The Dancing Guy Stands For All That We Do
Filed Under: My Writing, Writing Process, creativity
There’s a video making the rounds. It’s not shot very well, and it might even make you a little motion sick, but if you can make it through it, I think it’s really worth it. Try to get at least halfway through. Here’s the video. More after you watch it.
Here’s my experience of watching this in a nut shell:
For me at least, the guy looked like a fool! What a crazy way of dancing, and dancing all by yourself like that? How embarassing! I could never do tha–oh wow, someone joined in. Hey, here comes another. Holy Shit.
I felt a shiver run down my spine when I realized what I was watching. Then I started to grin. And I’m still grinning about it. This is one of the more uplifting things I have seen in a long time. I’ve been pondering why that is.
It feels like a metaphor for every creative endeavour. Writing especially, or blogging. You’re on your own at first. Dancing all by yourself in front of an indifferent crowd. It’s harder than hell to get over the feeling that what you’re doing could be just a little ridiculous. You keep doing it though, because it feels good.
Then someone starts paying attention. Your friends, maybe. Then their friends. You accrete fans, or followers, or readers, whatever. The next thing you know, you’ve started that. It’s a brave damned thing to do, and it’s never struck me until watching this just now.
I hope this motivates you like it has me. Keep dancing. Just keep dancing, no matter what.
Expedition Update
Wow, I have some amazing friends. We’ve raised $160 towards my photographic expedition to Yellowstone. Proving that I am the AntiChrist or something, I now only need to raise $666. Please consider throwing a few bucks in the pot. The pictures are SO going to be worth it.
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