EMERGE

Surfing the web, I happened upon a free introductory course in oil painting. The instructor, a young Frenchman, was painting a landscape and talking while I looked over his shoulder.  

Loaded brush in hand, he offered a bit of artistic insight that grabbed me. “Never worry about creating your own unique style as an artist,” he said, “Just work at constantly improving your skill as a painter and your personal style will emerge all on its own.”

I find this to be extremely sage advice--and not just for artists.  

Ultimately, one’s unique style, voice, groove--as well as one’s overall approach to life and resultant contribution to the world--cannot be gained by copying anyone else. It won’t be authentic. Won’t be real. No, we must each surf, stop, observe, consider, experiment and then put into practice what we personally are gleaning from the world and life around us. There is just no other way. There can be no other us. 

Yes, many are happy (some all too happy) to teach us how to do life--and maybe even love. But their advice, even when well-meant, won’t stick, won’t stay....unless we each do the transformative  work of hearing deeply what life’s many teachers are telling us.

And then act on it.

Let’s take a moment to think of the people in our lives who have created their own style, found their own voice, settled into their own groove (or whatever your preferred cliche) and made their unique contribution to us and the world. Then, let’s thank them--whether they’re still with us or not--whether we even know them or not. Next, let’s recognize that they are actually doing (or have done) just what the art instructor advised: Not worrying about creating their own “style,” they’ve just kept working at improving their skills at being lovingly, creatively, joyfully human…and all of its own, their style--their way of being in the world--emerged. 

Finally, let’s not attempt to copy what makes these prophetic individuals stand alone in our crowd. Rather, let’s use the inspiration with which they fill us to go and do our own version of the same.

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT HOW WE HUMANS EMERGE.