The artist is nothing without the gift,
but the gift is nothing without work.
— Emile Zola
I wonder why it is often difficult to follow through with the creative act. The idea exists in my head, but it lacks the accompanying action. Maybe I am afraid of failure. But if I don’t act, I have already failed without even a single chance for success. Maybe measurement of success or failure is the problem. Is not “being” and “doing” inherently more good than simply “knowing” and “existing?” I should embrace mistakes and accidents. Without them I will never grow. After all what good is a gift I keep for myself? Gifts are meant to be given.