Sunday's Quote

10/9/2011

The question isn't who's going to let me; it's who's going to stop me.
Ayn Rand
When I saw this quote I thought it was perfectly aligned to what I was reading in chapter seven of The Artist's Way. In this chapter on connection, the subject of perfectionism was touched upon. Cameron believes that as we struggle to be perfect we actually stop ourselves from moving forward. We keep trying to make things better and better and by doing this we become stuck. I had never thought of the pursuit of perfection in this way but it does make sense. So I am going to be careful to not let my desire for my writings, or my paintings, or my pictures to be so perfect that I stop myself from becoming the creative person I want to be. I am going to enjoy my work and share it with the world, imperfections and all. By doing this, I won't allow myself to become stuck but rather to grow, to learn, to move forward, and most of all to enjoy the act of creating beautiful and sometimes not so beautiful things. Won't you join me in what I consider to be a really wonderful way to look at and live my life? Being perfectly imperfect sounds exactly right to me. What could be better than that?

11 Comments

Camilla link

10/9/2011 02:02:15 am

The perfectionism stuff really resonated with me too. I'm still trying to absorb and process what I have learned about myself. Perfectionism is to seek the worst? Who knew?!

Glad you are still walking the path with me. Chapter 8 is up next!

Paula - Buenos Aires link

10/9/2011 02:05:03 am

Copying and pasting your quote to my opening page. :) Very powerful and in line with all that we are reading.

Ileana link

10/9/2011 02:23:19 am

Oh, I love this post! I can relate to it so well...and I have been sharing my imperfections with the world, so much so that I get established artists and collectors commenting on how much I've improved (and I see it myself). Of course, what I do won't please everyone but if it pleases me, helps me release what I have inside and allows me to grow, I'm doing it! Thanks for the motivational words! Best of luck to you, too. You are definitely on the right path!! Woo-hoo to Chapter 8...bring it on!! :)

Dave link

10/10/2011 06:24:40 am

I can relate to the perfectionist's dilemma, such a difficult thing to deal with. I loved this: "I am going to enjoy my work and share it with the world, imperfections and all."

Gina link

10/10/2011 10:18:32 am

Great post, Ginny! It's a very important point you're making here -- there is no real perfection, so why can't we accept ourselves (and others) just the way we/they are?

Lucy link

10/11/2011 12:07:59 am

Great quote. It really resonates with me.

Mare link

10/11/2011 01:14:01 am

Such a great quote! And I truly relate to this post. I hope one day to be able to enjoy being perfectly imperfect.

Julie Jordan Scott link

10/11/2011 02:00:34 am

Ohh, I love this quote. I am going to use it as a prompt later today, especially if I stumble into one of my "down" phases (as I have been doing way too much lately.)

I have worked The Artist Way many times (and Julia Cameron's later books)... there is always something good to be gleaned.

I am grateful to read your post today!
Thank you for commenting on my #CED2011 blogpost check in, also.

Sheila link

10/12/2011 06:56:33 am

As you wish for yourself, so I wish for you.

This seems to resonate with so many of us. I love and accept myself just as I am in this moment.

michky link

10/12/2011 11:11:32 am

absolutely!
we only have right now, right?

as you wish today, so i wish for you also

Julie link

10/13/2011 11:07:19 am

Beautiful post, very wise words.

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