I confessed that I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be.
Martha said to me, very quietly: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. As for you, Agnes, you have so far used about one-third of your talent.”
“But,” I said, “when I see my work I take for granted what other people value in it. I see only its ineptitude, inorganic flaws, and crudities. I am not pleased or satisfied.”
“No artist is pleased.”
“But then there is no satisfaction?”
“No satisfaction whatever at any time,” she cried out passionately. “There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
~ Agnes de Mille, The Life and Work of Martha Graham
Credits: Quote Source: Brainpickings. Image: Your Eyes Blaze Out
never let it rest..till your good is better and better best…after which..start it all over again.
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive
Love this. Funnily enough, I was just listening to an interview with Sara Bareilles yesterday and she cited this very passage as an inspiration to make big changes in her life. http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/10/05/sara-bareilles-probably-still-wont-write-you-a-love-song
Thanks for sharing Lori. I’m a Sara Bareilles fan. I’ll be listening to this…
And there are no coincidences, right?
blessed unrest. and never a full acceptance of our worth. until we do. if we do.
You nailed it Beth. Right there.
Great wisdom in this piece. “It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions.” I find that part hard to do!!
So hard!
a struggle. But, I keep returning to the philosophy of wabi sabi: art that is Imperfect, Impermanent and Unfinished. These very things are Attributes! I like that.
Ahhh, I like this: Imperfect, Impermanent and Unfinished. LOVE THIS. Thanks for sharing Debi.
Somewhere, at some time, we will turn off that urge for excellence in all things. Not just yet. And that’s ok with me.
I’m not ready yet Van. So not yet….
There is no “edge” in perfection. You’d have nothing to write about. Edgy is much sharper and interesting.
So true!
Keep the channel open DK!
… and hope that divine satisfaction comes before the end. After all the whole story hasn’t been written yet.
Door wide open Val!
Keep the channel open without judgment, yes, but there is pleasure and satisfaction. I’m glad I tickle and delight myself with my creations. Anything else seems like posturing.
And “this”, your authenticity overflows beautifully.
I’m a veritable font.
You are all that and more
Very interesting, image….Reading this caused a ponder, brought forth an appreciate & prompted me to write an email to my husband thanking him for doing his best, he is motivated by love. He is a jewel….and besides Loving Him, I Value Him & Hope I Honor Him….as i have Faith in Him…it is important to encourage and value others…and to let them know by words and action, that they make a difference…I know he faces, inner struggles and with the “channel open”…he keeps flowing forward.
Yes. We all face one struggle or another….best of luck with his flows…
One who seeks perfection will likely not know satisfaction. And that’s O.K.
-Alan
It is Alan