So I’m trying to imbed a video. It’s not happening. For some science-y reason. But there you go. Nonetheless, take 18 minutes out of your life and watch THIS. My excellent SIL Jen sent it to me. It’s Elizabeth Gilbert – remember her? (in the video. not my SIL.) She wrote “Eat Pray Love” (of which I rather enjoyed the Eat section). Now she gives a talk about Genius. If you don’t have 18 minutes, here is a cliff’s notes version, with some of her great words.
She has a concern that society sees creatives as necessarily Suffering Individuals. She uses words like Odious (which makes me love her) to describe this perspective. But she goes back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they shared a similar view (to each other, not to Suffering): There’s this outside source of ideas and creativity. Greek called it a Daemon (not so much a demon), and the Romans called it a Genius. The distinction is important: the person isn’t the genius, he has been visited by the Genius. It’s the Muse. She calls this a “protective psychological construct” – you can never take all the credit for your creations, because your Genius is really responsible. And, on the flipside, when you do a bad job, the worst someone can say to you is “your genius was kind of lame.”
She mentions, briefly, the idea that the Work exists outside of the creator, and I love this. Do you know who Arnold Friberg is? He’s a painter of heroic portraits, religious or patriotic in content. Husband and I heard him lecture once, and he said the same thing. The picture exists, and comes tapping on his shoulder. If he won’t paint it, someone else will. Of course, he said it much more eloquently… But here’s the thing. I love that thought. That there is a Source for all this creativity.
Gilbert skirts around it for about 16 of her 18 minutes, but I wanted to raise my hand and say, Hey, Liz – I know what that is. That’s what we call God. The most Supremely Creative being. Your Heavenly Father. He has all creativity, and He wants to share it with you, His child. It’s called Inspiration – the breath of God. But, wait. Because then she ends with the great story of these ancient African dancers becoming so attuned to their dancing that they would become transcendent. Lit. Inspired. And their Moorish audience would chant “Allah. Allah. Allah.” As in, we see God in you.
How about that?
And then, the Moors went ahead and conquered Spain, and their chant got an accent: ¡Olé! ¡Olé! ¡Olé! We see God in you.
And that, my friends, is the feeling I get when I read wonderful, Inspired writing. When I see a great, uplifting film. When I look at breathtaking art. My heart leaps, and I want to shout, ¡Olé! ¡Olé! ¡Olé!
I see God in you.
(10) Comments for this blog
I think that’s why I read the blogs I do. Beautiful thoughts Becca.
I think that’s why I read the blogs I do. Beautiful thoughts Becca.
Wow, that’s how I feel when I write something well done on paper. =)
Wow, that’s how I feel when I write something well done on paper. =)
So awesome, I don’t even have the words to express how this made me feel. Ole, I guess!
So awesome, I don’t even have the words to express how this made me feel. Ole, I guess!
Wow, Becca. I’m teary over this one. ¡Olé! ¡Olé! ¡Olé!
This is just how I feel about creativity. In it and through it, I see the Hand of God and when I read it or watch it in its finished state, it’s like fluid grace. Beautiful, Becca. Just…thank you.
Wow, Becca. I’m teary over this one. ¡Olé! ¡Olé! ¡Olé!
This is just how I feel about creativity. In it and through it, I see the Hand of God and when I read it or watch it in its finished state, it’s like fluid grace. Beautiful, Becca. Just…thank you.
“You are a daughter of the most creative being in the universe…”
Love this post, my friend. I see God in you.
Ole!
“You are a daughter of the most creative being in the universe…”
Love this post, my friend. I see God in you.
Ole!