Masters of our Fate

In turbulent times it can seem frivolous to spend any time nurturing your creativity, but I would argue it is more important than ever.

We feel safe when we are rooted in certainty, when we believe we are in control of what is happening to us.

How many of us can truly say we enjoy the challenge change brings when it confronts us?

I remember when my mum died, I suddenly realised the invisible shield protecting me from the realities of the world vanished too, that from the moment on only I could be responsible for myself.

But responsibility doesn’t have to be chore. Being creative is a great way to practice this. Baking, gardening, writing, making art – whatever feeds your soul is valuable because you are refusing to be a passenger in your life, but instead steering the wheel guiding your actions.

This creative act doesn’t have to be something grand – though it could be. It’s what has unique meaning for you.

Ultimately, whatever being creative means to you will not only nourish yourself, but those around you.

As the writer Chuck Wendig observes,

‘It’s hard right now to make anything, which is all the more reason we must exalt that what is being made. We need it…It is not trivial. Rather, it is essential.’

Chuck Wendig’s blog is can be found at terribleminds.com

Finally, in honour of William Shakespeare’s birthday today, I chose this quote by Cassius from Julius Caesar - Act 1 Scene 2

‘Men at some time are masters of their fates.

The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.’

#midweekmeanderings