Night Paddle

There is vitality, a life force, a quickening

That is translated through you into action,

And because there is only one of you in all time,

This expression is unique.  

And if you block it,

It will never exist through any other medium

And be lost.

The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is;

Nor how valuable it is;

nor how it compares with other expressions.

It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,

To keep the channel open.  

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.

You have to keep open and aware directly

To the urges that motivate you.  

Keep the channel open,

No artist is ever pleased

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.

There is only a queer, divine satisfaction,

A blessed unrest that keeps us marching

And makes us more alive than the others.

 ---Martha Graham.

Thanks to Larry H for sharing the long version of this great piece by Martha Graham. I've taken inspiration from her words for a number of years (hush now, inner critic) and love the connection between Graham's demand that we do what we are called to do  and Paul Hawken (green entrepreneur and activist) who  catalogues the efforts of millions of people working for social justice and ecological sustainability around the globe his NY Times best seller titled Blessed Unrest, What makes you more alive than the others? Could this be bliss?