It’s 1.36 am. I lay sleepless staring into the dark and I have an epiphany. What is it that makes phenomenal writers, poets, musicians, artists, sports legends, creative workers and business magnates amazingly good at what they do? What makes them waltz through life with such ease? And why does success seem to come to them so easy, following them like shadows? Those in such categories, what makes them so successful at and fulfilled with what they do?

“I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I cannot transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn’t impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.” – Anais Nin

The truth; The TRUTH. The SPIRIT

“Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.” – Pablo Picasso

The epiphany? It occurred to me that it all boils down to this; The Truth. The Spirit. These people live their truth, the truest versions of themselves. The journey to achievement of such exceptional feats as the composition of an immaculate musical piece, creation of a world-famous painting or attaining the coveted Nobel prize is often treacherous and involves numerous setbacks and failures. Such remarkable achievements require one to embark on a serious soul-searching quest. A painstaking mission, to peer into one’s depths of the soul and mind, to have clarity as to what it is that you deeply desire to bring to life. The world is beautiful and this is the beautiful piece of music, of art that I feel will resonate with everyone.

Once set on their “truth”, these remarkable humans then put their blood, sweat and tears into it. They put their lives on the line in their grind and endeavor to breathe life into their burning desire. They face their fears and endure criticism. These people don’t give a fuck about anyone’s opinion, how they will be perceived if what they are building will be acceptable to the masses. They harness energy from deep within their subconscious, dive in, keep at it and build. At the very beginning, some of the music and art created is total bullshit and an eminent failure to some, but they perfect it. They don’t give up; they keep doing what they have to do.

This is where we meet the Truth. Here is the thing; their values are not compromised. To give out the best you have to be authentic; something you believe in, something that brings out the beauty of self and awakens the creative mind. Deciding to start a business that brings value and bring out the gifts and talents that you have will be successful as you tap into your passion. There is something inside you craving to be realized and expressed. Criticism and negativity are not factors that hold down these people. They believe in themselves. And what is that they believe in? The Spirit. The creative mind. That inner voice crying out “LET ME OUT!! I need to be seen; I need to express myself”

Fortunately, or unfortunately, The Spirit does not take shortcuts. IT will pester you. Torment you till your speech and vision align with IT. It is then, only then can we say that you are God-realized. When you have allowed your Higher Self within to fully express itself. Sadly, we hold back. We hold back despite having had a glimpse into what we need to express. A glimpse of what we need to build. A glimpse of that vision coming alive.

Spirit Communes with Spirits.

When your spirit speaks, millions of spirits hear its voice. Millions of other spirits await to resonate with your higher-self, engendered in your creative work. Spirit communes with spirits.

But you have to start somewhere. You have to banish fear and doubt. You have to take up a subtle “I don’t care” attitude so that The Spirit can express Itself freely without you getting in Its way. You have to question yourself. Who and what am I? What are my greatest values? What and how do I want to express myself? When? What support system do I need? Where can I find them?

What did I express as a child?

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso

All these will be depicted and expressed in your work. Any creative work you bring is worth it as it is a clear depiction of “The Spirit”. That which no man can see. The Spirit knows no bounds. No physical, economical, age, cultural or gender barriers. When it’s time to be god-realized, The Spirit will force Itself out. You will have to take courage. Hurl yourself into the abyss. Have faith that the dots will connect and that your stars will align.

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” – Steve Jobs

But if you wait in fear and doubt, waiting for the right moment or a change in circumstances, you will choke the creative self. You will always feel like there is something you need to do. You will always feel like something is missing in your life. Your spirit will haunt you for strangling it. Your spirit will torment you until your speech and vision are one.

Isn’t this why we see such people enjoying happier and fuller lives? Enjoying all the finer things in life? With freedom, that everyone craves so desperately deep down?

The ability to express what is in your mind is living a higher calling. That is where we should all pack and go to. A place where we can allow the spirit to express. If it is worthy and true, other “Spirits” will be thrilled through our work. Spirit will commune with spirits.

We stand in awe at music, art, painting or literature. We see, hear, taste, touch and feel. And through these senses, our spirits are touched by the creative expression of another spirit. We set sail into anger, bliss, tranquillity, ecstasy or even into love. At that very moment, your spirit is in communion with another spirit. That part in us that is touched is our spirit. At that moment my spirit is communicating with the other spirit. No wonder we spend millions to watch people express their spirit. In theaters, music concerts, sports, art galleries, fashion, and science exhibitions. We are paying dearly to see people in FLOW with the deepest part of their being. We are put into a trance by such encounters and moments of spiritual communion.

Why then is it that most of us prefer to be on the receiving end of such encounters? Why do we settle on being mere spectators? Fear! We have kept our spirits caged up not knowing that the only time the spirit truly comes alive is when it is on the giving end of other spirits. When it is revealed to other spirits in its entirety. We are simply not giving! Shouldn’t we make an effort at giving back? Shouldn’t we allow ourselves to make mistakes at expression? Expression is the ability to transform and bring out the beauty in our spirits. Expression is the language of the spirits. Spirits Commune with spirits through expression. Awaken that spirit and allow it to express itself and make this world a better place. The world is beautiful and this is the beautiful piece of music, of art that I feel will resonate with everyone.

“Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.” – Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park