“When you don’t create things, you become defined by your tastes rather than ability. Your tastes only narrow and exclude people. So create.” – Why The Lucky Stiff

A friend sent me this a while ago and it’s been on my mind more often than anything else anyone has sent to me lately. I wasn’t sure why, since Ability and Taste both change with time. Then I realised only one may only get better with time. Sure, I’d like to have a wider set of things I’d want to enjoy later on in life, but would I want to do the same things I can do now?

Imagine a time around ten years ago. What was the quality of the work you did? Was there an artistry to what you did back then? Was your art as refined? Were your creations as intriguing, detailed, Filled with emotion? For me, no.

There was no diversity in the music I selected and it all sounded so cobbled together. My writing lacked conviction, humour and emotions. None of my track selections were done in key, when I could pick up a harmony, it was based on other people’s work, not mine. There was no definitive individual signature.

I couldn’t say the same about my creative works now. They’re far more well thought out, much more diverse and eclectic. There is greater thought and love put into all of it, even if the results don’t come out quite the way I want. Each time there is a lesson derived. There are details I put into my arrangements and pieces which I pick out with far more care than I have ever before. Photos I now take have some composition taken into account, with colour and contrast considered. Creation is by far, the most interesting, and beautiful process I’ve put myself through. I’d hope that what I do tomorrow is more beautiful, filled with love and appreciated more than yesterdays – and most importantly benefits the world in a way my past work may never be able to touch.

I hope to die one day saying what the great Charles Dickens said:

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”