Misery Feeds Into Creativity

Mythical Phoenix Rising Majestically From The Ashes

Talented people are in more ways than one peculiar in their behaviour and outlook. We may even consider them strange and difficult to understand, doing things out of the norm. Like all other human beings, they have their fair share of sorrow. In fact, they do appear to have it more abundantly than others do. Personal tragedies or otherwise, they suffer great disappointment, frustration and falling into depression, succumbed to drinks and drugs.

For all the fame and riches they may have, there is absolutely nothing, qualitatively or quantitatively, to be envied by others. Their lifestyle is like flashes of lightning with tremendous brightness shadowed by extreme darkness. One moment they are high up in the pedestal, next they are down in the dump, disappearing from public eyes or are confined to rehabilitation clinics and hospitalised for drugs and alcohol. Such is the nature and general trend of their lives whatever glamour and fame they may have. Broken marriages and family problems are their theme songs.

However, there are exceptions. Some are able to rise above their miseries, like the phoenix from the ashes, to sing and dance greater tunes. Some have the stamina and tenacity to stay on and intermittently making a comeback. Celebrities have a tremendous influence on the lives of their fans, changing lives through their music while undergoing changes themselves. One such singing celebrity is George Michael whose sensational life no doubt filled journalistic pages to capacity.

He, when intervied on Today Show, said something that reflect the creativity of all talented people: “Misery feeds into creativity.” We say when there’s a will there’s a way. I would emphatically say that if there’s a will there’s a way, provided it’s God’s way. Often self-realisation comes into play and something good always come out of the misery when touched by the angel and the hand of God . . . provided there’s a willingness to reach up and out. Many a great song and music were born out of misery . . . often superseding all previous numbers.

Each one of us is different, unique. We are all created in the image of God. We are God’s precious children. He loves us wherever we may have been, or whatever we may have done. When we ask how much He loves us, our Lord Jesus Christ stretched forth his hands and died for us on the cross. Our God is a creative God. Let His creativeness shines through in you.

Paul Chong

A Chinese by Descent

An Australian by Consent