Quote of the Day: The Year of Creativity

 

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” – Michelangelo

The year 2021 has been filled with disappointments, disasters, and death. We’ve seen confusion and fear escalate over the coronavirus, lies and distortions continue from the powers-that-be, and it’s hard to fight a sense of helplessness as we approach the new year. Each of us, in our own way, however, has a way to fight through the passivity and the frustration that has dominated our country. We must face government ineptness and the indifference to the struggles of our citizens. We have to remember that as the most creative beings on the face of the earth, we have the ability to transcend our problems and breakthrough our perceived boundaries.

We may not see ourselves as great artists, but we have the potential, each in our own way, to “see the angel in the marble” and release ideas that will free us from those who want to imprison us with their malignant ideas. We can create beauty, possibility, and we must fight the doldrums that are tempting us to just give up and give in.

Many years ago, I made a habit of telling people I wasn’t creative. I wasn’t an artist in the traditional sense of the word, nor did I see myself as the source of original ideas. Finally, one day, someone challenged me: of course, I was creative! Human beings are meant to be creative! I decided to take that person seriously. Bit by bit, day by day, I tested my creative juices. I tried not to denigrate my efforts, nor exaggerate my successes. Today I am humbled and gratified to say that I am a creative person. There are many, many people more creative than I am, but I strive to use the skills and talents I have to make a contribution in whatever I do.

Every day provides a seedling of hope, an opportunity to unleash the power and creativity behind my commitment to life and to freedom.

We must persist. Let’s make 2022 a new beginning, a restoration of hope and liberty, a year of creativity.

Published in Group Writing
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There are 11 comments.

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  1. Caryn Thatcher
    Caryn
    @Caryn

    Lovely.  Thank you, Susan.  

    • #1
  2. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Years ago, when I was building restaurants, I built one in St. Louis.  I was standing in the mall looking at the storefront, when a passerby asked how we were going to do something (I think it was a decision about a paint color.  I said that they let me make decisions about a lot of things, but none about aesthetics.  Wisely, too.

    • #2
  3. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    We can still be creative within certain limits!

    • #3
  4. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    We can still be creative within certain limits!

    Lol.  My wife would be flayed before letting me choose a paint color.

    • #4
  5. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    We can still be creative within certain limits!

    Lol. My wife would be flayed before letting me choose a paint color.

    Reminds me of our remodeling jobs.  My wife would hand me a couple of paint samples to look at.  She always chose the one I didn’t select . . .

    • #5
  6. She Member
    She
    @She

    A lovely and inspiring quote, with a post of the same to follow!

    ***

    This is the Quote of the Day. January’s sign-up sheet is here.  Please sign up today!

    If you’re new at this game, it’s a easy way to get your feet wet and start a conversation; if you’re an old-timer, you already know the ropes.  Either way, we’re looking forward to your post.

    Another ongoing project to encourage new voices is our Group Writing Project. December’s theme is “Winter Lights and Dark Winter Nights.”  If you’d like to weigh in, please sign up for Group Writing too!

    • #6
  7. Rōnin Coolidge
    Rōnin
    @Ronin

    Working it @susanquinn, already working on it.  You stay well ya hear.

    • #7
  8. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Thank you Susan. The negativity was starting to get to me. I was tempted to take a break from news and opinion, as I sometimes do, and that would include Ricochet. Even conservative opinion if it’s a drumbeat of negativity gets to be a downer. Your quote with the image of what I think is my favorite piece of sculpture gave me something positive to contemplate. 

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Rōnin (View Comment):

    Working it @ susanquinn, already working on it. You stay well ya hear.

    Good for you, Ronin. You stay well, too, ya hear!

    • #9
  10. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Manny (View Comment):

    Thank you Susan. The negativity was starting to get to me. I was tempted to take a break from news and opinion, as I sometimes do, and that would include Ricochet. Even conservative opinion if it’s a drumbeat of negativity gets to be a downer. Your quote with the image of what I think is my favorite piece of sculpture gave me something positive to contemplate.

    I’m so glad to hear your reaction, Manny. It seems like I have to fight the darkness regularly; my friends here help me find the light. Happy New Year!

    • #10
  11. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Thank you Susan. The negativity was starting to get to me. I was tempted to take a break from news and opinion, as I sometimes do, and that would include Ricochet. Even conservative opinion if it’s a drumbeat of negativity gets to be a downer. Your quote with the image of what I think is my favorite piece of sculpture gave me something positive to contemplate.

    I’m so glad to hear your reaction, Manny. It seems like I have to fight the darkness regularly; my friends here help me find the light. Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year tp you as well Susan.  G-d bless in the upcoming year.

    • #11
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