8 years ago I released my first spoken word album, Honest Thoughts.
I was 24 and eager and depressed and unsure.
Looking back, I had no idea what I was doing.
To be fair, I still don’t, but today I have a better idea than I used to.
Last week I released my latest spoken word album, So Far.
I have learned quite a bit between the two releases.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been reflecting on the last 8 years.

Here is what I have learned about writing, creating, and sharing over the years ...

Perception

Not everyone you love will love what you do.
Many will not understand, support, or believe in the art you are creating.
And that’s okay.

In 2013 I created a Facebook page for my writings.
It was a big step.
I invited hundreds of friends, acquaintances, and strangers to ‘Like’ my new dream.
And some of them were kind enough to.
Others were honest enough to not.
It was hard when close friends decided not to.
You can try not to take these things personally, but you cannot keep yourself from being a human being or feeling something deep.
Not everyone will understand why you are doing what you’re doing, but what you are doing matters.
Remember that.
And keep creating.

Success

Success is not found in numbers.
Identity is not found in success or numbers.
Your purpose is not to grow an audience, but to create something honest.
Success looks different for everyone and your idea of success might change over time.
When I first started sharing my work online my idea of success was fame.
I know.
Ew.
Truth is, I wanted to be a famous writer.
I thought that would solve all my problems, open all the doors, and change the look of my bank account.
Maybe then I would be respected or my friends who didn’t Like my Facebook page would finally click that button.
My idea of success has drastically changed over time.
These days I am focused on remaining faithful, getting better, and giving something more than my best.
Forget the numbers and create. 

Start.

This is the biggest step.
This is the hardest step.
And you have to do this every single day.

You cannot create without getting messy.

Trying is messy.
Growing is messy.
Learning is messy.
Believing in yourself (and you should believe in yourself) is messy.
Art is messy.
It’s all messy.

Art.

All art is different.
All art has a place.
I get it, spoken word isn’t for everyone.
Every poet has their style and way of delivering their work.
The art of one human is not for every human.
Unless you’re God.
Trees, flowers, sunshine, and dogs are for everyone.
Also, pizza.
And as it turns out, not everyone is going to like what you create.
And that’s okay.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand and it’s something we don’t want to try to understand.
And that’s okay, too.

It’s okay to have fun.

Make this a goal and stick with it.

Give it time.

It takes time to find your voice, audience, message, style, and strengths.
You aren’t going to become a great writer, creator, painter, poet, photographer, etc .. overnight. That’s not how this works. In a world where we can get most things on demand, skill is not one of them.
Continue to learn and study and try.
Continue to give it time.
Michael Jordan didn’t win a championship until his 7th season in the NBA. And Space Jam wasn’t released until 12 years after he entered the NBA!
Good things are worth the wait.

Comparison is not your friend.

You can hangout with comparison every single day and it will never be your friend or do you any favors.
That being said, your peers and contemporaries are excellent teachers.
Learn from them.
It should go without saying, but do not steal their work.
However, you can and should watch what they do and learn from them.

Who is in your corner?

I’ve got a few good friends who believe in what I do.
Some of them are even Patrons.
They remind me of my value and encourage me to continue.
I’m not sure I would still be doing this if it wasn’t for those who have spoken up.
I hope you have a few people in your corner who can remind you that what you do matters.
Because what you do matters. 

Failing Forward.

Call it whatever you would like.
Mistakes. Failure. Accidents. Oopsie.
I do not like to make mistakes, but the more I write, create, and share the more mistakes I seem to make.
Forgotten commas, spelling mistakes, sluggish seasons, skipped steps, etc.
As I look back on the last 8 years I see how I was failing forward.
Yes, there has been some success along the way, but it has taken plenty of mistakes to lead to success.
Keep failing forward.

Not everyone is thinking about you

They aren’t.
You will be the one who spends the most time thinking about what you are doing.
Your fans and followers care about what you do, but they are not thinking about what you are doing.
Let this be freeing.

Exhausting.

Everyday is a battle.

It is exhausting to put yourself out there again and again, but isn’t this the good work?
To hold your creation out for others to accept or turn away from.
It’s all exhausting.
But I cannot help but believe it’s all worth it.

It is worth it.

Let it blaze (a poem)

That spark will turn into a fire and it will blaze.
And you’ll create.
And you’ll share.
And you’ll wonder.
And you’ll care.
And you’ll create with wonder and care.
And you’ll get lost.
And you’ll be unfollowed.
And then followed.
And then unfollowed.
And you’ll want to give up.
And you’ll tell yourself you aren’t good enough.
And you’ll believe it.
And you’ll fight it.
I hope you fight it.
And you’ll tell yourself to keep fighting.
And to keep going.
And to keep showing up.
And you’ll want to walk away.
And you might.
But I hope you’ll come back to the fire that once burned bright.
And when you return you’ll create something new.
And soon the questions and doubts and hopes and dreams will find themselves in your heart and mind again.
They always do.
But look to the light.
Let that spark turn into a fire and let it blaze.
Let it blaze.

For more of my poetry, check out my books!