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| "Free-Falling Pelican" pencil drawing |
I enjoy watching American Idol. It’s fun to witness frightened, insecure wanna-be’s grow and develop before your eyes. It’s miraculous to see what happens when someone with potential is provided with money, opportunity, and support. Their skills increase. Their confidence blossoms. And they prove to themselves and others that they have what it takes to succeed.
In a recent competition, the contestant Hollie Cavanagh was advised that she “over thinks” her performances. She concentrates so much on the technicalities of singing, and in trying to implement what her coaches and teachers have taught her that she still hasn’t left her “comfort zone” after weeks of competing.
One of the coaches said to her: “Once you’re on that stage, you have to ‘let go.’ You have to free-fall.”
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| "Flying Your Way" Egret pencil drawing |
This is good advice for any artist or performer. Once you step on that stage, you must execute through feeling and intuition what your heart knows. Your hand, your voice, your instrument will automatically follow.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “It’s all about confidence; trusting and believing in your inner voice. I was hoping Tom Petty’s song “Free Falling” would illustrate this point, but it didn’t. In Petty’s song, he dumps a nice girl with good values and lives the wild life as he “free falls” to his destruction.
I prefer to link the “free falling” process to “soaring” beyond our limits. Free falling should elevate us beyond the rules, structure and dogma of what we’ve learned and take us to a higher plane. Free falling should be the consummate experience of opening our wings and letting the essence of the moment carry us to a higher place.
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| "Para sailing Roseate Spoonbill" Drawing |
“Free falling” is like flying. The hardest part is taking that first step. It truly is a spiritual experience similar to letting go of what you can see, touch and hold, to embrace the unseen, the invisible, the heart and soul. Free falling is akin to faith in a power greater than yourself; a faith that transcends time and space.
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| "Arabesque" 14x18 oil on canvas |
Once you experience this feeling you will never be the same again. It’s the “stuff” that makes performers stars, fine artists successful, and writers remembered. Free falling people create the unexpected, surpass expectations, and win the hearts and minds of their peers.
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| "Leap of Faith" 16x20 oil on canvas |
Achievement comes when your purpose is identified and your mind and heart work together toward fulfillment. If you’re holding back out of fear or insecurity, take that “leap of faith.” Free fall into the arms of God and fulfill your destiny.
Hi Carol, I remembered when we had team building there was a part there when you free fall on your back, the key is you should trust your teammate who will catch you.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I also watch American. Jessica Sanchez who is half Filipino is a relative.
Hi, Selbon. That is exciting to hear. We thought she looked Philipino (we have many friends who are), but the last name and her family threw us off. I think she will win
ReplyDeleteI participated in one of those "team building" activities and fell into the arms of my peers. Now that's a "leap of faith!" Thanks for sharing.
That's an excellent way to describe getting into 'flow', Carol - and you're right, once you've taken that leap of faith, you'll never want to go back to relying on your brain!
ReplyDeleteYes, Judy, as I wrote this blog I remembered your well-written one about"flow."
DeleteI must admit I still have to work at letting go. I'm analytical and have a tendency to analyze everything. Comes from having to proof read as a writer.