Is Pursuing Your Creative Dream Selfish?

This tension is perhaps the greatest challenge for those with a creative “bug” that won’t go away.  We know we have some deep-seated vision living inside us.  It’s like an inner true north that is unsettled most the time, but especially when we are not doing something to bring our vision into reality.  But the scope and reach of the vision (its potential breadth) scares us and we doubt our capacity to bring it into existence.    

That reaction may be the very sign you have a real vision.  

The intensity is scary.  Too scary for most.  It’s much easier to believe our deep-seated vision is either unachievable or unsustainable.  That’s a coping mechanism.  And fortunately, perhaps, only a short-term one.  

A vision like that won’t go away.  

So then we go to another coping trick: we villianize the dream.  We justify it is not worth pursuing because pursuing it is fundamentally selfish.  It’s kind of a genius.  We alleviate the responsibility by calling the it selfish.  “This is only about ‘me’ pursuing ‘my’ dream.  Why do I deserve to do that?  Who do I think I am?”  

However real this dilemma may feel, especially for conscientious creatives, it is no sign to give up.  Again, it may actually prove you are dealing with a real vision here.  Accept the feelings.  Don’t judge them.  Welcome them.  But put them in their place.  It is simply fear.  We know it is fear because of how persistent and loud it is.  Fear is a powerful reasoner, so powerful it tends to push out everything else in our head.  It leaves no room for faith.  Or hope.  Or love.  

We know this journey is scary.  Admitting to yourself you care deeply and actually want this thing is step one.  Allow yourself to believe it, however unattainable it may seem.  Let that act of faith engage your imagination in ways you cannot yet, well…imagine!