Hi Hi!
These days I’m suffering with simmering disquietude nearly all the time. I know you know why… the world, our country. When I told my acupuncturist about the state of my being she stuck needles around my head in a sort of spiky lion’s mane, which momentarily amped my disquietude🙃, but did put me to sleep on the table🙂.
How are you? If you’re suffering too, if you feel stymied, creatively or otherwise, here’s a letter from dancer/choreographer Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille that may inspire:
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and (will) be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours. Clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself and your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
It is not your job to tell yourself no! Bears repeating. It is not your job to tell yourself no.
It doesn’t matter how you express your creativity: write, draw, paint, make up puzzles, cook, knit, garden, play with children, sew, arrange flowers… dance!
From Martha Graham’s Company:
And, some moves you may have seen already, but oh, Dear Reader, they’re wonderful:
Yes, please! I want whatever she’s having (click on the photo):
Inspired? Your turn! Dance tutorials here!
If you missed the last few jewels… no fear! cookies. melon salad. novel. And, to stay in the loop:
Tell your people you love them, and take care of your skin!
Wow! just what I needed today. Thanks.
I loved this post so much, Natalie. All the links were wonderful. I did not know how badly I needed a TLC dance tutorial in my life. But thankfully you did! Today's about to get good.