- The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
>
> A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him … a
> touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy
> is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is
> death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering
> necessity to create, create, create — so that without the creating
> of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his
> very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out
> creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really
> alive unless he is creating. ~ Pearl S. Buck, novelist, Nobel
> laureate (1892-1973)
When I was a young girl, I discovered Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth, and then I went on to read all of her books. Since an early age, I read everything an author says. Last week or so her name came up, and I forget the context, but I discovered Anchee Min’s latest book is about Pearl – a fiction book. Some critics say not as good as Anchee Min’s previous books which are cliffhangers, but anything she writes I read, and I was so glad to. It sounded so accurate.
At any rate, I think Pearl Buck probably changed or added immensely to my life as I think we are hungry for other lives, insights, and in essence, we feel as if we are that person – oneness through literature.
A few years ago, a friend said in an email, “This is you,” and then the above quote was imbedded in my email. I felt an immense relief. I am in the last chapters with much creativity and contributions ahead, but I remember my younger days of emotional pain, of therapy, tests, struggles, now knowing who I really was.
I think we all go through that forming journey; the who am I, and in our later years, we are answered, and think, “aah that’s it.” At any rate, I used to cringe that I was so sensitive. I wished I simply could not feel as much. People talked about getting in touch with their feelings, and I was trying to stifle them; they were too much.
Still time and writing, and a spiritual path, mine being the Baha’i Faith, where I firmly believe we walk the mystical path with practical feet, a path which has carved me out in order that love for others may fill me, a path of constant change. I no longer experience that twisting pain of feeling as if inwardly I felt my heart was a bruised peach pit; I have gained insights, clarity, a voice, more laughter, and it’s all a dance in one way. Still I cannot tell you how solaced and how solaced I still am by this quote of Pearl Buck’s. It gives relief to the DNA which is standing still thinking will epigenetics reveals its stamp. Luckily it has, but I know so little.
It’s exciting to have experienced a lot, learned a lot, and still always on the edge of knowing and learning; I sense epigenetics is one of my next themes.
Learning and walking the path – I can relate! I love the part about God carving you out to fill you with love for humanity – beautifully said, Esther! What is epigenetics? Guess I’ll find out in your next post…