Dare to Dream

Note: Michael Snyder is pressed against the deadline wall, so we at The Master's Artist are giving him grace (points in heaven!) and letting him have a few weeks off. That means you'll be hearing from me on my Thursdays and on his Thursdays which, as it turns out, adds up to all the Thursdays. Although I could indulge my personal interests and subject you to weekly updates on my granddaughter (she's still adorable), I thought it might be better to use Mike's Thursdays to spotlight various artists. Today's post is the first in that series. 

If you've ever attended a writer's conference or read books on craft, you know the importance of discovering your "voice." But no one can tell you exactly how to do it. They only say, once you've found it, you'll know. Fledgling writers hear this, then tiptoe trembling to the page, hoping that somehow they'll stumble on that magical combination of style, genre, plot, and panache, all while marching to the beat of a rigid band of rules.

It doesn't work. It can't, because voice isn't something manufactured. You're born with it. Yes, it should be honed and trained, but it thrives in the place of imagination--the uninhibited realm where children play and creativity blossoms. I'm sure the rule peddlers mean well, but you don't find your voice when you march to someone else's music. You find it when you match the music to the rhythm of your heart.

We all know it when we encounter an artist who's found her voice. She's escaped the cage and is free to fly. It's true with writing, painting, dance, and music. It's true with Priscilla Ahn.

Dream, by Priscilla Ahn

I was a little girl, alone in my little world,
who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees,
and fed my houseguests bark and leaves,
and laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest swing.
I had a dream.

Long walks in the dark
through woods grown behind the park,
I asked God who I'm supposed to be.
The stars smiled down on me,
God answered in silent reverie.
I said a prayer and fell asleep.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest tree.
I had a dream.

Now I'm old and feeling grey.
I don't know what's left to say
about this life I'm willing to leave.
I lived it full and I lived it well,
there's many tales I've lived to tell.
I'm ready now, I'm ready now,
I'm ready now to fly from the highest wing.

I had a dream

Her song + her voice = pure magic. Dear writer, there's many tales you've lived to tell. You don't have to tell them like anyone else. Your unique voice is your ticket to fly from the highest swing. Go ahead. I dare you.

I dare you to dream.

Jeanne Damoff is standing in for Mike Snyder today. She hopes you enjoyed this spotlight on Priscilla Ahn; however, be forewarned she still reserves her own Thursdays for self indulgence.

Comments

[Sherri Murphy]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Beautiful songs, and thoughts- from both of you.

[HisFireFly]

I'm dreaming and praying for the courage to dare.

This was beautiful.. thank you!

[Becky Ramsey]

Just lovely. And you're so right. We have to find our child heart within us and go with what feels absolutely true to each of us.
Thank you!

[ldamoff]

Every time i see that video i am amazed at how ridiculously talented she is.

love,
luke

[Kelly Langner Sauer]

i love this post. you are so right. i love it. thanks for today's inspiration.

[Jeanne Damoff]

Thanks for stopping by, Sherri, HisFireFly, Becky, Luke, and Kelly! I appreciate your kind words. Sweet dreams to each of you! :)

Love, Jeanne

[deb @ talk at the table]

Jeanne ~

I'm going to share this with my daughters, they will find it goosebump giving as much as I .

( and I'm so so thankful for the timeliness of your words. )