Be Yourself and Disturb the Universe

June: On Conflict and CourageGoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund:https://gofund.me/3682c6720June 18Those tiny voices ceaselessly chatter in the back of your mind: Can’t believe he thinks this is any good. He spent how much time on this? Hope he doesn’t quit his day job . . . They leave the door wide open for those second guesses to come rushing in. Is my hair thinning? These wrinkles have gotten so deep. Am I wasting my time? Am I a fraud? Maybe I should just hang it up and not even bother.They seem damn real, don’t they? When they’re there echoing off the walls of your mind. But they’re not. They’re fabrications—they are the frauds born of insecurities and imposter syndrome and you have no business spending time with them or giving them a thought. And in the chance that one or two of those voices or comments are real or become real—who cares? It’s so easy to criticize, isn’t it? Think of all the opinions and critiques you carry. But it takes courage—real courage—to go into a room when you’re feeling anxious or afraid. To put a personal, creative piece out there into the world.It’s easier said than done—but build up your strength and courage to shut those voices out. Know that there is only one you. And that the world is a better place for your being here. Know that the thoughts and opinions of others—whether about you as a person or something you’ve created—can only harm you if you allow them to. Do things your way—don’t listen to everyone else out there—all the rules and opinions. They’ll back you into a corner, keep you home, lock you into a sort of creative paralysis.Dare to be yourself.Dare to create. Dare to disturb the universe. Reflection title: Be Yourself and Disturb the UniverseCreative inspiration: T. S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”Reflection Question: Am I allowing my perception of what others think about me or my work control me? In what way will I dare to disturb the universe next?