Purposes

Many of us are quite expert at being critical.  We can pick apart the “system” with great precision.  We see the glaring holes.  That’s good. We can quickly spot the inconsistencies.  The illusions.  Also good.  Real good.  But it’s easy to stop there.  To only see what is wrong. That’s not good.

At some point comes the burden to prove otherwise, to provide a better alternative.

Here we must do the hard (and creative) work of providing a solution, or at least cultivating the right questions (that will hopefully lead to a better approach).  To be, as it were, “part of the cure,” not “part of the disease.”   Think about it: if every critic were required to create something original (especially in the genre they are known to critique), could they actually produce anything worthwhile?

That simple turning of the tables can help us frame the purpose of critique.

The useful critique actually can provide a helpful, even necessary function (in citing weakness, miscues, inconsistencies, etc.).  It actually helps the creative get better.  That is part of a healthy system. They key is how we criticize, and if we can focus the function to be helpful (constructive) to creating better, and more.

For a simple example think of Thomas Edison. He was certainly very “critical” of his own mistakes, but only in order to learn from them.  Not to be shamed by them.

We live in what is becoming a shaming culture.  One that celebrates defeats.  Cannibalizes mistakes.  Looks for people to fail.  It’s a system that rewards the safe (of one side or another), the system followers.  The world loves its own.  System followers who love to hate anyone outside the system.  Palatably.

But we are much more than that.  We are individuals.  And our individuality is powerful.  Perhaps our greatest gift.  It is not hubris.  Or arrogance.  It is simply recognizing our unique design, indeed the intentionality behind our createdness.

Any system that does not allow us to recognize ourselves in this way is a system of death.

It is a form of coercion to a particular (finite) vision of success.  That is not our call.  Such a closed system is not worthy of the redeemed, who know this sense of created-ness actually creates in us the desire to create.   

Now a flood of pragmatic excuses will start to flood your brain: “What about this?  How will I be able to do that?”  Pursuing your creative work involves great risk.  And, at times, it is in tension with that desire to be seen as honorable or reasonable within a given system.

This can often be alien to a healthy version of success, and can severely get in the way of it.

We can only do so much.  Trying to fit into another system’s version of success, to remain “honorable” there (sacrificing to stay there will get more applause initially), will force us to wrestle with who we are called to be.  We can not do everything. Sacrifice is good, but certainly NOT at the sacrifice of your soul.

Losing your soul is never an option, but always a possibility.  That’s why this is so urgent.  We have such precious little time here on earth.  We must make pursuing our createdness, our unique given way to co-create a solution, the highest goal, trusting all else to fall into place as it will.

We have time for one pursuit.  Choose wisely.