The idea can start like a twitch or a giggle. It can remain soft, nearly silent just at the edge of awareness. It can burst forth like a massive explosion of fireworks spewing light and noise, showering us with anticipation. It can hide and tease us with its absence but once experienced we cannot forget the joy of our own creativity.
People admire the finished piece marvelling at its ability to evoke their feelings and stir their thoughts. Little do they realize how much of our Self is embedded in our work. True creativity takes physical and mental discipline. The skills of the dance steps, the sureness of the note, the way to handle the material, move a brush or cut with a knife must be learned. It is after the learning and practice that the spiritual energy can flow through the artist and she can create from her soul.
Confidence is the ability to know we are capable of doing something. We can be confident about some things and insecure about others. It is human nature to feel insecure about our Selves. We doubt that we are good enough, seek reassurance and then still question if the praise is true and genuine.
Looking for confirmation from others leaves us doomed to feel frustration and anxious. Since judging a creative piece is filtered through the personality and experience of the observer who come with their own expectations there is no such thing as a universal reaction to any given event or item. There will always be those who feel the need to critique, to feel somehow better or superior and those who will gush with praise for fear of hurting the feelings of the artist.
True creative success comes when we know we have achieved our personal best. It is the meeting of our own critical eye or ear and being able to say: I am proud of this! When we have the confidence that we have achieved something we are happy to share, a deep sense of satisfaction is achieved. No one can take that away. We have given a very personal gift, a part of our spirit.
