Facing our fears

We may be only midway through October, but I know you have seen the signs. Forest of Fear in 3D! Don't get lost in the Enchanted MAiZE! I am noticing a theme. This month seems to bring most of us this feeling that if fear isn't finding us yet this season, we should go find it first! Initially I thought, "Fright? Fear? How could those be good?" Then I remembered the wisdom of ages:

"Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Danger? Hah! I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger." -- Young Simba

and finally, my favorite,

"You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life. " -- Salvador Dali

Ok, that last one may not connect with the theme as readily. I think that Dali meant that every time we take our ideas for granted, they become less meaningful to us. There is no creativity without a search for meaning. Thus, intentionally setting ourselves on the fearsome, bitter edge of "what could be" reminds us to keep searching. And to keep creating. To put it simply, I believe that the miracle of a new idea is born from a fear faced.

So what if a creative victory is followed by the fresh anxiety -- Will someone else appreciate this new thing I have made, what my creative drive has forged? Take this added discomfort as more fuel for your fire! I'm reminded of this line from Fiona Apple: "But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so he can't stop staying exactly the same." The song, "Extraordinary Machine," goes on to relate how this poor fellow's unwillingness to face fear head on drives away the possible object of his affection--a beautifully reckless female. Sorry to tell you that he ends up lonely and uncreative.

When we're in the nitty gritty of confusion, we may rally with others who have similar fears. (Being a klutz, I have always wished that there were a convention for creative goofy souls like me. Like "Welcome to the 5th Annual Jewelers Who Can't Stop Spilling the Beads Fest! We hope you brought your whisk broom!") Maybe that's why the fear season is also fair season. I'm betting that when St. Elmo's own artist market and holiday festival rolls around, a number one topic of conversation will be how as individuals, as crafters, and as a community we have freed our creativity and beaten the odds. We had challenges -- physical pain, lack of funds, too little time. We had trepidation that our ideas might not reach fruition. But in November we'll gather to proclaim in metal and fabric, paint and wax exactly how we have burst our bonds.

So I ask, are you a caged bird ready to beat a wing and sing? Are you setting your creativity free within our contradictory, confusing world? How will you embrace fear this October? As always, feel free to tell us about new ways you want to share your light by commenting here or by email!