Today, I read an opinion piece from a fellow writer fighting against corporate strictures (it’s called How Corporate America Killed My Writing by Jim Sollisch). It resounded with me because I also feel the shackles that he fights against. I’m not linking to it because of all of the stupid copyright fights that are going on in court nowadays, killing the ability to share with one another without worrying about ownership. But that’s a discussion for another day.
We’re all writers, though some are more in tune with this passion than others. We all have passions that drive us, whether it be words, rhythms, or brush strokes. We all have a creative side that yearns to be heard, touched, and respected. I’ve even bought myself a quote ring (by the phenomenal Juella Designs) that I wear daily to remind myself to respect my passion because that’s the only way that I’m saving my passion. Passion is nurtured, just as any emotion needs to be. But the passion of creation is one of the most powerful because of what it can become.
Anyone who does their passion professionally runs the risk of facing disagreement with their creation. No one seems to respect the creator much anymore, because all they’re concerned with is the product. It can’t even be called a creation because it lacks the passion that normally drives our creations. Words put together to sell have a different rhythm than words that contain our soul. Perhaps they’re meant to, because the process is so different. But the one risk that we all face is the loss of passion because someone worries about cost without respecting the personal. If it costs you more than you’re willing to part with, then what is its true worth to YOU? And if it doesn’t create more passion, than what is its purpose to YOU? At some point, you have to recognize that YOU count just as much as what you can do. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
We all have to sell out to some level to pay the bills. But we shouldn’t have to suffocate our soul in order to produce on demand. True creation cannot be demanded – it comes naturally because life searches out what it wants to spark. The spark is there for a reason that has absolutely nothing to do with money. If all you see is the money, then you won’t get why so many chose to create just because. Some creators get that you’re saving your passion, because it’s the way to save your soul. Life has soul, and it’s a very important spark of creation.
Perhaps DangerDust represents it best with a quote from Robin Williams:
Spark of Madness by DangerDust and Robin Williams
…just saying
