A Feather
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:00AM 
Have you seen the movie Dumbo recently? Do you remember the scene where the birds give him a magic feather to help him fly? I was thinking about that when I drew this feather. Dumbo could already fly, but he just needed a little confidence.
I feel that way sometimes. Like I have all the skills and talents required to do great things, but I just can't quite figure out how to get off the ground. I get a great idea and I start working on it but it just doesn't go where I want it to, or it ends up being more work that I anticipated. I focus on one thing and something else suffers. I rebel against rules and constraints, while still trying to figure out the formula for success.
All of these courses and conferences I have been attending have stirred up so much good stuff, about what I love and who I want to be, but I feel like there are so many different possibilities that I can't make up my mind about which one is my best shot. At the Mom 2.0 Summit, Stacey Ferguson did one of the 7 minute talks and explained that it's ok to be multi-passionate. I don't have to choose just one path and I can pursue all my passions at once if I figure out the common thread and a way to make them all work together and complement each other. That is what I am trying to do.
I think I have also reached the point where I need to define WHY I am doing these things. What is my end goal? What is my success matrix? I believe it has grown beyond simply having a creative outlet and doing this for my own personal fulfillment and enjoyment. I want to inspire people, I want to build a community, I want to make some money. When I wrote my piece for BlogStar, I think I came the closest I have ever been to defining why I write, take pictures and make art.
I want to fly, I just need a feather to help me get off the ground. It will be that magic thing that sets me apart, the secret ingredient, the awesome idea. It feels like it is on the tip of my tongue, I just need to grasp it. I know I will get it, I just have to keep working at it. Re-assessing, re-evaluating, re-calibrating. I just need to keep learning, creating and connecting and one of these days it will all coalesce into something amazing.
Drawing, Feather in Creative Work, Illustration
Reader Comments (6)
Leslie, I totally understand this. Lately I've been giving myself permission to not do the most goal-efficient, streamlined dream out there, but to try "the next" dream. I am always going to be interested in 17 million things -- waiting for that to end and for me to focus on one is not likely to happen. :) so I've decided to look 2 inches in front of me and try what seems fun now. It may not be the best long-term idea, but it will get me feeling accomplished and get some experience under my belt.
Just 2 cents from a fellow multi-passionate person! :)
Jen - you are totally right. I feel like I've been operating this way for the last year though and I am itching to work on the bigger picture plan. It's so much harder when you are dealing with multiple passions, but that's where my head has been lately. When I get overwhelmed with that though I do just what you are saying and get back to the here and now. Just focus on the work and trust that I will get there eventually. Thanks for your awesome comment! xo
I totally, totally relate to this. It's tough to feel like you're working hard but things aren't taking off. I get it. I hope you find your feather soon.
I can so relate. I am a multi passion person as well. I feel so much like I am on the verge of something big. It just seems around the corner.
I used to feel flighty about having different passions, that I should just settle down and pick one thing. But that's not me. Not at all. I have all sorts of interests.
The answer? Dreaming what "there" looks like. Dreaming without buts and judgements. Or comparisons. What do you really want? Where do you really want to be? Can we even admit it to ourselves?
Thanks Amy! So happy to see your comment. I love your new site, I think maybe I might need to redesign mine as well, or think about a new framework at least... I feel like the blog format is limiting me a little and I'd like a format that better highlights past content. Are you doing the painting class? I haven't seen you in there.
Sandra - as always, wise words. I think you are totally right. Maybe it's time for another mood board, or brainstorming. I might go back over Karen's Pathfinder class and revisit some of the projects, see if anything is different now. I think I am mostly afraid of being too specific or too limited in my dreams and that what I want might not be something I can imagine yet. I need to leave room for spontaneity and collaboration.
I totally get you!
But in your case, let me tell you, you're already flying, Leslie.