They say write what you know.
Or don’t wait for it to be perfect just get started.
Or great is the enemy of the good.
I’ve been waiting for manymanymonthsnow to get started because I didn’t have the photos uploaded, or the social media organized, or the email newsletter locked in or didn’t know what to say.
But I know I want to write again. I know that writing helps me clarify my thoughts and discover what there is to say.
I watched a video about the ceramic sculptor, Tip Toland. She creates these sculpture of humans, mostly naked, realistic. What we might call “imperfect”…so human they are disturbing.
Why?
Because we aren’t used to seeing such vulnerability and humanity on display.
In today’s filtered, online, curated presence, it seems that raw nakedness is unorthodox and inspiring.
In addition to their lifelikeness, Toland’s sculptures put the viewer on edge.
We’ve become professional mask-wearing, personas, highlighting what we deem the best, hiding the rest.
Are any of us real anymore? We display a self on social media, to our family and friends, to our co-workers, peers, and acquaintances. If we can sufficiently quiet the distractions and demands of the exterior life, can we hear the call of the real self? Can we bear the sound of our souls? Can we bare them?
Toland’s sculptures strive to show an honest look at what it is to be human. The statues are edgy in that viewing them puts us on edge, makes us feel tense, or nervous. They are bold and provocative, challenging us – no, begging us – to look, and by looking to become vulnerable to the experience of being. Here are wrinkles, fat folds, imperfect teeth, genitalia, postures deemed “improper”. Here are tantrums and jesters. Here is pain, concern, confusion, and glee. Here are signs of bright souls radiating from the figures.
Here is humanity. Here are children of the earth.
Toland summons us to lean into the difficult, grabbing us and holding us, letting us in, inviting us to see more. Through the experience of her models, she urges us to be vulnerable. To feel as her figures feel. To imagine us in them.
Some days we awake to life, to its beauty and joy. Other days, we are overwhelmed with it all. On that we can depend.
Can we bare the truth of the human experience? Can we be vulnerable as Toland’s forms?
Her sculptures inspired me to start again.
During this month of November, usually National Novel Writing Month, I’m going to write on the blog (and post on my social media) every day. Something small, something large, but something, to get back in the habit.
But not to chase perfection, but to bare the truth of my human experience. It can be so lonely and so fake.
I want to, as Tip Toland says in her video, “Be the paintbrush in Your hand”.
Seasons of Joy has simmered in my mind for a few years now. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but maybe I do.
It’s the act of reflecting, during each season of our life and of the year, to discover and express joy. I’m going to find it here.
May we all remember that we have something to say or create. That creation can heal or help. We must first be aware and then express, in raw nakedness, without fear of perfection.
I’m looking for non-Pinterest-worthy moments. The Be Real moments, and to express the joy within them.
May we discover Seasons of Joy together.