Edgar Degas

"I frequently lock myself in my studio.  I do not often see the people I love, and in the end I shall suffer for it . . . painting is one's private life."

— Edgar Degas

French Artist

1834 - 1917

Sometimes we sacrifice our relationships because of our commitment to our creative work.  We ignore the people we love because of the creative work we must do.  The challenge is to find a balance between the work and the people.  We need the people to hold us to this earth so we don't disappear into thin air — so we don't drop off the deep end.  So if you have been ignoring those you love, go give them a hug and a spend a few minutes with them.

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Margaret Thatcher

"Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction."

— Margaret Thatcher

British Prime Minister

1925 -

Self-discipline is the key to success in anything one attempts.  As creative leaders we need to nurture and practice self-discipline.  Self-discipline requires sacrifice in the short-term in order to achieve long-term goals.  Yet many do not have the patience to wait.  They want it all and they want it now.

I watched the movie, The Iron Lady, about the life of Margaret Thatcher this past weekend.  Whether or not you are a fan of Thatcher and her politics, this is a movie that you need to see.  It tells the story of Thatcher's rise to power from a grocer's daughter to a powerful world leader.  She lived a life of self-discipline and personal sacrifice that allowed her to accomplish many things on the world stage.

Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar for best actress in this movie, does a fantastic job in playing Margaret Thatcher.  Thatcher like President Reagan before her suffers  from dementia.  The story is told through flashbacks between present day and the past.  Watch the movie trailer.

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Marian Wright Edelman

"Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others."

— Marian Wright Edelman

American Author

and Child's Rights Activist

1939 -

Our world today is filled with man-made noise that drowns out many of sounds that can be heard in nature as well as the voice with in in our hearts.  Many of us cannot go anywhere without our I-Pods, I-Pads and I-phones or their equivalents.  We cannot live without filling our ears with sound.

As writers, musicians and artists we must learn to be quiet.  We must have the self-discipline to shut out the noise from the outside world and learn to listen to the small voice deep inside.  If we learn to hear that small gentle voice, then maybe we will one day be able to hear that voice in others.  We will be able to connect with others through the sounds of our voices.

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Robert Browning

"A moment's success pays for the failure of years."

— Robert Browning

English Poet

1812 - 1889

Success is short-lived and fleeting.  Success rarely makes you a better person.  The demons that haunted you when you were a failure still haunt you when you are a success.  In fact, success often makes the demons worse.  Success has even destroyed some creative leaders.  Yet, ask any writer, singer, actor or artist if those years of failure, hardship and poverty were worth that moment of success, and most will say yes.



Here is a poem by Robert Browning about two lovers sneaking out to meet each other late at night.



Meeting at Night


The gray sea and the long black land;

And the yellow half-moon large and low:

And the startled little waves that leap

In fiery ringlets from their sleep,

As I gain the cove with pushing prow,

And quench its speed i’ the slushy sand.


Then a mile of warm sea-scented beach;

Three fields to cross till a farm appears;

A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch

And blue spurt of a lighted match,

And a voice less loud, through joys and fears,

Than the two hearts beating each to each!

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Ernest Hemingway

"The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity to sacrifice.  Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed."

— Ernest Hemingway

American Novelist

1899 - 1961

As writers, artists and creative leaders we often are vulnerable to the hostile, negative behavior of people who do not understand us and what we represent.  These negative people can be our friends and family initially and the wider world eventually as our creative ideas and works try to find their place in that world.  We need to remain strong and courageous in the face of negative attacks.

As creative leaders we often sacrifice much to achieve our dreams.  We become so focused on and obsessed with our work that we ignore family and friends.  We miss out on the joys of life.  We may forget to take care of our health.  We drink and/or take drugs to kill the demons chasing us.  We suffer ridicule at the hands of those who don't understand us and what we do.

People may hate us when we tell the truth.  Often people are not ready for the truth we have to speak.  They may criticize and condemn us.  They may laugh at us.  We must find the discipline and the courage to speak the truth anyway — to open up and share our thoughts and feelings, to share the beauty we see.

Hemingway At Work

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Alice Neel

"I thought you had to give up a lot for art, and you did.  It required complete concentration.  It also required that whatever money you had had to be put into art materials."

— Alice Neel

American Artist

1900 - 1984

The Spanish Family (1943)

What have you had to give up in order to be able to paint, or write or play music?  Our muses can be demanding — asking us to give up relationships, friendships and even family.  And sometimes our muses will drain our spirit and leave us battered and lifeless.  Art requires the artist to be faithful and loyal.   Art demands that we work hard, often with little or no respect, money or fame.  We labor on day and night hoping that one day someone will discover us.  Sometimes we hurt those we love.  We sacrifice our family on the altar of creativity.  And for what?  The hope that maybe one day someone will notice.  It takes a lot of courage to be an artist.  To be willing to sacrifice so much.  For some of us, we sacrifice our sanity or even our lives.  

And yet, I think there is another way.  We can find balance in our lives.  We don't have to sacrifice everything.  We can maintain our sanity without falling off the cliff.  Don't let the creative impulse destroy you.  Be strong.  Find a way to balance the wild and crazy spirit with the routines of daily living.  Maybe you can knit, take up yoga, play golf or simply take a walk.  Embrace the whole you, not just the creative side.  Anything taken to the extreme is destructive.

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