Building Anyway: Choosing Imagination When Others Doubt

Sensible, practical, in-the-box life stories. Are you tired of ’em? I sure am. I always have been - especially when they’re used to silence imagination, dreams, and possibility.  I chase light. I chase strength. I chase rainbows, good feelings, and acting. To live fully - or create anything - I need imagination, focus, resilience, and a truckload of faith.
 
…comments and advice from what I call they-sayers - those voices that sound practical but slowly drain your courage and vibrant enthusiasm. (Definition below)
 
        They-sayers: People (aka dream crushers) whose mouth run off season never ends with stinky opinions. They offer seemingly practical, sensible, or unsolicited advice when sharing a creative pursuit. This results in a twisted knot in your heart, tightening of your voice, self-doubt, and eyeballs that could potentially get stuck in an upward-rolled position. It reduces inspired action toward dreams and goals.
 
I’m listening more intently to responses people give when a hopeful dream or creative idea is shared. It’s alarming how often it’s shunned and shamed and the person is told to redirect themselves for the sake of “real practicality.”

Recently, I met up with a fellow actress. While waiting for lunch, we caught up on personal news. Her eyes lit up, as mine did, feeling the creative buzz when we spoke about acting projects. As our chatter turned toward the future, I noticed a change in her face. Her eyes darkened with sadness as she spoke about bringing more films and theatre to Montana. The crestfallen vibe grew so big I asked about it.
 
She rattled off self-doubting statements, “I don’t know if it’s possible. I can’t talk to this person or that person because…”  and regurgitated things people had said to her. I felt sucker-punched in my gut as she repeated comments and advice from those They-sayers. My soul nudged me, actually pushed me like fu***** hell, to interrupt and shift the course of that sinking-feeling conversation!
 
My big haired 80’s preacher was on the pulpit in my mind in a flash. I asked questions and made statements to stop and re-direct poorly made comments and advice. I threw off my dignity. With my mouth slightly full, talking with my hands like some of my favorite Italians… I spoke boldly to save her imagination, ideas, and energy from dying!

Too loud for the booth we were sitting in and fumbling for words, I sputtered that creative and new life endeavors often feel like Noah must have felt building his ark. His soul called him to build an ark. In the midst of they-sayer chatter and ridicule he followed that soul call anyways. He built it. He boarded. Because of his focused choice and actions, his world survived.
 
With tears slightly welling up in both of our eyes, I watched her spark return. We felt the shift - from torn-up mental energy to a wholeness of heart. As I left our lunch, I felt I’d done a good thing helping my friend re-direct her thinking and feelings toward what’s possible. I reminded her she is not alone; I am building my creative "ark" and life too.
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Later in the day though, I felt small again. I remembered times I faced similar crappy advice, snarky comments, and ridiculous responses while creating something. I felt my spirit shrivel -and this time, I noticed it. I made a choice to expand back into my imagination and redirect my thoughts and heart to what I am doing to support the next level of my acting career.

Again and again, I’ve seen meaningful creation begin when imagination is allowed breathing room. Nurturing words go a long way in holding that space. That space is something I care deeply about - and something I’m committed to protecting in my life and work.
 
I don’t want a shriveled, fearful life guided by They-sayer mouth run off comments. I am building my life and art from curiosity, imagination, and courage -even when it makes me talk with my mouth full and my words aren’t perfect. I choose to speak and create from my heart.
 
I’m actively building my creative life, one brave choice at a time. I share that process—the wins, the doubts, the becoming – stay connected over on my social platforms.
 
Keep finding your light.
I’ll be doing the same.

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