Today I just finished listening to Art & Soul Reloaded by Pam Grout on audiobook. I absolutely loved it! I love Pam's view of the world. I have read several of her other books. Each book is super inspiring and makes me feel alive. Her books help me to laugh at life and myself. Stop taking everything so seriously.
This book in particular spoke to the perfectionist in me. The one who is afraid of looking like a fool. I realized, looking silly is nothing to be ashamed of. Instead I should strive to look different or silly. Those people who we often consider weird are the very people who inspire us! Like Michael Jackson or Prince or Freddy Mercury. They are the ones who really live life. They take chances instead of saying, "oh well what will my friends think?" Life is about living, and living is about taking those chances to look... weird.
I'm not saying that I want to start doing "dangerous" things, but I would love to adopt Pam's childlike way of thinking. The way of thinking that says I am good enough just the way I am. Like Pam says, if you ask a five year old if they can paint or dance or draw, they will automatically tell you, "well of course! Everyone can silly!" However, as we get older, we begin to believe our teachers and parents and society who says you need training or you don't know what you're doing. Suddenly all of our creativity gets shoved in the back corner because we believe we don't have the same training as some one else.
Training and instruction are great! I view training/rules as training wheels on a bike. They can be helpful, but they are not needed. My boyfriend never had training wheels on his bikes. When he was a little tiny boy, he would just grab the older kids bikes and ride them around excitedly! We can all do that if we want! Just jump on knowing that God will carry you! And if you fall, that is half the fun! Lol However, if you do decide to use the training wheels or "learn a craft," you have the luxury of being able to let the rules go. Once you are ready to be you, it is time to break the rules and be different! Ride your bike free of imaginary restrictions! Fly :D
