Be good to yourself!

local artist, Queenstown New Zealand

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.

-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) American Poet

 
Sometimes, in our quest to achieve, we focus solely on what we want to do and forget to look back and see how far we've come.

It doesn't help that we live in a world where everything is up-to-the minute and has to constantly prove itself relevant. We might start to wonder if we have been left behind.

That's where friends are so important. They remind us that we are dedicated, talented, persistent and that we will succeed, because we've proven that we have the gumption to keep pushing through obstacles and self-imposed mental/emotional barriers. We think outside the box. We re always looking at things from a unique perspective. As writers, artists or musicians we have already achieved a level of success most people would find amazing. Just reaching out to an audience through our work is a risk. It's deeply personal and we wonder if its worth anything to them. But we have a gift and others rely upon us to express what they cannot.

Here's a really interesting article about the the personalities of creative people in general, not just artistic types. Gary Davis says they are risk takers, enthusiastic, curious, analytical, persistent, confident, intelligent and have a 'tolerance for complexity'.

So, keep pushing forward, but allow yourself to indulge, just for a moment, to pat yourself on the back for what you have already achieved. You're among friends.

cheers, Dawn