“There’s nothing original out there.”
“It’s all been done before.”
When people say these things, I just roll my eyes. And quietly dismiss them from my sphere.
You are totally unique. There is no other soul exactly like you in the universe.
You are one of a kind. Your very own brand.
As you work with spirit and co-creating yourself, you amplify that. It gets stronger, clearer, more distinctive.
And it looks different than anything anyone has ever seen.
That takes courage to express.
Which is why so many people default to “It’s all been done before.” They’re afraid to take it to that next level.
“The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. Those who walk alone are likely to find themselves in places no one has ever been before.”
~ Einstein
When you are truly yourself, and you express that in your creative work, the end result is innovative, bold and NEW.
You, in this form, right now, have never existed before. So the expression is too. That is, the more you let the real you come out, and don’t hide behind what other people have already done.
Ian Schrager is one of my role models. He opened the legendary Studio 54 and in a later incarnation, gave birth to the boutique hotel. He wanted to create unique spaces that were like mini, self-contained universes.
And he’s done them so well. So well, that he’s been imitated the world over and started a whole new concept.
He’s said that he wants people to walk into one of his hotels and feel like it’s nothing they’ve ever seen before.
Two of my favorites are the Sanderson (above image is the lobby) in London and Gramercy Park in New York. Then there’s the Delano. And the Shore Club. I love them all.
The way he describes his creative process is this:
“I’m all about innovation. I want to walk right up to the edge and see how far we can go, without going over it.”
and
“I always do exactly what I love, and am always surprised when other people love it too.”
When I gave a talk last year at Pecha Kucha Night in Vancouver, I was wondering how far I ought to take it. Do I put it all out there? I’m this crazy mix of art and God and surfing and MILF-ing and ejaculate-eating. How would it all go down?
Raucously.
I put it all out there and knocked it out of the park.
A few tips on being courageous to your own voice:
1) The unknown can be very scary. Which is why most people don’t go there. Get used to the foreign-ness of it. Make it your friend. As Steve Jobs said,
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
2) Surround yourself with big thinkers. Fearless thinkers.
Last year, when I was preparing my Pecha Kucha talk, I was talking to the awesome Kate Muker, of Conscious Divas. “Go for it,” she said. “Just do it.” Her words were the tipping point for me.
3) If you are having fun and it makes you feel high and belly laugh at the crazy absurdness of it all, you are probably on the right track.
I was talking to my awesome, awesome literary agent last week about my book. We were on the same theme: being true to my voice. As he gave me feedback, I was laughing so hard my belly ached. And ached.
I took it as a sign that we were moving in the right direction.
4) Stop hiding. Behind other people’s words and opinions. Do your best to discover your own. And express them.
I see people mimic and even plagiarize other people’s work all the time. And their opinions.
You aren’t fooling anyone.
Even if people don’t know exactly where you “borrowed” it from, whether it’s web site copy or how you feel about a social issue, they’ll feel that you aren’t totally authentic. And they’ll back away.
Even if it feels clumsy and painful at first, find your own way. It gets easier. And you’ll have the power of the universe, all of its creative energy, on your side.
I promise you that.
Be courageous and true to your own voice. Always.
****
The talk I gave at Pecha Kucha last year was called “Things that Open; Things that Penetrate.” It was on my creative influences.
If you haven’t seen the video yet, here it is:
PKN Vancouver is having a contest—the person who collects the most votes as the best presenter over the years gets to talk at their all-star night in February.
If you like the video (or you were there that night), please vote for me! Because it’s important that more people know it’s possible to love eating ejaculate and practicing high spirituality. And often at the same time.
Vote for me here! Scroll down to Vol. 14 to find me.
Many thanks and much love!
~ Kim
xx
