The Art of Being an Underdog
I watched the movie joy recently, starring Jennifer Lawrence. In my opinion, it's a must for anyone who has a dream they need to follow. But the thing about this movie that got me thinking, wasn't only the pursuit of a dream but how Joy was surrounded by people who continually spoke doubt and fear rejection and negativity into her life and dream. But (spoiler alert) she becomes the underdog, and lives up to her name.
We all like the underdog story don't we? The character that faces odds that are slim, enduring hardship and struggle, only to emerge victorious. We love that, except when we’re the ones called to play the role of the underdog. No one wants to endure hardship or struggle. No one wants to go through pain, missteps, failure. We just want the good stuff. Fast forward through the valley. But the truth is, there is no victory without all that pain. In fact, it is usually because of the pain that the underdog becomes a hero at all.
“...I want you to remember something, because a lot of times people get nice things and they start to think differently. We got here from hard work, patience and humility. So I want to tell you, don’t ever think that the world owes you anything, because it doesn’t. The world doesn’t owe you a thing.”
And can we talk about those voices that surround the underdog when he/she starts talking about a dream they have? It's like some people speak to them out of pity. "Poor guy, he doesn't even realize how unrealistic he is. I wonder if he knows the odds of succeeding?" "I hate to be the one, but somebody's got to remind her of reality. Dreams don't pay the bills. You've got to be responsible. Practical. Why put yourself and those you love through such unnecessary pain?"
“For me personally, there was no path. A mom and a woman way back then, to sit at a coffee table and say, ‘Yeah, I’m an inventor?’ It was like, ‘Okay. She needs to go to therapy.’”
They mean well, usually. Maybe they are victims of their own delayed or derailed dreams. Maybe that's how someone spoke to them, so they in turn continue to spew the same sentiments to those around them. Maybe they feel threatened, because change for you, means change for them.
And those are the external voices. The internal ones can be just as cruel if not more so. Because they play dirty. They know how and when to hit you.
Maybe that's another reason we love the underdog so much. Because we see how close to the edge of failure and disaster they walk. And when someone endures in that face of all those odds against them, it's inspiring.
So who is your favorite underdog? What's their story? Leave me a comment. I'd love to know who inspires you!
There's no need to fear--
Underdog is here!
There Are No Shortcuts
The other day I tweeted out "Taking a Shortcut cuts short your opportunity to become who you need to be on the journey." This statement came to me after reflecting on a biblical account in 1 Samuel 24 where David had the opportunity to kill his enemy, King Saul, who had been pursuing him. But David chose to forgo the easy path. The obvious path, and what some people (especially those around him) would have said was the RIGHT path. David knew better. It wasn't the path to becoming who he needed to be. What does this have to do with creating your ART?
Following that, I came across this nugget from James Victore:
Do the work. The process is everything. If you cheat it, you compromise your transformation and come out unchanged - a knucklehead. And if you don't like doing the work the first time, you're gonna hate doing it again. Do the work.
Do the work. Become who you need to be, in the process. Without it, your Art, like your character, will be hollow.
You Can't Make it on Talent Alone
When I was in High School I remember a few kids in my art classes who's work was just stunning. They were so talented and made it seem so easy. It was hard not to be either disheartened or jealous. I remember one day, my Art teacher telling us all that "you couldn't make it on talent alone". At the time I thought that was such a dumb statement.
But the reality of that statement started showing true through my years in art school (2 different ones even). We all started out bright eyed, eager, naive... along the way the crowd was thinned. Some people couldn't hack it, others lost interest. I remember one sad extreme example vividly.
There was a fellow student we'll call "Steve". Steve was so naturally gifted. His work was always praised, and seemed to need little reworking following our critiques. I would have bet he was on the fast track for success. Yet he started to miss some classes here and there. And soon he was absent more than present. Rumors of alcoholism surfaced. And one day sitting on a bar stool at a local pub, I saw this first hand. He confessed he had no hope. His addiction swallowed him. And Steve disappeared for good one day.
I remember thinking that was such a tragedy. From outward appearances he was this shining star, ultra-talented artist. But his demons got the best of him.
Other Art School dropouts just seemed to be victims of wayward passions, dead-end jobs, financial situations... the normal stuff of life. "You can't make it on talent alone." Now I got it. But what do I do with it?
Keep showing up. Make the best of YOUR situation. Take YOUR experiences and create your art in them, through them, and even in spite of them. Keep learning and growing.
For a long time I didn't. I got sidetracked. Lost. Buried with other responsibilities, false identities, believing lies about myself and my art. But it's never too late.
You can't make it on talent alone: A beacon of hope for those who feel talentless; A tale of warning for those who rely too much on their natural giftedness. Take it as you want. But either way - Just show up. Do the Work. Be yourself. Offer the best you can right now. Keep following the path before you.
I heard Will Smith make a statement on the first episode of the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon. When Jimmy asked what advice Will gave his kids who are in show business, Will's answer was to make their Art a gift to others. As artists we have the opportunity to make someone smile. To brighten their day even just for a moment. Don't make your craft about pursuing success, but rather a gift to the world around you.
Talent gets you noticed and opens doors. Character and hard work lay the track for your best work, work that impacts your life and the lives of those around you.
Stop lamenting your lack of talent or opportunity. Give your gift of Art today. Someone in your world needs it.
{Photo Credit: Louis du Mont}