Hey Pholks! Have you missed me? It has been a very eventful month for me and I'll update you all very soon!
In the video above, you'll have witnessed the blazing talent of Natalie Weiss singing Spark of Creation from Stephen Schwartz's incredible work, Children of Eden.
This post has double significance tonight. I'm introducing a new set of musings I'd like to call "Ponder and Prattle". These really are the not-so personal ramblings about which ever topic or event births an inspiration. Most importantly, I'd like to invite you all to feel free to respond! Prattle on about what ever thoughts are boiling away! Please be constructive and willing to push your growing edge. I will be moderating (not censoring) all conversations and will not condone behavior unbecoming of all you Phierce Pholks!
That said, allow me to get to what's caused my pondering today: the creative community getting back to telling their truth!
Today, the world celebrated the life of one of the greatest artists to ever walk this Earth: Mr. Michael Jackson. King of Pop. Entertainer extraordinaire. I'll admit, I wasn't Michael Jackson's number one fan, but I have enormous respect for him as an artist and as a human being. In spite of massive public criticism and personal drama, he pressed on, wholly devoted to his craft, his audience and his truth!
Even though Michael spent his entire life seeking out precisely what his truth was, no one can ever deny the presence of his dream of the world living harmoniously throughout his work. He sought to bring people together and did so with music and dance that was thought provoking, but fun and energetic. Watching the memorial coverage today, you'll see that he did just what he set out to do. People were coming together everywhere. All races, ages, demographics and cultures were represented. It truly was beautiful to see.
Michael also represented something more: dedication to improving his craft and learning all he could. A creative's learning never, ever ceases!
Many people I speak to say they feel as though mankind has reached the peak of its creativity, that everything's been done before. That statement infuriates me to a degree even I don't understand. The reason for that thinking is this: those blessed with the gift of creation have become so obsessed with being "the next big thing" that they've forgotten to create from a place of truth. Either that, or, those who begin their careers committed to telling the truth enjoy such success that it drowns out the voice that is sincere and honest.
I read and heard from many that there will never be another like Michael Jackson, and they are all absolutely correct! It is wrong for us to even expect that from anyone in this world, let alone go looking for it. Michael will continue to inspire generations of artists, but it is not possible for any of them to be Michael because they cannot be anyone else but themselves. I ardently believe that the man would be pleased to see that he inspired more people to dedicate themselves to be the best person they could be rather than trying to be just like him.
When the creative community learns to clear the dollar signs and diamonds out of their eyes, the world we'd be living in! Artists have been charged with a single task while they are on this Earth: to tell the truth with the gifts of expression they have been granted. We have the ability to being about change and healing to society in ways that no one else can.
Am I saying that it's wrong for us to desire tremendous success? Never! I know that I do. I am saying that it is wrong for us to get comfortable. We must continuously strive to learn more and be more in the next moment than we are in this one. When we do, the possibilities are limitless!
Get back to the basics Pholks! You are your own unique and valuable contribution to this world. The world needs you and your truth, not a carbon copy of those who've come before us. By moving forward, we honor their memory to a greater degree than dwelling in the past shall.
Please leave your thoughts/responses!
'Til next time!
Stay wonderful!
