This is in response to the Daily Prompt, which is “Express Yourself: Do you love to dance, sing, write, sculpt, paint, or debate? What’s your favorite way to express yourself, creatively?“
“…to see oursels as ithers see us…” It has been nearly 230 years since The Greatest Scot expressed that haunting notion. In response to today’s Daily Prompt, I would submit that it does not matter what I think my most creative channels are; the trial is what others determine them to be.
I was once flabbergasted that my cousin bestowed an unexpected compliment upon me. In his wild, adventurous life, he once managed a popular nightclub. It was a perfect venue for the Rolling Stones tribute band that he also leads (guitar AND lyrics!). The club was so popular, that they often featured headliner bands on concert tours. When various members of such bands are ever ill or otherwise unavailable, every major city has a list of standby musicians. My cousin was fortunate enough to be on this list, in his city. He had the pleasure and honor of standing in with The Police when they were just starting out (“three really polite young men”), Badfinger and later Mike + The Mechanics, and several other bands.
We were playing around with his collection of guitars at his house one lazy July Saturday. Neighbors trickled over and made themselves comfortable for the impromptu concert. The finale was Abbey Road, start to finish. As the final note let her echo fade, my cousin turned and said: “You know I’ve played with a lot of musicians. You are the greatest guitarist I have ever known.”
I have not touched a guitar in over a decade. This was not where I perceived my own avenue of creativity, and I did not wish to pursue it to higher levels. I always imagined that I would be more successful as a cartoonist. But the panels I submitted to various magazines, the entire cartoon books I submitted to publishers, were consistently ignored. One hundred percent ignored.
I next imagined that I could be a more serious artist. I do have some skill, but I completely lack the patience to make everything “just right.” I am also unwilling to make to much of a mess creating the thing. I won’t mix every color. I want the product to be done “now;” and I want the cleanup that follows to be easy. Yeah, I’m not an artist…
I imagined that I could make things…a “maker,” I think they are called. But also see “want it done now” above, to see how that usually turns out. I am however absolutely great at painting little inch-tall plastic army men–a lifelong skill, if you were. Is there any demand for that in the world, do you suppose?
Some people say I have a way with…those things we say to each other… At any rate, I’m not so sure they are summoned as easily as those good people imagine, in my case.
I was once describing to my most trusted male friend (my wife being my most trusted friend) whatever creative outlet I decided throw myself into, for the rest of my life. He said that it–whatever “it” was, that week–was not what the world wanted from me. I leaned in, ready for the wisdom that would follow.
“What do they all want from me, exactly?” I asked, using those talking things and ready to hang on his every one also.
“We just want you to continue,” he said (and I pause to report, building the drama…), “to brainstorm.”
(I always have to remind myself that the word is not “barnstorm”… that I am not being asked to fly too close to a building in a biplane…)
“Guh?” I managed.
“You are invited to be on every committee, and in every meeting that happens around here,” he said, “because you create situations or solutions that no one else in the group thinks of. That is your gift, as far as the world is concerned.”
Interesting, much appreciated, and interesting…
Would anyone on this forum like to purchase a rather kick-ass set of carpentry tools?
I was just bragging about your skill on the guitar to another blogger last night. I haven’t answered this prompt because I feel much the same as you do on this topic. Some might say my talent is writing–though most of the time my short attention span makes me too distracted to do it to my full capability 100% of the time. I have a myriad of other things that I can do, but I’m no master at anything. Also, like you, I want fast results! I love you and I think you’re a stunning writer, as well as my personal stunner! ❤ xxoo
I love you.
And I don’t just “say that” to every first commenter!
Lol! ❤ You're cute!
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“To see oursels [sic] as ithers [sic] see us” drew me immediately in two ways…
1) Is that how it was actually spelled by The Greatest Scot?
2) That is very interesting, as today, I experienced a lot of self-doubt after a conference, and after chatting with people, they reassured me that, essentially, a person is their own harshest critic and others are more lenient and forgiving.
Hi Noah,
Thanks for your read of this! Re (1) I am not sure; the site on which I was reading this poem had it all spelled that way. Re (2) I agree with you completely–we are so often our own worst critics. It is almost as bad (on the other side of the spectrum) as being narcissistically delusional…
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A great read. I loved the way a flight into brainstorming ended the story metaphorically opening up possibilities!
So…you DO want to buy the woodworking tools?
Seriously though, thank you Lita, for reading so much into the piece!
Come to my business meetings 🙂
Tempting offer, Mimi–I am sure they are much more interesting than our own “Never Ending Story” staff meetings!
Thanks for your read!