So I want to talk about living within our True-Self (as Thomas Merton wrote about). Our True-Self is at the core of who we are and is rooted in love because it is a gift from God – a perfect gift from God.  Perfectionist-ism Is that a word? Probably not… but hey you already know I am imperfect… an Imperfectionist to the core. That is how this little Sunday Inspirational chat began… The Imperfectionist Art Movement.

Artists Living Within Our True Self

Sunday Inspiration Chat #9 Perfectionist-ism

The false-self is imperfect, but the True-Self is perfect. 

Did you happen to catch my late night performance last night LIVE? 

 

As I was doing my Morning Meditation this morning, the readings were all about being perfect. For those of you who may not know, I have a tiny ministry called Art as Prayer where I create a digital paintings and give a reflection on the day’s reading.

Today I wrote about: How can I be perfect? The world seems to expect a “no mistake” performance every time! That notion drives a disconnect within our society. 

Living Within Our True Self

Each of us has a True-Artist-Self, but sometimes we create out of our false-self – the one that is based on ego. When we make art out of our false-self we might see ‘others as different’ from us. This “othering” is what leads to the ‘inauthenticity’ we see so much of today – on social media especially.

Now I love social media and worked at one of the original social media companies for 8 years. And I am on it every day! But there are some who ‘portray’ this ‘othering’ to the max … especially on visual platforms like Instagram. 

Lovingly, I call them my ‘all white home with 5 perfect kids’ people! Come on… you know exactly what I am talking about. The perfect pictures … the perfect all white rooms with just a hint of gray … the kids all combed and standing still. 

Hints of the Stepfords abound….

We seem to almost expect a “no mistake” performance from everyone. It seems to be an evolution of our modern way of living that has progressively gotten more intense throughout history. 

But …

if we act out of our True-Self, which to me means out of Love, then we are. The false-self is imperfect, but the True-Self is perfect. 

As an artist there is a dichotomy here… a “no mistake” performance is limiting. Dichotomy means a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

Contrast

Ah Ha!!! Contrast! That is important in our art and in our world. An artist friend of mine once told me that I needed more contrast in some of my artwork that I showed her. She was right!!!

Now, one must be very courageous to show your work to anyone and ask for feedback. If you share your art online … you will receive plenty of feedback. And methinks that is why so many of us are shy or hesitant about sharing our art. And we end up with a room or a house full of creative expression that no one ever sees! Am I making sense here?

Artists Who Thrive

Back to my theory about The false-self is imperfect, but the True-Self is perfect thing. Artists who are massively successful have fully embraced their True-Self. They live full out, unashamed to be who they were born to be. And they can live joyously in or within their imperfectionism!

Mistakes don’t phase them. Creative accidents lead them down new paths. Their Muse takes them to new places as long as they ignore that “no mistake” performance thing!

I bet you can name a few of these artists or crafters!

Therefore, I encourage you to get into your creative space, invite your muse to accompany you … then fly away with your art tools and materials. 

Challenge yourself to use colors that you don’t like or try a technique you have been afraid to try. This is what I am doing every day on camera, in front of YOU! I am afraid of watercolor. I am afraid of lettering. And I don’t like the color brown. If you have watched my previous videos, you know these things. 

Start using your stash that you are ‘saving’ for something that you can’t even explain. You know I have a propensity to buy and hoard art supplies!! Yep, I am forcing myself to use them in front of YOU this year. 

Guess what? I have found that it does not hurt nearly as much as my scaredy cat false-self, inner mean girl led me to believe all these years! GINGER

Perfectionist-ism – It’s all about BALANCE! 

This week I challenge you to walk into your creative space and invite your True-Self along. DO IT!!! 

Stand there and say, “True Me (insert your own name), come with me today. Make art with me. Show me the way to my art!” Say it outloud!! If your inner mean girl shows up, ask her to leave. Or better yet, tape her mouth shut! Humor me. Do it! Even if you feel silly! Silly is GOOD. Remember  after 54 days… we are DOERS now …

PS – Dreamers Into Doers  #DID2020 is all about Contagious Creativity

The more people who join in…the more fun and growth we will ALL have. If you know someone who might want to play along…please invite them.

May joy be with you all!

How can I serve YOU? How can I inspire YOUR creativity today? How can I help YOU? Learn about our Dreamer Into Doers 2020 Challenge. 20 minutes per day to develop and nurture a Personal Daily Creative Practice. There is Contagious Creativity awakening all around us. Come join the Contagious Creativity movement at https://www.facebook.com/Cre8Tiva/.