Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

–Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Today, I’m going to write about this quote.

At first, I want to scoff at this.  There is very prevalent belief in our society that genius is something secluded to the few, the elite, the special, sometimes the insane.

Either way, it is not easily made the commodity of the common man - but rather something built into ones genes.  And therefore, we all have a cop out.  I cannot be creative or a genius because my DNA doesn’t allow it.

It would seem that, until recently, our world been punctuated by seeking limits - reasons you and I could not achieve this or that, be something.    Whether it was through our social caste, income, or genetics, we have found ways to explain why we were ordinary instead of extraordinary.

Thus we have the image of the creative genius as half mad-man, half angel.  He is neither achievable, nor accessible, and not even desirable - else you are seeking insanity, or placing yourself above your mortal existance.  Seeking godliness is only allowed through modesty.

But what if we sought godliness as something that is already a part of us?  Potential, just waiting to be released to flourish?  When we say, “Seek the divine in all things,” as part of the Judeo-Christian faith, we recognize that “god” has touched and created all things.  So, are we not a part of godliness?  And therefore, are we not possible of the divine? 

(Forgive me my extrapolations - it has been a long time since I’ve delved into any mythological lore, including one so vehemently defended as Judeo-Christian belief systems.  I do not seek to deconstruct beliefs, but instead look to find the source of inspiration.)

So, I put my scoffing aside and allow myself to believe.  Believe that we all have the potential for greatness.  Believe that all people are created equal and each has the opportunity to blossom in the direction he or she chooses within.   As Steve Pavlina mentions in his post on motivation to achieve, we have roiling deities of creation pounding the walls to get out. 

Why, then…Love certainly IS the answer. 

• Love of yourself, to trust your inner voice.  To allow that divinity to break through, even though it may trash your household and your life as you know it. 

• Love of the work.  It takes a lot of work to be creative, and to do it over and over and over means one must somehow enjoy the work in that it leads to a finished product.

• Love of the art.  There’s a tiny part of you that must die in creation.  Energy is not created or destroyed, it merely changes.  Part of you must go into that art, and to touch that divine part of you may mean you get burned by its flame.  The passion of it consumes you, giving you little option to turn away from it.  Perhaps for a day, a month, a year.  But it is still there inside you, tinkering with the inner workings, finding a path for release.

 And in the mean time, you must fight the limits.  The limits you’ve allowed to be created around your life, the limits you’ve erected like fences.  That you cannot be both a mother and a dancer.  That you cannot be a good partner and an artist.  That you cannot be super intelligent and enjoy football.  That cleaning the house is more important.  That to follow your dreams is irresponsible. 

Greatness is just an extension of the possibilities that reside within you.