Episode Transcript: S1E3: Embracing Creativity and Courage with ‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

[00:03] Hello and welcome to Read, Reflect, Rise, where we explore words of wisdom from wonderful [00:08] authors, invest in our personal growth and find ways to centre ourselves in this wonderful [00:14] yet oh-so-chaotic life. I’m your host, Will Struthers-Cooper, a teacher, wellbeing coach [00:20] and one of your biggest fans on our journey of self-discovery. [00:24] In each episode we dive into the wisdom of an inspiring author, a thought leader, a meditation [00:30] teacher, a researcher or maybe even a poet, whose words spark transformation and invite [00:35] heart full living. Together we’ll reflect on their insights, embark on a guided moment [00:40] of stillness inspired by their work and conclude with a powerful affirmation you can carry [00:45] with you throughout the week. Today’s episode is a deep dive into the world of creativity, [00:50] courage and inspiration through the eyes of an author who has encouraged millions to [00:55] listen to their innermost feelings, eat indulgent pasta dishes and step into their full potential. [01:00] We’re talking about none other than Elizabeth Gilbert and today we’re looking at her book, [01:05] Big Magic. This book is like a love letter to creativity, an invitation to live with [01:11] curiosity and courage, not fear. If you’ve ever longed to grow and express yourself more [01:17] but held yourself back, if you’ve ever doubted whether your ideas were good enough or if [01:22] you’ve ever felt stuck despite yearning to move forward and grow, this episode is the [01:27] one for you. [01:29] Elizabeth Gilbert is a name you might recognise from Eat Pray Love. It was a global sensation [01:34] that sent countless people on journeys of self-discovery and it starred Julia Roberts [01:38] in the film version. Liz Gilbert is much, much more than just a best-selling author. [01:43] She’s a leader. She embodies grace, courage and vulnerability in the way she lives her [01:48] life and she’s clearly a deep thinker about the creative process itself. In Big Magic, [01:55] she unpacks what it truly means to live a life of inner freedom, not in the sense of [02:00] being a professional artist but in the sense of embracing expansiveness in everyday living, [02:05] whether that’s through painting, writing, gardening or simply thinking in new ways. [02:10] What makes Gilbert’s approach to creativity so powerful is her perspective on fear. She [02:16] doesn’t tell us to conquer fear or eliminate it. She invites us to make space for our fears, [02:22] even the debilitating ones, but not let them be in charge. Her philosophy? That ideas are [02:29] living things waiting for us to collaborate with them and that creative living doesn’t [02:34] require us to be fearless. It just requires courage. Now, let’s immerse ourselves in her words. [02:43] This passage from Big Magic speaks to the heart of creative courage. Let’s settle in, [02:48] take a breath and absorb some wisdom from Liz Gilbert. The fear you need and the fear [02:55] you don’t need. Now you probably think I’m going to tell you that you must become fearless in [03:01] order to live a more creative life, but I’m not going to tell you that because I don’t happen to [03:06] believe it’s true. Creativity is a path for the brave, yes, but it is not a path for the fearless [03:12] and it’s important to recognize the distinction. Bravery means doing something scary. Fearlessness [03:20] means not even understanding what the word scary means. If your goal in life is to become fearless, [03:27] then I believe you’re already on the wrong path because the only truly fearless people I’ve ever [03:32] met were straight-up sociopaths and a few exceptionally reckless three-year-olds and those [03:37] aren’t good role models for anyone. The truth is you need your fear for obvious reasons of basic [03:44] survival. Evolution did well to install a fear reflex within you because if you didn’t have any [03:50] fear you would leave a short, crazy, stupid life. You would walk into traffic, you would [03:56] drift off into the woods and be eaten by bears. You would jump into giant waves off the coast of [04:02] Hawaii despite being a poor swimmer. You would marry a guy who said on the first date, I don’t [04:07] necessarily believe people were designed by nature to be monogamous. So yes, you absolutely do need [04:14] your fear in order to protect you from actual dangers like the ones I’ve listed above, but you [04:19] not need your fear in the realm of creative expression. Seriously, you don’t. Just because [04:26] you don’t need your fear when it comes to creativity of course doesn’t mean your fear won’t show up. [04:32] Trust me, your fear will always show up, especially when you’re trying to be inventive or innovative. [04:38] Your fear will always be triggered by your creativity because creativity asks you to enter [04:43] realms of uncertain outcome and fear hates uncertain outcome. Your fear, programmed by [04:51] evolution to be hyper vigilant and insanely overprotective, will always assume that any [04:57] uncertain outcome is destined to end in a bloody, horrible death. Basically, your fear is like a [05:04] mall cop who thinks he’s a Navy SEAL. He hasn’t slept in days, he’s all hopped up in Red Bull and [05:10] he’s liable to shoot at his own shadow in an absurd effort to keep everyone safe. This is [05:16] totally natural and human. It’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. It is