From the Heart: The Imitation Game

“Imitation is not inspiration, and inspiration only can give birth to a work of art. The least of man's original emanation is better than the best of borrowed thought.” ~Albert Pinkham Ryder

In these present times, when there seems to be so much desire to be “just like” the person with the most likes, the most followers, the most fame, and the most attention, true originality is a breath of fresh air.

To witness originality in words, in thought, and in expression is akin to witnessing a rare work of art never displayed before, one that invigorates, inspires, and excites to the very core the one who is hungry to behold it.

It is to witness raw courage in full unobscured glory, naked and beautiful and completely available.

Originality is an untethered and wild force, one that springs from deep within a human being, from their inner most desires and calling, and resists being contained.

And what is amazing and awesome about originality is that it is not reserved only for the artists or an elite few, but is a gift given to you and to me. It is meant to be channeled through our unique perspective, sensibilities, and desire in regards to how we wish to see and experience the world.

We each have been given a role to play, and have been called to play it with authenticity, and with our own sensibilities and flair.

While inspiration is a glorious gift, and is a brilliant method of getting one's own juices flowing, and piquing one's own desire to share what is there within themselves, the desire to imitate and to become an exact replica of what already exists is a slippery slope and a game best not engaged in.

To rely on imitation is to slowly, over time, begin to lose who one truly, deeply is, to begin to forget the sound of one's own voice that rings from within, and to drift away from the path of authenticity and one's own unique calling and purpose in this life...

And that unique purpose is the very reason that each of us has been endowed with this magnificent originality in the first place: so that we may discover it, taste it, experience it, and see it come forth from within us like the Divine force that it is, and manifest into something tangible.

Yes, it takes courage to be original. It takes a willingness to be misunderstood, thought foolish, or not accepted.

It takes bravery to blaze the trails ahead of others, to be seen as strange, or sensitive, and not part of the pack.

But if all of that is the cost of discovering, maintaining, and displaying one's originality, then it is truly a small price to pay in the grand scheme of this play called “life”.

We each have been given a role to play, and have been called to play it with authenticity, and with our own sensibilities and flair.

How tragic would it be if the world never got to see the magnificent originality each one of us brings...

Taste what's good and pass it on.

Ingrid