Creative Destiny

Creative Destiny

"Welcome, oh life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the
reality of experience, to forge in the smithy of my soul the
uncreated conscience of my race...." 
   ___ James Joyce, "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man"

   These words of Stephen Dedalus are the ecstatic greeting of a young man on the verge of exile and adventure, creative destiny and the fulfillment of his heritage. "Creative destiny" sounds a very grand prosposition, the kind of thing that poets and artists might get themselves excited about. That we each have a creative destiny to fulfill is often conveniently forgotten, especially if we have carved out our niche in the world of work or have put the aspirations of our youth far behind us.

  We think of creativity as the production of professional and beautiful artwork or music or other achievements, but the whole course of our lives is one creative endeavor: not only the work of our hands, but the way we weave our relationships, the way we make our homes, the way we raise children, cook food, dream, garden, shop - all these and more are our creative fields. Our creative destiny is not fated by distant galaxies or proscriptive deities; it is nothing other than the mindful growth, development, and manifestation of the gifts that lie in potentia, the talents, aptitudes, and heritage with which we were born.

  Every year millions of young people begin their active, determined and intentioned lives as adults. LIke salmon retruning to their source, they set their faces toward the fulfillment of their creative destiny. It is a great adventure that few pursue unswervingly to the source; but for all who undertake it, there is no greater joy than to enter 'the smithy of the soul' and bring into manifestation something that was not possible before we brought our creative destiny to play there.

"What is your creative destiny? If it seem far off or unknown, consider the shape of your life to this point. Where has your life been wanting to flow?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]