September 2020: Complete overwhelm and powerful hope
During their online workshop, ‘Identity and Purpose: Making a Credible and Compelling Case as an Independent Artist’, the award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity, Mortal Fools have helped me drill down into the specifics of why I do what I do as a musician, writer and artist, and why it should matter to people: “My wish is to enhance face-to-face communication, creativity and connection for the well-being of diverse communities in an age where all living beings are facing existential crisis.” Making decisions will be easier and I’m more excited about putting my plans into action now that I’ve got this mission statement down on paper. Consequently, I’m also attracting into my orbit people and organisations who share my goals, beliefs and values.
It’s important to me that I start earning money again as soon as possible, but in order for my work to continue to be meaningful, I have to be doing this in an environment that I’m happy in - and I couldn’t feel more disconnected living in post-Brexit and COVID-19 Britain! So I guess as well as trying to figure out what’s possible for me work-wise with a second wave of the pandemic on the way, I’m also contemplating a shift of lifestyle away from extreme capitalism. Add into the mix a flare-up of my ‘contamination’ OCD, it’s no wonder I’ve been suffering from complete overwhelm! Watching the UPLIFT TV film, ‘A Simpler Way’ and learning about the Simplicity Institute have given me enormous hope in that their practices are in total alignment with my heart’s desires and I’m keen to find out more. Check out the Global Ecovillage Network’s video below about the NI Ecovillage in Bangalore, India for more of an idea about what a simpler, more Planet Earth-friendly lifestyle entails.
I’ve not really known how to love myself through all of this inner and outer turmoil and confusion, but asking myself the question, “Would I talk to my best friend in the way that I talk to myself?” has quietened my inner critics. Having had access to the following online courses on which to meet like-minded artists, has really helped too: A ‘Launchpad’ session on the subject of motivation with Guildhall Coaching Associates, Craft Council UK’s ‘Meet the Maker: Get your Work Noticed - Top Tips for Good Photography’; a participatory arts meeting with the ArtWorks Alliance, the Federation of Entertainment Union’s ‘Crowdfunding for Creatives’ and ‘Write That Book And Get It Published’.
FROM NOW ON I PLEDGE TO FOCUS ON LIVING A PEACEFUL, LOVING, RICH LIFE, RATHER THAN ON THE CHAOS.