In a previous post, I wrote about how creating something tiny, like a drawing for instance, can show us just how distracted we are. By creating something tiny, we build focus. We might even achieve flow state.
Creating something large and majestic, on the other hand, can show us something different. Creating a larger piece of art does something more than build focus. It shows us our level of inner maturity.
When we create something like, say, a novel, a music album, or a mural, we quickly realise that we are our own worst enemy. Bringing the artwork into existence is entirely up to us. There’s no one to blame if things don’t progress.
Finishing something like a novel takes weeks, months, and sometimes years. This requires consistent work over a long period of time. This consistency takes internal fortitude. We might quickly realise that we are not as focused as we would like to be. It might become clear that we have a lot of internal resistance to doing the work. We might end up avoiding the work altogether. We might eventually realise that, yes, we are our own worst enemies.
Observe that even seasoned writers can fall into this trap—some epic fantasies remain unfinished. This is not so much a judgement. It’s a compassionate nod that says, I get it. But we need not hang our heads in defeat. We can reclaim our focus and set aside an hour or two each day to create something great. We can build inner fortitude and maturity.