“Growth is two steps forward, one step back”: 8 quotes about overcoming difficulties

In The Artist’s Way, a book about the creative renaissance, writer Julia Cameron shares her experience with us. Here are some important quotes for you.

1. Success or failure does not determine the quality of life

The quality of life is always proportional to the ability to enjoy. And the ability to rejoice is a gift of attention… Maybe it is not so for others, but it was pain that taught me to be attentive. It was at a time when the future seemed too terrifying to look into, and the past too painful to remember, that I developed the ability to be attentive to the present.

Separately, each moment has always been tolerable. In every such moment, everything is always good for everyone. Yesterday the marriage could break up. Tomorrow the cat may die. A long-awaited call from a loved one may not be heard. But right now, this very second, everything is fine. I inhale and exhale. Realizing this, I began to notice the beauty of every moment …

When I think about my grandmother, I remember how she was busy in the garden and one of her small tanned breasts slipped from time to time out of the cotton dress that grandmother sewed for herself for the summer. I remember how she pointed out to me the trihedral poplars in a ravine at the foot of a steep hill near the house — the family was about to lose this house due to debts. “They are loved by ponies because they give shade,” Grandma said. “And I like them because they are silvery when they are green.”

2. Growth — uneven forward movement: two steps forward, one step back

Don’t forget this and be very kind to yourself. On Tuesday, you easily get something unheard of, and on Wednesday, on the contrary, things go worse than ever. This is completely normal. Growth happens in leaps and bounds. Sometimes you will just sit back, hatching some plans. Dont be upset. Think of it like a vacation.

3. Envy is a card. And each of us has our own…

For example, I have never been touched by the success of women who write novels. But I have always had a certain unhealthy interest in the successes and failures of women who write plays … Envy is fraught with fear: that we are not able to achieve what we want; that someone else is pursuing what seems rightfully ours, even if we are too scared to try to reach it.

It does not recognize the abundance and diversity of the universe. And as soon as we take a step towards a dream, the truth becomes obvious: there is enough space in the Universe for everyone. But envy makes us look at things as if from a tunnel. It narrows the ability to see objects in perspective. Deprives us of the ability to distinguish between other options. Envy robs us of the desire to act, while action is the key to freedom.

4. Being a creative person means comprehending subtleties

Appreciate the extraordinary. Allow yourself frivolity in relation to accepted norms. Ask the question «why?». Being creative means being aware of the amazing. Leave unsuitable furniture in the room if we like it. Wearing a strange coat if it makes us happier. Stop trying to be someone other than yourself.

5. It is very important to distinguish useful criticism from all other …

Concrete and precise criticism of the case only brings relief to the author: “Oh yes! That’s what’s wrong here!» Useful criticism eventually adds another piece of glass of the desired shape to the mosaic of our work.

Useless criticism, on the contrary, makes you feel beaten. As a rule, its tone is poisonously destroying, the content is ambiguous, the reproaches are subjective and non-specific. Irresponsible criticism teaches nothing.

6. Forgive yourself

Forgive yourself every time your nerves, lack of time, or initiative let you down. Make a list of positive affirmations that will help you improve in the future.

7. A successful creative career is always built on successful creative failures.

The trick is to survive. And it is much easier to do this, knowing that even the great ones faced it at one time.

8. Creativity starts with haymaking on a sunny day.

With attention to «here and now» and enjoying every minute. Allow yourself pleasant little things and breaks … Remember that you are a petty little soul and a cheapskate, and not God. Expect more and more generosity from God and you will enable Him to live up to your expectations. We would really like to do exactly what we are meant to do. And when we start doing this, money is immediately found, the right doors open, we feel useful, and work seems like a game.