however, something that [05:22] very much needs to be dealt with. The road trip. Here’s how I’ve learned to deal with my fear. I [05:30] made a decision a long time ago that if I want creativity in my life, and I do, then I will have [05:36] to make space for fear too. Plenty of space. I decided that I would need to build an expansive [05:44] enough interior life that my fear and my creativity could peacefully coexist since it appeared that [05:50] they would always be together. In fact, it seems to me that my fear and my creativity are basically [05:57] conjoined twins as evidenced by the fact that creativity cannot take a single step forward [06:03] without fear marching right alongside it. Fear and creativity shared a womb. They were born at [06:10] the same time and they still share some vital organs. This is why we have to be careful of how [06:15] we handle our fear because I’ve noticed that when people try to kill off their fear, they often end [06:21] up inadvertently murdering their creativity in the process. So I don’t try to kill off my fear. I [06:36] make space for fear right this moment. I allow my fear to live and breathe and stretch out its legs [06:42] comfortably. It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. If I can relax, [06:49] fear relaxes too. In fact, I cordially invite fear to come along with me everywhere I go. I even have [06:56] a welcoming speech prepared for fear, which I deliver right before embarking upon my new project [07:02] or big adventure. It goes something like this. Dearest fear, creativity and I are about to go on [07:09] a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us because you always do. I acknowledge [07:15] that you believe you have an important job to do in my life and that you take your job seriously. [07:21] Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting and [07:25] may I say you are superb at your job. So by all means keep doing your job if you feel you must. I [07:34] will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused and creativity [07:40] will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There’s plenty of [07:46] room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home. But understand this, creativity [07:52] and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect [07:58] that you’re part of this family and so I will never exclude you from our activities. But still, [08:04] your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat and you’re allowed to have [08:09] a voice, but you’re not allowed to have a vote. You’re not allowed to touch the road maps. You’re [08:14] not allowed to suggest detours. You’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not [08:19] allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely [08:26] forbidden to drive. Then we head off together, me and creativity and fear, side by side forever, [08:36] advancing once more into the terrifying but marvelous terrain of unknown outcome. Why it’s [08:43] worth it? It isn’t always comfortable or easy carrying your fear around with you and your great [08:48] and ambitious road trip. I mean, but it’s always worth it because if you can’t learn to travel [08:54] comfortably alongside your fear, then you’ll never be able to go anywhere interesting or do [08:59] anything interesting. And that would be a pity because your life is short and rare and amazing [09:05] and miraculous and you want to do really interesting things and make really interesting things while [09:11] you’re still here. I know that’s what you want for yourself because that’s what I want for myself [09:15] too. It’s what we all want. And you have treasures hidden within you, extraordinary treasures. And so [09:23] do I. And so does everyone around us. And bringing those treasures to light takes work and faith [09:30] and focus and courage and hours of devotion. And the clock is ticking and the world is spinning [09:38] and we simply do not have time anymore to think so small. [09:52] And when you’re ready, we’re going to go into meditation inspired by Liz Gilbert’s words. [10:01] What a powerful meditation I’m using on courage and fear and how you can invite fear along for the journey. [10:13] Beautiful prose, but sometimes easier said than done. So let yourself settle down into your body, [10:24] whether you’re moving or still, it makes no odds. Feel your feet, feel the touch of your hands on [10:32] whatever they’re on. Feel any support you’ve got on your seat or your back. And allow yourself to [10:42] breathe in and release. And again, breathe in and release. Notice any sounds around you. [11:01] It could be the wind moving the trees. It could be traffic. It could be machines buzzing or [11:07] could be other people’s voices. Give yourself the gift of presence. In this moment, what do you notice? [11:20] In this moment, what do you notice? And again, breathing in and allowing yourself to release [11:31] the tension in your body and the breath. [11:37] Taking longer and longer exhales as you take a moment to be and breathe. [11:55] And now I want you to think about getting into a car. You’re going somewhere new, somewhere [12:00] you’ve always wanted to go. It could be an actual physical destination, an adventure, a journey. [12:07] It could be into a new job or into a new facet of a relationship. [12:16] You’re going to take a car to get there. [12:22] And you get into the car, it doesn’t matter if you’re the driver or the passenger. [12:29] And you let your old friend fear come in. Now if you haven’t ever pictured your fear before, [12:38] allow