Creativity takes courage

As I logged in to Typepad tonight to show you some new work I've done, I saw a 'recommended' blog to look at. It was called 'Creativity takes courage'.

I didn't look at it, but the words briefly caught my attention and stayed with me.

Three little words that mean so much to me in the job I do, and the way I show myself to the world.

Every day that I write here, I put myself out there.... ready for anyone who happens to come across my blog to judge me. Criticise my work, my writing, myself. Or not.

And I realised that yes, my scrapbooking, cake making, writing does that each and everytime I write another post.

Most days I'm ok with that. I can handle it. I'm a 'big girl'. But other days the comments, snide remarks and criticism gets to me. It hurts. Hey, I'm human too. And too frequently the people that make the comments that hurt, are people that have either never been here before, or don't know me. Or worse still, they do and they make them anyway. And I wonder what made them think that way? In what way could I have been misconstrued? I wonder if they took the time to look at my blog and read what I'm up to, would they still think that?

And to be honest, the answer is often yes.

Because at the end of the day, I'm just a scrapbooker, Mum, woman, friend, that is trying to get through the day just like everyone else.

The scrapbooking I share is always personal and opens me to criticism. The joy I get from making a cake could be misunderstood as bragging. The excitement I find in getting a success with my kids could be seen as competition with other parents. I mean where does it stop?

For me, right here. My blog is a little insight into myself. It doesn't show the whole of me, not even a little bit. There just isn't enough room, or words, and the words that I use will be perceived differently by everyone who reads them.

So being here is a little part of my courage showing through. Sharing my thoughts, my scrapbooking, my baking, my little bits of crazy, sometimes takes a thick skin, which unfortunately I don't have.

If you are creative, take courage in what you do because at the end of the day, it is for you. It is not to be judged by anyone else. It is a little bit of who you are being shared with the people around you. And that is all. For someone to judge or criticise just doesn't come into it.

So I wish for you, and me, enough courage to keep blogging. To keep creating. To keep baking. To keep bringing up your kids in the way you see fit. To email that person with a note of encouragement. To paint. To run. To do whatever it is that you do. To just be you.

Comments

[Debbie]

Wonderfully put

[Topkatnz]

(((Hugs)))well said.

[Vicki Parker]

Couldn't agree more. :)

[Hannah]

Good post - I agree with it all! I had some nasty comments recently and it did upset me, but I have realised that I don't want to stop blogging. I won't let the hater beat me!

[Michelle Grant]

Totally agree too! Here Here! xx

[Danielle]

Hmmm, well said!! And by writing that post, you are doing exactly that! Being you. Don't stop.

[Celeste]

Keep right on doing what you've been doing,can't please everyone.

[Trace]

When the one's who knock get you down, think of all the people who do write positivly...and keep those ones close to your heart.

[maggie armstrong]

Hi Trina. Please keep blogging, its cool to read about chicken adventures, the amazing cakes you make and your talented scrapping. Bugger the knockers, andrremember tall poppy syndrome is alive and well in this little county of ours! Xx

[Sharon]

You are one of the most creatively courageous people I know.....keep up the great work.

[mandyb]

man!!!!!!
why do woman need to criticize others!!!
un-beeping-beliveable!!!

TRINA we love you
your work
all you create
your chicken stories
and all those yummo cakes
we celebrate your achievements
and those of your kids
this is YOUR blog
you do WHAT YOU WANT
we love you
so share what you like
we love it all
the end
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
arohanui

[Sally]

I read a quote recently which essentially said that people who are negative and criticise etc are really just speaking out of their stuff/ baggage and it has very little to do with what they are commenting on/ complaining about.

[Judy]

Be assured we love reading about you and your family and all the day to day happenings. We are able to share your fun times and also feel for you in the not so flash times-that's what life should be about, caring and sharing.

[Sam]

Don't stop blogging as many of us enjoy your daily tales and all the inspiration.

[Lynda Geary]

Hi Keep creating and anyone who has time to criticise others obviously needs to get a LIFE.

[Pauline Parker]

Please don't stop blogging or doing anything in your daily life just because of the negative people out there. My Mum always told us "if they are knocking, picking on you, or talking about you they are leaving someone else alone" Think of that often in this craft of ours..Do what you do well, comunicate with those of us who want to hear your wonderful family stories. Keep postivie people/words close and bin the negative ones. Kia Kaha

[Dianne]

Great post Trina and I agree "Creativity takes Courage". I love reading your family stories and seeing your creativity, both scrapbooking, cakes, thoughts and the Sunday Shake Up. Your talents both creatively and as a communicator shine through in the wider scrapbooking community. Although I do not get many comments on my blog I cannot recall any negative ones. Take Care and continue inspiring other like minded people.

[Lainie]

I love visiting your blog,reading about your chickens and hearing stories about your kiddos, watching them grow up. Not so much the drooling over your beautiful cakes and wishing I had 1/2 your talent! Lol. You go Girl!

[Donna M]

Just remember all the people you inspire in a positive way by blogging. They will by far outnumber the knockers. We must catch up soon!

[helen]

I'm a big believer in "if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all". Unfortunately not everyone subscribes to this policy - particularly with the anonomity the net gives us. A blog should be whatever you want it to be and I think that yours is beautiful. Have a fantastic day, Trina :)
Helen

[Lianne Williams]

You are one of the most amazing woman I know,I truly wonder how you fit everything into any one given day. It is a shame that there are so many negative people around but they are just not worth wasting time on...dwell on the positive...and just keep on being you

[Kate Blue]

agreed! and for each person who is a negative nelly, there will be 2 more positive pam's to take their place! I used to get negative and snide comments when I first started blogging about 5 years ago and I really had to let people know that my blg is for me and my family and that the crafty stuff I share is really just an added bonus....they either like or not :) Keep doing your thing and newbies like me will come :):)

[echarpe burberry pas cher]

Köszönet azért, hogy a megbízható kísérlet magyarázatot adni erre. Úgy érzem, nagyon erős, és kb szeretne tájékoztatni kell több. Ha ez rendben van, ahogy elérje extra intenzív bölcsességet tudna gondolatok extra állások nagyon egy ehhez hasonló több információt? Ez lehet rendkívül hasznos és hasznos nekem és kollégáimnak.