Did you get a chance to hear Ethan Hawke's Ted talk ? If not, I highly recommend you do. Here's the YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/WRS9Gek4V5Q
I was really inspired by it. The talk made me recall some of my own experiences in life that re-enforce the idea of developing the courage to express one's individuality.
So, I am creative ( or that's what I think ) and one thing I love doing is choreographing. Not all of my choreos are brilliant & I have received criticism as well but that's never stopped me from creating & bringing to class my "original piece of work". And I am so glad for that. Because I have just so many beautiful memories of getting my students move to these numbers I have choreographed & have fun in the process.
Lesson from this: We can stiffle our creativity from fear of criticism. Don't let that happen. There is joy in expressing yourself for who you are, even if it's received well by fewer than many.
Take this newsletter for instance. While I have just recently started writing, I sometimes can't help wonder, if my content is really adding value to those who read it. Whether it's worth the effort ? I was put to ease with these thoughts, when the other day, a close school friend casually mentioned over a phone call, how some of the things I had been writing was casting a positive impression on her and how she was beginning to make the right lifestyle choices.
Today, we live in a world where we may judge ourselves and our work based on the likes we get or the followers we have. But, that's not the right yardstick.
When we genuinely offer to the world our unique creative expression - be it a choreography, a life lesson, an idea, a presentation, a recipe, a post, whatever else, we are touching lives. Doesn't matter whether it is one life or many.
There will always be people who will resonate with your voice & your style. They are your people. Talk to them. Make a difference.
I will leave you with a lovely quote from the book, “The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse ” by Charlie Mackesy, “Don't measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated. Always remember you matter, you're important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”
Did you resonate with my post? What life experiences have you had, that made you realize about the preciousness of your own voice? Let me know in comments or drop me a mail. I would love to hear from you💕
Good read. Will look up the YouTube link too. Re. "sometimes can't help wonder, if my content is really adding value", just wanted to leave you a quote (I can see Manju laughing because she invariably gets this line from me 😅) – "A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song" . Keep singing. And dancing. And making others dance! 😊
Loved your post. Ofcourse, please do keep sharing your thoughts…