Elizabeth Gilbert defined Creative Living as "having the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you." (I stumbled upon an interesting book by her called "Big Magic). Of course, many of us don't live this way because of fear. We are born with fear in order to keep us alive, so we cannot get rid of fear altogether. What that means is that we need to make room for fear but not let it control our lives. Strive to have a healthy relationship with FEAR.
Though she isn't a believer, there is a letter that she wrote to "fear" that I really like. So, I am going to quote her book here. I just think it describes so vividly what limits I need to set with my fears. And I love how she personifies Fear and Creativity. I don't' think I can describe it any better. Perhaps you can relate as well.
"Dearest FEAR,
Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you'll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently, your job is to induce complete panic whenever I'm about to do anything interesting-- and, may I say, you are superb at your job. So, by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There's plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and so I will never exclude you from your activities, but still -- your suggestions will never be followed. You're allowed to have a seat, and you're allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You're not allowed to touch the road maps; you're not allowed to suggest detours; you're not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you're not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."
"It isn't always comfortable or easy -- carrying your fear around with you on your great and ambitious road trip, I mean -- but it's always worth it, because if you can't learn to travel comfortably alongside your fear, then you'll never be able to go anywhere interesting or do anything interesting.
And that would be a pity, because your life is short and rare and amazing and miraculous, and you want to do really interesting things and make really interesting things while you're still here. I know that's what you want for yourself, because that's what I want for myself, too.
It's what we all want.
You have treasures hidden within you -- extraordinary treasures -- and so do I, and so does everyone around us. And bringing those treasures to light takes work and faith and focus and courage and hours of devotion, and the clock is ticking, and the world is spinning, and we simply do not have time anymore to think so small. "
~by Elizabeth Gilbert
In this beginning of 2025, God has given you something to do, something that only you can give to the world, an inherent purpose from Him. Like many people experienced, as soon as you have an interesting idea or a desire to try something new, there will be many more voices from our good old friend "Fear" that warn us why we should not do it, and that we are destined to fail. I know because I hear my own loud and clear. One of my sponsor's best advice to me was, "Do it scared." It's an advice that I am still trying to live out. I discovered that as I age, the voice of fear gets louder. It probably explains why many old people don't even go out of their house. But I remembered a retired couple (maybe in their 70's) taking up piano lessons as beginners. They were my piano teacher's students, and I used to see them at recitals. Gosh, I admire them. It takes courage to learn something new amongst other 10-year-olds who can do better than them. But that's not the purpose of them learning piano. They don't want to win any competition, or perform at Carnegie Hall, or be famous or make lots of money. Not all creativities can be marketed. They play simply because they enjoy music, and they want to play piano. Whatever it is that God puts on your heart, go ahead and try it. There is a very thin line between "I can't" and "Learning". 😊 Lets choose "Learning". This year lets try something new.
Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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