One of the most complex issues we tend to face as artists is the whole notion of finding a way to get out of our way.
Time and time again, it seems like this topic of conversation comes up when addressing the myriad of obstacles that, without fail, inhibit the desired freedom we desperately crave in our work and our lives.
In my eighteen years of teaching and coaching, I have found that this question always seems to be common ground:
“What do I do so I can break free?!”
The best piece of advice I can ever give is to let go of holding onto what you have thought or still think things are suppose to be or how they are suppose to go.
I know when we face questions such as this, it is most likely being stirred up because a specific moment in time is being experienced as complicated, difficult, stifling, and/or even painful.
It is especially during these times that we want to clench onto what feels familiar by believing it serves as some sort of “life preserver” preventing us from drowning in the unknown.
But sometimes it is our holding onto the familiar that is actually the very thing that is keeping us in the circumstances from which we are trying to break free.
So I propose these question back in response to the original question:
“Did you ever ask yourself what is keeping you from letting go of how or what you think things are suppose to be or look like?
Why is it so difficult to just let go?
What if you just let go?
What if you face and embrace the unknown?
What if beyond that wall of your everyday rigid belief system and structure lives the key to your freedom, to your healing, and to that creative bliss you yearn for as an artist?
And as a human being?
What if the unknown is not the enemy you may be defining it as?
What if it is the “hallelujah” you have been seeking?”
You see, all those “things”…
All those “experiences”…
All those “thoughts”…
All those “relationships”…
That we are very often holding onto with such strict definitions, blueprints and expectations…
That we may think are the rock that is keeping us sound and safe and stable…
May also be the very things that may be holding us down and back from our greatest potential.
It is like an anchor holding a ship in its harbor…
Yes, that anchor serves it’s purpose…
But when the ship is ready to move on to its next destination, that anchor needs to go so the ship can go to where it supposed to be.
Sometimes we have to just let go…
And I know it is difficult…
I know it is scary…
But we have to trust that the unknown has the answer for us…
We have to trust that if we move on…
What is meant to come to us will come…
And trust that it is in our best and highest purpose.
And trust that it is for our good.
And to get there, we have to be willing to do the work.
We have to be willing to face what is not serving us and LET IT GO to make room for what does.
And we have to have the strength, perseverance, willingness, self trust and self love to do this kind of work on our own.
Of course others may be of service but the truth is, it is ALL YOU.
It can ONLY happen from and through you.
So do yourself the favor and break free from any and all “anchors” that are not good to you, for you, and about you.
Then climb over that tall wall no matter how difficult it may be.
Use your blood, sweat, and tears to find your freedom and finally meet your true Self, your realized Self, and your actualized dreams on the other side.
Once you get there, I guarantee you will wonder why you held onto all the other stuff as long as you had.
