005. You Will Never Happen Again.

Keep the appointments with your soul.

5/100: Who or what was your greatest lesson last year?

“I was waiting for
something extraordinary to
happen

but as the years wasted on
nothing ever did unless I
caused it.”

―Charles Bukowski

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Dear Myra,

Every year, without fail, I learn you can’t force a lesson or rush a revelation. It takes seconds to read or hear something profound, but may take a lifetime of grappling with an idea or philosophy to understand it. Last year tested my convictions, my patience, and my ability to accept and let go.

I tried to narrow it down to 4 lessons for you.

1. Create more than you consume.
Create more than you criticize.
Create more than you compare.

I’ve admittedly, multiple times, sat in front of an empty fireplace and demanded heat. I’ve watched other people’s shiny lives through screens. I’ve seen something working for someone and wondered why it wasn’t working for me. I’ve projected. I’ve generalized, assumed. I’ve fed my fireplace with critiques and comparisons, then pressed my palms together, praying for a spark. Which is, of course, not how it works. All the extraordinary and serendipity you seek exists in the doing. And when you begin to use your gifts to serve others, you’ll feel all the warmth your life has to offer.

2. It’s been done before, but not by you.

I spent 3 days with some of the most talented people on the internet. Composers, illustrators, painters, writers, filmmakers, musicians. I’d never been in the same room with that many artists in my adult life. The last evening, we were split into teams of 3-4, and tasked with creating a short film in less than 12 hours (with a surprise 20k on the line). I was put on the only all-women’s team with the talented Amanda, Linh, and Tiffany.

While Amanda and Tiffany were animating, Lin and I took a gondola to the top of a mountain to shoot the last scene of our short. When we reached the top, two drones hovered above us. Every team’s full of equipment arsenal was being utilized. We could’ve easily become overwhelmed, intimidated. There was a 100% likelihood that everyone’s film would be amazing. In those times I remember that it’s been done before, but not by you. Not by me. There is something special about how you do things, how you say them, how you put them together. Don’t compromise your vision. The world needs to see you do it.

We ended up taking home a surprise 2^nd place.

3. We need each other.

If you desire community, it’s something you can create. If it’s not something you look to create, it is something you can become an active participant in. Growing the Craft & Release community with my co-founder Glynn has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and also my time in New York. I would’ve never met the incredible people who come to events, workshops, or co-working sessions if we hadn’t taken the risk and invited people in. I can feel it with every exchange, every embrace, every story shared. We need each other now more than ever.

4. Service your soul.

Keep the appointments with yourself. The 3 long-hand pages in the morning, the walk to help you reflect, the one deep breath. Pay attention to the things that move you and the people that move you, spend time with those people, those things. Give yourself permission to adventure, to dream, to wander, to create. “Return to the well of yourself and begin again,” as many times as you need.

Love,
Nneka

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5/100: Who or what was your greatest lesson last year?

Thank you for watching, reading, listening. I’m looking forward to reading your answers to this one, friends.