Jennifer Lopez said the difference between a singer and an artist is that as an artist it’s her responsibility to share her lessons and experiences through her art.
Are you a singer or an artist?
For a long time in my career, I taught to others what I myself had been taught. Even the how-to books I wrote were my interpretation of what I had learned. And because those were mostly systems, there wasn’t much room for creativity – other than in the way I organized and presented them.
Yes, there was a certain amount of art in all that – the art of writing, the art of teaching. But it wasn’t until the personal process that led to the founding of the Deeper Song Community that I felt like I was being original. After all, who can describe how to sing a deeper song? You only know it if you do it.
How much of yourself do you share?
In my case, I probably share too much. But I’m on a quest to deepen my own spirituality and it’s an exciting one. So I share that. I’m also moving through the aging process and as I fight off the average idea of that, I share how I’m progressing. The phrase “translator of life experiences” has appeared in my consciousness.
Build a bridge
Taylor Swift shares a great deal of her personal journey. It’s passionate, and people resonate with her process. She sings about a circumstance and how she moved through it, sharing both the problem and the lesson. It touches hearts and offers lessons and insights.
We have to build that bridge. When we share our insights with others, we have to make the emotional connection to what we faced so that others can identify and connect with it also.
I heard Jennifer Lopez’s words on a very short interview moment on TV and they resonated deeply with me. I jotted down the words, raced to my computer, and here I am – talking about how we can make certain we share of ourselves in a manner that others can hear.
Steps to take
For me, the steps are first that a core idea shows up that calls to me. It can come from a line in a novel, a statement on TV, a webinar, even something I wrote myself. The connection is strong and the aspects I want to explore come on its heels. Then I write to figure out why I like it and how I might apply it in my life. Often it’s an answer I’ve been looking for as my life unfolds.
Write what you need to write but make certain you include a real-life reference that allows people to feel an emotional connection with the situation or problem that you address.
How much is too much?
I don’t have an answer to that. I’m writing so much content that comes from my natural curiosity that I’m slightly overwhelmed, as may be the people who read what I write.
I explore and share my observations on a variety of platforms. My exploration usually begins with a post. More frequently, however, an idea calls to be explored and I go straight to podcast outline mode where I can explore it and tell more stories about the solutions I find.
Share from your heart
When you share from your heart, you’ll touch the hearts of others. Allow your enthusiasm, your discoveries, your concerns to be a part of what you share with others.
The artist’s responsibility is to share their own understanding of life. Be an artist in everything you do.
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
Share From Your Soul
Stoking the Fire Within
What if You Broke the Mold?
The Length of Your Reach
The Many Faces of Your Calling
40 – Who Do yo Want to Serve?
32 – How to See Your Work As Art
