A Creative’s Calling

by Jotter girl on September 16, 2013

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When creatives are told they are different, crazy or even wrong, I believe it’s just a misunderstanding, possibly coming from a place of discomfort.

A creative’s calling is not to be comfortably original.   It is to be vulnerable to their own ideas, while having the spirit to bare themselves at the risk of judgment.  It is this exposure that can translate into disapproval or respect.

We are not safe in our inspiration.

We are confessing and disclosed.

While our creative innocent may be wounded by a sideswipe, our present self can reflect that we are in good company.   And while our creative innocent flourishes from respect, our present self knows this jury is fickle and it’s best to keep our Dog ready to guard or console.

We must enter our creative moments with a nod to good company from present and past.  We must believe our confessions are true and worth being received with empathy. What happens after that is simply not up to us.

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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }

Twitter Flirt September 16, 2013 at 7:46 pm

I just took a peek at your site yesterday for something new. Very well said.

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Jotter girl September 16, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Thanks Twitter Flirt, coming from you that is a very big compliment.

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Twitter Flirt September 16, 2013 at 8:01 pm

I’m just glad my Jotter Girl* Sense still tingles properly.

*-formerly Winky Sense

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Jotter girl September 16, 2013 at 8:39 pm

Don’t get me started!

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Twitter Flirt September 16, 2013 at 8:47 pm

But you look so lovely with ruffled feathers!

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Jotter girl September 16, 2013 at 9:00 pm

Hence the name twitter flirt.
A better name was never assigned….

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OpinionsToGo September 16, 2013 at 8:02 pm

Wow, you said a whole lot in a very short space! So true…so relatable!

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Jotter girl September 16, 2013 at 8:38 pm

Thanks OTG, glad you can relate. Hope you are doing well!

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Jo-Anne September 16, 2013 at 8:21 pm

I have a creative daughter so I get being creative and different but alas so many people do not

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Jotter girl September 16, 2013 at 8:37 pm

Being creative is a risk to your senses every day. Not being thick skinned, I find it challenging at times.

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Mynx September 16, 2013 at 9:27 pm

It is hard to open up and show your creativity to the world. I still have plenty of moments of hesitation and plenty of insecurity.
I can certainly relate to this

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Jotter girl September 17, 2013 at 7:04 am

Mynx,
I agree, it can be difficult to share especially if you are not quite sure how you are feeling about a piece yourself. Sometimes outside opinions can mold your own which is why I have trouble sharing works in progress.

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Cathy W September 16, 2013 at 9:34 pm

So, SO well said !!!

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Jotter girl September 17, 2013 at 7:05 am

Thanks Cath-
I am sure you must feel something similar about your photography.

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Criss September 17, 2013 at 8:50 am

Very well said.
“We are the music makers… and we are the dreamers of dreams.” – Willy Wonka

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Jotter girl September 17, 2013 at 9:11 am

Love that quote Criss!

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Criss September 17, 2013 at 9:28 am

How dull life would be without our creative people! ;)

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Barbara September 17, 2013 at 9:20 am

Very deep, Catherine. And I couldn’t agree more. Even though I appear to have a thick skin…it’s a facade when it comes to my creative side. I think that vulnerability is what keeps so many creatives from going for the gold.
Well done!
b

and so glad to see a post from Jotter Girl!!

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Jotter girl September 17, 2013 at 9:48 am

Thanks Barb. This post came from a very silly comment made to me which really made me think about how vulnerable artists can be. How the perception of someone else showing disapproval can really be a reflection on the fact that what you have written, drawn etc. has made them uncomfortable in some way. Being a creative sometimes takes courage.

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