As part of World Book Night, I had the opportunity to celebrate the life of Maya Angelou through her book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". Unlike you, I had the opportunity to read this book in school, but was grateful and excited that it was being promoted for this monumental event.
World Book Night gave me the opportunity as a selected participant to give away 20 books to promote literacy and the printed word. I would be part of thousands who would distribute books in their community and it felt great. I was able to share and facilitate the book giveaway at the RailRoad Book Depot in Pittsburg, California. As part of the event, we watched an interview with Maya Angelou and she shared so many pearls of wisdom.
Yet, one thing she shared stood out to me and I wrestled with it all night. She said that she never wanted to create masterpieces so that they would get dusty on the shelf. I've read everything that she has written and I can't imagine purchasing her work and never reading it. Even in her books that are not about poetry, she paints every sentence with colorful descriptions to the point that you see her thoughts in your own mind. It has challenged me in my own writing and I'm grateful.
Yet, the word masterpiece is so strong as it relates to this challenge. Did you know that a masterpiece is considered to be an exceptionally creative piece of work that is your best? As I thought about all of the things in my life that I believed to be exceptional and creative, I also considered their current placement. Where were they and how were they being used? Could I blow dust off them or were they in the attics of my mind waiting for an eventual garage sale? If they were so great, how come they were dusty?
And then the big C-word came to mind - C-O-M-P-R-O-M-I-S-E! The reason that they were put on a shelf is because I had compromised them away. Whether I had acted on them or not pursued them to the end, the very idea that I did not see my masterpiece ideas and visions to the end spelled out compromise. And I challenge you on this day. Look back in the libraries of your own mind and write out a list of things that you have placed on hold. Even if you don't have a finished product in hand, compromise is lingering if your masterpieces are dusty!
And just because the idea didn't work with a particular person or even in a particular city, does not mean that the masterpiece is not worthy. Do not....again...do not tie a God given vision to a person and limit it to the confines of what the world offers. Wow! This is good to me! Be oh so encouraged today in getting your lists together. We are going to see this thing to the end as a group! I'll be back tomorrow to discuss what to do with a masterpiece list!
Be blessed!
Gina
Recent Comments