yourself a moment just to work out what they look like. Are they tall, short, jagged, curvy, angular? [12:52] Do they look like a human or some kind of cartoon character? Are they an animal? [12:58] But remember they’ve got to fit into this car. And you might even want to put them into maybe [13:04] a child’s car seat. So they might need to shrink in size a little bit. Make them the size of [13:13] a toddler perhaps. And they’re not in charge. And even if they think they are, they’re not in charge. [13:22] So you just make sure they’ve got their seatbelts all done up and they’re secure and they can’t go anywhere. [13:31] Now look ahead. Now you’re back in your own seat. Where are you traveling to? [13:37] How do you want to be when you get there? [13:44] Think about how you’ll feel in your own skin. How you’ll dress, how you’ll move, what you’ll say. [13:53] Paint a picture of that you that’s going to come alive at your destination. [14:00] Have you made something? Have you changed something? Have you become something? [14:09] And allow yourself to take a moment knowing fine well that fear’s in the back seat all strapped in, [14:16] buckled up. They can speak but they don’t have any power. [14:24] Allow yourself time to soak in that vision [14:31] of what you’ve done, where you’ve gone, who you’re becoming. [14:43] Picture what you’re wearing. [14:49] Look around you. [14:53] Are you in the corner office? Are you holding a brand new printed manuscript in your hands? [15:02] Are you dancing? Are you standing on top of a mountain? Are you in a corner office? [15:06] Are you in a fountain? What’s your dream? What’s your creative soul calling for? [15:20] Let it exist. [15:28] And allow a smile to grow on your face. [15:32] And if you hear that little voice in the back seat piping up, remember they’re not driving the car. [15:39] You and creativity are. [15:44] So pass them back a colouring book. Pass them back a snack. [15:52] They’ve got a voice but it’s not going to change your journey. [16:03] Now I want you to encompass, gather up all of that journey energy. [16:14] And rest your hands on your heart. [16:20] Allow the corners of your mouth to lift. [16:25] Allow yourself to breathe into that energy inside of you. [16:30] Allow your chest and your ribs to expand in a circle. [16:36] And imagine it traveling down through your torso, down your legs, into your feet. [16:43] Out through your shoulders, down to your fingertips, up to the very top of your head. [16:52] This dream came from within you. You now know what it looks like to live it. [17:08] Allow yourself to live it no matter what fear says. [17:16] Now coming back to the soles of your feet, wiggle your toes, move your fingers, [17:23] put some pressure down onto the balls of your feet and into your heels. [17:27] Feel that strength. Do the same with your hands. Apply some pressure. [17:35] Feel that power. That’s all inside of you. [17:57] Thanks for coming along on that journey with me. [18:02] Creating our lives, creativity, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up. [18:09] It’s about taking one tiny step forward. It’s about saying yes to inspiration when it comes knocking. [18:19] And as you move through your week, I invite you to hold on to this affirmation. [18:24] All of my feelings are welcome. I move forward with grace. I move forward with love. [18:34] All of my feelings are welcome. I move forward with grace. I move forward with love. [18:43] And if that doesn’t resonate or go deeply enough for you in some moments of panic or fear, play with this one. [18:50] I see my fear. I breathe into my fear. I take one step forward despite my fear. [19:02] I see my fear. I breathe into my fear. I take one step forward despite my fear. [19:15] Let it be a reminder that you don’t need permission to create. You just need to begin. [19:24] Thank you for spending this time with me on Read, Reflect, Rise. I hope today’s episode has given [19:28] you a sense of possibility, a fresh perspective and a little nudge toward whatever magic is calling [19:33] you to create something that will make your heart sing. If this episode resonated with you, share it [19:39] with a friend who might need a reminder to embrace their creativity or courage. Don’t forget to subscribe [19:45] so you never miss an episode. And if Liz Gilbert’s words spoke to you, consider picking up Big Magic. [19:50] Support a local bookshop, get it at your library or buy it online. For more resources and links [19:55] to the book mentioned, visit www.readreflectrise.com. That’s www.readreflectrise.com. You’ll find [20:05] everything in the show description. While you’re there, join the email list for exclusive content [20:09] and inspiration between episodes. And if you find value here today, leaving a review on Apple [20:15] Podcasts or Spotify helps so much. It’s a great way to spread this message and help others find [20:20] moments of reflection and growth. Remember, as you move through your week, creativity is not something [20:27] outside of you. It’s already within you, waiting to be invited to live its best life. You always hold [20:33] the power to create one breath, one pause and one choice at a time. Until next time, I’m Will [20:40] Struthers-Cooper reminding you to take a moment to be so you can reflect and rise. Go well, take great [20:46] care of each other and remember there is magic, medicine and power in the words we weave and wield. [20:53] Big Magic. [20:54] [21:01] Perspective on fear. [21:09] And you’re rare and miraculous and amazing. Okay. [21:24] Stitch.