Genius

Ideas are not ours alone. Ideas belong to the greater consciousness.
I watched the TED talk presented by Elizabeth Gilbert.
She speaks about creativity, where it comes from and how to see it. She points out that the ancient Romans and Greeks didn’t assume all responsibility for creativity and innovation. Instead they used words like “Damon” or “Genius”. One would have a genius, like a creative helper, to channel an idea from the high subconscious or god to man. We can make it material, but they deliver the inspiration. This is liberating. As I have experienced and Elizabeth points out, as an artist one of our greatest struggles arises in the moment after we’ve created our best work. That’s when we are faced with a fear of having peaked in our life or careers. Will I ever top that? How depressing? So to believe that our creative genius is due in part to a genius and not our genius, provides a huge relief. It takes the pressure off. When I succeed, I have someone to thank. If I fail, well then I just wasn’t understanding my genius correctly. Better luck next time. On to the next.