How can I search for beauty and truth unless that beauty and truth are already known to me in the depth of my heart? It seems that all of us human beings have deep inner memories of the paradise that we have lost. ~ Henri Nouwen The gate does not willingly surrender.

“That is lovely, and I do appreciate it. But when it comes to creativity, comparison will not serve you well. It spawns competition, which can end in only pride or pessimism, both of which have no place in an artist’s world.”

My assumption is that the story of any one of us is in some measure the story of us all. ~ Frederick Buechner

“They shamed you. For being yourself.”

“So, you are a Storyteller? What is your story wanting to say?”

“I am thinking you are listening to the wrong people. A true community of artists will encourage you to pursue excellence, dig deeper. Not make you want to abandon your craft.”

live oak, the only evergreen oak species,

It takes a community, this creative life, this risk of rejection, disappointment, failure as we give of our time and our energy and our work in generosity, without demanding affirmation or reward. Believing that creativity is first and foremost a gift to be given, not a commodity to be traded.

“You find the idea of sacrifice repugnant, my dear?” Puccini isn’t letting me off the hook. “No, no, of course not. I understand it will take hard work, and time, and even the possibility of rejection.”