time. As the man gains strength (and understanding- notice the book) in the future, the man will be able to hold on to the rod by himself- Progressing with the instruments that the Lord has provided (Scripture in this case)
"Immaculate. Immense. Innumerable. Enormity.
The vastness of the open world fills a soul with priority"
When we feel alone and we plead for the help of God. He send's it. He does.
In Brazil, there are so many people working. Hard jobs. I mean Labor baby. So many that I was able to get to know. Many parents work horrible hours to provide an education for their children. The sad thing? I saw kids taking that for granted. And the parents worked on.
Sometimes you've just got to embrace you're inner child and dance with a bunch of balloons.
