I asked myself, “how can I cheat?”
Using Malcolm Gladwell's often touted 10,000-hour rule of mastery, what were my passions that gave me a head-start, and could I turn them into a career? I made a list.
It wouldn't be woodworking because I only had a couple hundred hours there. Writing was a possibility. Then there was music. Not quite 10,000 hours from the years mom planted me in front of the piano, but it was close. Then I dug deeper and realized I know too many incredible musicians who make, literally, hundreds of dollars a year. I don't have enough love for music to put in the extra 1000s of hours to make that kind of money.
Finding a passion I can 'cheat in' hasn't happened, but this fact remains: I love to create. Artists just can't help it.
Art forms don’t need to be a source of income, they can just be your passions. But there is an underlying commonality that’s more important than money. It has something to do with the uniqueness all artists have.
We are creators.
The classic Sunday school song ‘This little light of mine’ has a line, “…hide it under a bushel, NO!” that serves as a reminder for Christians. Often we're more prone to settle in our world that rarely meanders beyond the confines of the church walls. It's easier to share community with other Christians, only read Christian books, only listen to Christian music, and on and on. There’s something eerily consumptive about the whole experience that, to me, seems disconnected from how Jesus lived — a life for others.
What does this have to do with creative activities?
Too often Christians are described by what they stand against rather than what they stand for: creators created in God's image tasked to beautify the world around them.
Creators are not perennial consumers. No matter the size, we leave something behind rather than taking from this world. We offer our contributions, collaborating with the unfolding Kingdom of God to add beauty.
The exercise of simply creating is profound and intimately connected to God’s dream for you and I, but for all of creation as well. The dream and hope to restore all things is glimpsed every time we say, “yes”, I’m going to make that pie, I’m going to write that sonnet, I’m going to fill that canvas, I’m going to pen that song…and on and on.
Creators create and that’s the difference our world needs.
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Rohadi’s first publication is now available: "Soul Coats: Restoration” is an adult Christian colouring book with over 64 beautifully illustrated scenes and scriptures from the Bible.
Wise advice, Rohadi! Artists do what they do for the love of it first.
ReplyDeleteYes, when we create a bring in new perspectives to the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Rohadi, on several points. I don't think there's a cheater's way in to becoming a master in any art. I do, however, see a creator's uniqueness in your adult Christian colouring book. No cheating necessary.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thought that, since we are created in God's image, we are tasked to beautify the world around us. We are also tasked to be producers rather than the consummate consumers, who buy, buy, buy. May we all create in word, song, visual arts, building, or whatever art form we have been gifted to bring out into the shining light of day. Thanks for your blog.
It's countercultural isn't it?!
DeleteThank you for the reminder that what we create no matter how small is important- we create and don't just consume - leaving something behind for another to enjoy. I really liked your perspective on the creative arts.
ReplyDeleteCreators are not perennial consumers ... We offer our contributions, collaborating with the unfolding Kingdom of God to add beauty. Thanks for these thoughts of our contributing beauty. Appreciated your words.
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