EVERY IMAGE TELLS A STORY - DARING GREATLY
Often when I make an image the story it tells is inspired by something I've read, heard or a song I've listened to. I see the scene and it triggers the words. Do you ever find that?
I came across this willow tree last week which seemed to be "daring greatly." I imagined it's story to be one of risk and resilience. Perhaps it got an unlucky start too close to the water's edge or was the unfortunate casualty of a summer storm. Whatever the reason, this lone willow is now stretched precariously out beyond the safety of solid ground. With its roots lashed to the ever shifting and rocky shoreline it seems to be... "daring greatly."
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic" delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
I was recently (yes I realize I am late to the party) introduced to these words while watching Chase Jarvis interview Brene Brown on his show. It's a long format interview but I found it terrifically inspiring. When it comes to making my art, I am inspired to be the "one in the arena" the "doer of deeds" the one "striving valiantly." Creating is risky - you have to be vulnerable. But nothing risked, nothing gained. In fact in the case of un-used creativity - perhaps much lost!
If you are curious or in the mood for a bit of inspiration I would encourage you to watch the interview or look up Brene Brown. She has written several books, done Ted Talks and runs Creativity Workshops through Oprah's website.
I hope you've had a wonderful weekend my friends... and if you are not daring greatly in your own life already, perhaps something you found here will inspire you.