January 2020: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
As we have mentioned, we have a lot of love for this book, so the “summary” notes are fairly extensive, in that we feel like we were highlighting almost every page. Enjoy!
The story of Jack Gilbert (poet) and his stubborn gladness to live his most creative life, and where he encouraged students to be brave and to know they “why'“ behind the art.
“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.
On Page 13 Liz has a list of all the reasons why we might be afraid of living a more creative life- I will put that on a page in “Useful Stuff” as I think it’s worth looking closely at, and seeing if any of the fears apply to you.
Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.
Recognise what it feels like when inspiration comes to you.
Ideas as entities that are searching for a willing human partner to be made manifest.
Being open to notice ideas when they come to you (the reason why I think daydreaming is so important).
The notion of multiple discoveries (where two people discover the same thing at the same time) by multiple discoverers. Pg 61- it’s worth a look.
Sir Arthur Eddington, “Something unknown is doing we don’t know what.” Meaning: we don’t have to understand all the mechanics, we just need to love the process.
Discussion about Liz’s father: he didn’t quit his day job to follow his creativity, he just pursued things he was curious about, trusted his capabilities and didn't ask for advice from others.
The golden rule of Liz’s family: if you are supporting yourself financially, and not bothering anyone else, then you’re free to do whatever you want with your life.
You do not need anyone else’s permission to live a creative life. You are allowed to have a voice and a vision of your own.
Don’t take it all too seriously.
Let inspiration lead you.
You have inherent creativity.
It’s all temporary (life) so live big and bright and without fear of changes or failure.
Self-absorption will take you out of yourself and stop you from engaging fully with life.
Define your creative intention and declare it (out loud) eg: I am a writer… etc.
Don’t worry if something is already “done”. It’s ALL been done. Just do yours anyway, authentically. it doesn’t have to be original OR important- just do it because you like it.
Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart (the rest will take care of itself).
We NEED your work to enrich and inform our lives. So get onto it.
Stop complaining. (It scares inspiration away).
Creativity doesn’t have to be full of anguish- it can be light and fun and you can RELAX.
The paradox: your art does matter/doesn’t matter. (Page 135 if you want to hear Liz on this)
From Mark Manson, “What are you passionate enough about that you can endure the most disagreeable aspects of the work?”
You can look after yourself AND your creativity (and in fact you will probably find honour in this, which will make your work stronger.)
We persist in making because we care. We might not ever have enough time, money, support etc, but they are not the essential elements for creativity. They are: courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, trust. And they are accessible.
Of Liz’s talented friend, “I would rather be a beautiful failure that a deficient success.”
Perfectionism kills creativity (and it is just fear in disguise).
So many women hold themselves back for this reason- they want their work to be beyond criticism.
“The drive for perfectionism is a corrosive waste of time.”
We all need something that helps us forget ourselves for a while.
No body is thinking about you anyway (they are thinking about themselves).
Miraculous things can happen when you keep on showing up. (No doesn’t always mean no).
Your work is not necessarily sacred, but the time you spend working on it is. This is what transforms your imagination and your life.
Don’t quit just as it begins to get interesting (don’t be scared of the word interesting), or even more, don't quit too soon, or if things get a little tricky.
Stay in motion. If you can’t do the thing you long to do, then do something. Inspiration will be drawn to motion, rather than inertia.
in conclusion:
“Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise- you can make anything. So please calm down now and get back to work, okay? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.”
