You’ve made the decision. To write a novel. To compose a song. To learn how to cook. To run a marathon. When you came to that conclusion, it was so exciting, so enticing, so life-changing. To think that you, no, YOU were going to do something you had never done before, that sounded like the thing you’ve been looking for to start life in a new direction. And now that you’ve slept on that idea, all of a sudden, you’re not so sure. Whatever action you’ve decided to take is not only a next step in doing something that fascinates you, but you just know it is the thing that will begin the next phase of life, of getting you unstuck, of giving purpose to your existence. The big question floating in front of you, though, is ‘Where do I begin? I’ve finally realized what I need to do, but I don’t know where to start.’
All of a sudden this idea now seems scary, and we feel a bit alone. The initial enthusiasm is gone, but the idea still burns brightly in our mind. This song or this book means something to us because we love music or literature, and we so want to be a part of this wonderful-seeming world of being one of the creators of pieces that speak to others. And left to our own devices, it is daunting. As any actor will tell you, a play or a movie is the work of many people, not one. Even solo shows have many people involved, though we may see just one person on stage. Playwrights or screenwriters may write their play or movie by themselves, but when the writing stops, the editing begins, the readings begin, in order for the writer to hear their own words spoken out loud, to see if they really do work for the story being told. Largely, the writer then takes the screenplay back to the drawing board, editing this out, inserting a new idea, deleting a character and adding two others, all in the name of making the story work in the best way possible. Given how this was done, with many other people involved, his ‘solo’ work, when finally finished, will be the result of others helping him through the process.
Left to our own devices, we tend to lose patience with ourselves, and we are often the hardest on ourselves. To be patient with ourselves is vital. It is also difficult. We have a particular view on what we ‘should’ be able to do given our education, our knowledge, our experience, but we often have trouble seeing ourselves as others see us, or how we see others. The idea, whatever it is, is wonderful. It is a seed to be planted, nourished, cared-for, and like a seed, we need to be patient waiting for it to bloom and grow to fruition. We can cultivate it.
We now have our seed. If you don’t know how to ‘plant’ this particular seed, ask someone who has done it already. A songwriter. An author. Listen, ask questions, seek others who can also help. Patiently, and with love, cultivate your seed.