Day 149 of the 365 Days of Blogging

The author, Dane F. Baylis

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

1. I am a believer in the never ending process of learning. In that cause I would like to put out an invitation to poets living in the Ventura, California area. Wednesday nights, for the next four weeks, at 7 PM in Ventura at the Vita Art Center, 432 North Ventura Avenue, there will be an ongoing poetry workshop. This is a great opportunity to sharpen your craft and gather with other writers in the pursuit of excellence.

 

MOOOOO!!!!

or

The Break Out Concept and Why It Counts!

 

I was casting about for a topic for tonight (No I don't make all this up on the fly. Great artists are also great thieves!), and I ran across an article over on, The Big Think, entitled, STOP BEING ORDINARY - CHOOSE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY. Well, Shazam! I spend a lot of time pointing out the deadening sameness of so much being done in the literary and other arts today, that this was like a gift. (Sorry guys, deities are not copping credit for this, I stumbled over the piece in a moment of good fortune.)

 

One of the things the author points out in the article is how we sabotage our own uniqueness by denying our ability to do something inspired and insightful. It's the old, "I could never do that!" This is usually the reaction to viewing something that does represent a real stride forward and being overcome with our own thoughts of inadequacy in the face of the sublime. But did this person just undergo an epiphany that took control of their creativity and, like a case of movie possession, they entered into a trance and, through automatic writing, produced something stunning and new? Or, is the product the culmination of innumerable small steps forward?

 

I would bet you dollars to donuts it's the second case. That is the key to becoming extraordinary, to breaking free from the herd and becoming a singular talent and voice in a world drowning in copycats. It isn't a matter of finding a 'guru' who can impart the secrets of the universe to you, it is simply deciding on some simple first step that points in the general direction you wish to go. Notice I didn't say to aim for a distant point. Your journey will effect your course to your final destination and may alter it all together. But it will be YOUR journey, not the endless migration of the mob. Of course, this presupposes that you can withstand the pressure to conform or, worse yet, the recognition that so many acquaintances and clones will fall by the way. But, which is more fulfilling, walking along in lock step staring at the Gnu butt in front of you, or getting into the free air where you can see the horizon you want to explore?

 

If you're interested in reading more on becoming extraordinary, the article can be found by clicking STOP BEING ORDINARY. As with any adventure, the beginning can be the scariest part, but as the old adage says, "What have you to lose other than your chains?"

 

 

Meanwhile...live, love, write.

 

 

Want to follow or subscribe to this blog? There are gadgets for that on the right side of the page. You can leave comments in the form below. I can be reached directly at dbaylis805@gmail.com . You can also find links to some of the sites I visit from time to time on the right. I'm also looking for submissions to the Your Work/Your Love page. Authors retain all rights.

 

 

Tomorrow,

 

Dane F. Baylis

Author.