inspired
Thursday, March 15, 2012I am watching Ken Robinson on Ted.com. This man, this expert in education and creativity and innovation, this brilliant thinker, has me laughing out loud.
We have become frightened [he says] of being wrong. And the thing is [he adds] if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original. He is talking about the educational sphere and also, of society generally. Conformity [he continues] is impoverishing our spirits and our energies.
I have had a brilliant week: speaking to inspiring women who have challenged me and encouraged me to lift my gaze. I have also had an experience that has threatened to close me in, reduce my energy and diminish my spirit. An experience of being told that I am Doing it Wrong.
I found myself turning in, doubting. Because, to tell the truth, I am a little frightened of being wrong, of looking dumb, of not being enough. But you know what? I only questioned myself for a little while. Because I know, completely/utterly/entirely, that I would trade neat and clean and unoriginal and uninspired for real and messy and passionate and innovative and energised.
[any day].