inspired

I am watching Ken Robinson on Ted.com. This man, this expert in education and creativity and innovation, this brilliant thinker, has me laughing out loud.

We have become frightened [he says] of being wrong. And the thing is [he adds] if you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original. He is talking about the educational sphere and also, of society generally. Conformity [he continues] is impoverishing our spirits and our energies.

I have had a brilliant week: speaking to inspiring women who have challenged me and encouraged me to lift my gaze. I have also had an experience that has threatened to close me in, reduce my energy and diminish my spirit. An experience of being told that I am Doing it Wrong.

I found myself turning in, doubting. Because, to tell the truth, I am a little frightened of being wrong, of looking dumb, of not being enough. But you know what? I only questioned myself for a little while. Because I know, completely/utterly/entirely, that I would trade neat and clean and unoriginal and uninspired for real and messy and passionate and innovative and energised.

[any day].