Inspiration Comes Because of Discipline

Elizabeth Gilbert’s thoughts on creativity and work are running through my head. The more I read and the more time that passes, the more I realize that if I’m going to do anything, I should spend my time creating something and then putting it out there for the world to see, not keeping it to myself for somebody to maybe discover when I die, and not writing random blog posts or linking to interesting Youtube videos or articles on Facebook. If I want my life to matter then I need to put in the hard work of creating something – a book or film – and then sending it out into the world. If it sucks then it sucks. If no little genius visits my corner of the library as I concoct a story of D******** or whatever I am compelled to work on, I will still show up and write because that’s my job. If I am visited by little fairies and they choose to sprinkle me with their magic dust and my story ends up being fantastic, then great. I will celebrate, thank the god, have a little rest, and then move on to the next project, because that’s my job. Humans were made to work really hard and then rest for a bit, and then work real hard again and rest. And after a time of rest, get back to work. That is the rhythm of life – work, rest, work, rest, work, rest. Don’t wait for a little muse to descend onto your shoulder and dictate to you. If Madeleine L’Engle was correct, inspiration comes during work, not before it. If Rob Bell is right, inspiration comes because of discipline. If Stephen Pressfield was on to something, sit down and don’t quit no matter what.

(from april 15, 2009)
(do as i say not as i do)

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