The World Needs Your Expression

I stumbled upon a tumblr site where my niece, Kirsten, posts. I always wonder if that is okay. I mean, does she feel like I am looking over her shoulder when I want to read or see what she is posting, or is she perfectly fine with my interest in the thoughts swirling around in her brain.

Here is something she posted which made me pause in my tracks and vow to copy it so that I would never lose the sentiment myself, even though I have no idea who Martha Graham is:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. … No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

Martha Graham

Isn't that brilliant! How I needed to hear that - really hear it. The world needs my expression, even if I'm never satisfied that my very best expression is good enough!