© photo by michelle bryant
i ran across this passage from ira glass and it got my mind to stirring. it states: “Nobody tells us this to people who are beginners, I WISH someone had told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have GOOD TASTE. But there is a gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, its JUST NOT THAT GOOD. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but its NOT. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people NEVER get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through YEARS of this. We know our work doesnt have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or are still in this phase, you gotta know it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is DO A LOT OF WORK. Put yourself on a deadline…It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take a while. It’s normal to take awhile. You just GOTTA FIGHT your way through.”
And although Ira is probably talking about something tangible like photography, wood working, painting, a particular project or something along those lines, the concept of the message led mi down a completely different trail…myself. i know that i am a work in progress and i have been told that i set such high standards for myself that i unintentionally pass them on to those close to mi making it almost unbearable to be with mi. Steve Jobs, creator of Apple computers recently passed away at a very young age and yet although a genius in his field, was known by many as a tyrant to work for. His bedside manner was imploreable and many of his employees worked in upwards of 100 hours a week, some even had their bed in their offices. And yet they knew they were a part of something huge and working with greatness. I want to be the best that I can be and STILL strive for perfection in ALL i do. Now i know the only perfect person ever to walk the earth also walked on water and i’m not He, but i’m still trying.. everyday… to be kinder, more compassionate, more patient and loving than the day before in hopes that i will be better than “just good.” I also want my art to reflect that light as well, to warrant someone else taking the time from their busy day to appreciate it and feel what i felt when i created it. And so, everyday that i wake up is a gift from God in an attempt to figure out how to get closer to being as good as my desire to be in all that i do.
~”mi”
© michelle bryant