When things
that seem important work on multiple levels or in multiple directions, that
resonates with me. It seems hopeful that correcting in one way will fix
multiple things. I guess you could call it synergy, but just now I was thinking
that maybe life is fractal.
One thing
that has been pointed out lately is that we don't seem to believe people with a
problem until someone not affected weighs in. People are more likely to accept
stories of sexual harassment in the comics world when a male confirms it,
beyond the word of those hysterical females. We pay attention when someone who
does not have to live on food stamps tries to survive on that budget, though
their experience will not take into account factors like food deserts and the
sheer exhaustion of living in poverty.
Because I
had also been thinking about the issues of minority representation in media and
entertainment, my thoughts were working along the lines of how we really need
to hear from everyone; every voice needs to speak and be heard.
The posts
for December 30th through January 1st kind of went that way, where the problem
looked different depending on which side of it you were on, but seemed to
require the same solution, which was more speaking up. I mention that mainly
because the first post, on authenticity, works as a companion to this week's
writing about honesty. We need to get things out for our own sake, but it is
necessary for society too.
The other
theme I keep coming back to is the need for creativity, to where I was starting
to put them together in my head. That kind of works - you can talk about
creative self-expression - but they are still not automatically synonymous.
I can have
a conversation with a friend where I pour my heart out, and where opinions are
expressed, and that is not really creative, unless we broaden the definition so
that it includes the creation of memories, or strengthening a friendship is
counted as part of the creation of a friendship, or the creation of a
healthier, broader mind.
Conversely,
I can follow a pattern and knit a sweater that looks just like another sweater
that someone else designed, and I have made something, but that is not really
self-expression, unless we broaden the definition to say that just my choosing
to learn to knit, and put the time in there, and choosing that specific pattern
counts as an expression of self.
Regardless,
the two work well together. With a lot of the crafts where you are following
patterns, you can get kind of meditative during that process, and have many
thoughts, and perhaps you will work out some of the things that I do by journal
writing.
Also, there
is that sense of accomplishment when you are done: I made this. Not everyone
can do it. It takes some mastery to be able to do other things. Crafters often
turn their output into gifts, and strengthen relationships that way.
At the same
time, talking to someone, and getting out your thoughts and feelings, can build
confidence, where you may feel more free to try out some art. It may give you
ideas of things that you want to convey, where you look for other means of
expressing them.
I favor
writing as my means of creative self-expression, because it works for me. I
have at times used it very deliberately for therapy, and there have been many
times when I thought I was just writing but it was therapeutic. However, if I
can feel that I need to write, and there are specific things that I need to
write, or start feeling like I need to draw or play bass, then it stands to
reason that other people can be guided down the paths they need as well.
It's a very
easy voice to shut out. There can be work and family responsibilities that wear
you out, and then the most passive entertainment sounds like a really good
idea. And I watch plenty of television, so I get that, but make room for the
other things too. I am constantly finding new levels of how important it is.
See, I have
just now slipped into emphasizing the creative side versus the self-expression
side, while knowing that they are equally important. That could be due to it
being common for people to not feel that they are creative, or can be, while it
should always be very natural to speak one's mind. There are a lot of voices
out their trying to shout down yours, though, and it can be easy to believe they
are right. Don't.
Especially
don't believe them if they are wealthier or more popular, more powerful than
you. It is entirely possible that their power depends upon your continued
silence, which would be very unlikely if they were using their power well.
I know I
will be coming back here multiple times, and getting into how it relates to
power, and recognition, and many other things. For now, my message is merely
that you have value, and there are things inside you that have value. It will
benefit you to get them out.
So think,
feel, talk, write, draw, paint, dance, and sing. Knit and bake and scrapbook.
Speak.
Create. Repeat.
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