werner herzog & a trick. . .

“quit your complaining. it’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy the films you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. nobody wants to hear it. steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.”

the book big magic is getting really really good. elizabeth wants to share a trick with everyone a few chapters in and that is to stop complaining. there are so many good reasons to stop complaining if you want to live a more creative life.

first of all, it’s annoying. it’s a dead and boring topic.
second, of course it’s difficult to create things. if it wasn’t difficult, everyone would be doing it and it wouldn’t be interesting or special.
third, nobody ever really listens to anybody elses complaints. we’re all too focused on our own struggle, so basically you’re just talking to a brick wall.
fourth, and most important, you’re scaring away inspiration. every time you express a complaint about how difficult and tiring it is to be creative, inspiration takes another step away from you, offended.

it’s almost like inspiration puts up its hands and says, “hey! sorry friend, i didn’t realize i was such a drag. i’ll take my business elsewhere”

someone once told elizabeth, “you claim that we can all be creative, but aren’t there huge differences between people’s inmate talents and abilities? sure, we can all make some kind of art, but only a few of us can be great, right?”

how can you tell the difference between high art and low art? how does anyone know? it’s all subjective. life is full of surprises and to judge anyones potential or to rule anybody out is not humbling.

let people have their opinions. let people be in love with their opinions, just as you and i are in love with ours. but don’t delude yourself into believing that you require someone else’s blessing or their comprehension in order to make your own creative work. essentially, just do your thing. . .