Written by The cliché “There is a fine line between genius and insanity” is so true. We have seen that fine line produce stars like Michael Phelps, Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), and Steve Harvey. These people are examples of the genius side of creativity. On the other hand, Kate Spade, Robin Williams, Kurt Cobain, and Junior Seau are examples of people that crossed over the line. Imagination will guide you beyond your wildest dreams but can also drive you mad.
Les Brown was talking about a statistic related to millionaires. He said, “8 out of 10 millionaires have been financially bankrupt.” (Brown) Later in his speech, he discussed that the maker of Mickey Mouse, the famed legendary Walt Disney, suffered two nervous breakdowns while he was building his Disney brand. Given all the negativity around creativity, why would anyone want to pursue it? The answer is just as sharp as the blade of that double-edged sword. The desire to be considered significant, elite, or help further humanity at all costs supersede the chances of becoming engulfed in grief or spiraling into depression.
Interestingly, over 280 million people worldwide (World Health Organization) are depressed, and grief impacts people daily through finances, job loss, bereavement, or divorce, just to name a few scenarios. It seems that one can be subject to the grief/depression aspects of life without receiving the accolades of fame, fortune, or celebrity.
The human desire to express ourselves and want to be considered for our efforts are a couple of things that keep humans pushing under the most adverse of conditions. Also, if a person has been grinding for a long time without success but has also seen shimmers of its presence, that forces the desires of many to stay in the hunt; however, that hunt can be elusive and ripe with peril. Those who seek it also feel that mediocrity’s threats are just as dangerous or even more. That nagging should have, could have, would have thoughts of regret. A June 27, 2019, article on The Guardian News magazine’s website discussed regret’s damaging effects. The report stressed that mental health could be majorly affected. The writer stated, “Regret can be all-consuming, and it can destroy lives.” (Sarna)
To further stress (no pun intended) the unhealthy effects of regret, a professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral science at the University of Virginia said, “Dealing with regret is even more difficult because of the other negative emotions connected: remorse, sorrow, and helplessness. Regret can increase our stress, negatively affect physical health and throw off the balance of hormone and immune systems. Regret is not only unpleasant. It is unhealthy.” (Penberthy)
It is evident that not attempting is just as dangerous as attempts to do. It takes the conscious decision to place your mind and body in positions that can cause grief and depression. Many are not willing to sign up for that, not understanding that the inverse can lead to mental and physical problems in the future. In essence, you are trading the pain of now for the pain of a later, that one feels they may have escaped by not attempting.
It inevitably separates those who do extraordinary things from those who live within society’s status quo. Hearing many horror stories of those that tried and failed plays a significant role in human thinking and may allow some to believe that “not doing” is more beneficial than “doing.” Grief can weigh heavy, and because people cannot predict when it will occur, how one accepts it will determine the course of action. Most of society chooses to see the situation that caused their grief or depression in the way society tells them to react to it. That reaction may come with running away from the pain. The decisions to do or not are based on the immediate act of commitment or the eventual action that is an attempt to run.
The people that choose not to run may end up not making it by society’s standards. Still, many personally feel that their journey down the path they took was well worth it, and those that make it often become the celebrities and legends that mere mortals look up to and want to emulate. The difference between completion and regret is apparent. All people can make their worlds happen, but their desire must be strong. That desire must align with the agreement to pursue the goal under all conditions. Difficulties that may result in grief and or depression may accompany the attaining of those goals—the earlier example of Walt Disney was clear.
In his own words, Disney states, “I had a hell of a breakdown…I got to the point that I couldn’t talk on the phone. I’d begin to cry.” (Disney) The trade-off of the desire to make it happen can be the stress and anxiety that are symptoms of the grief and depression related to seeking the goal. Many in society feel that the costs are too high and are unwilling to pursue their dream for fear of succumbing to some of the adverse effects of the pursuit. Again, close to 280 million people suffer from depression (World Health Organization), and many have not committed to a quest to find a better version of themselves. Instead, they have become depressed and grief-stricken by the normalcy of daily activity.
I heard Jim Rohn Say, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” (Rohn) It takes proper discipline to accomplish tasks, especially when you are not seeing anything from your efforts. One must have faith and belief before it materializes. Kevin Hart talks about his years of industry failings and humble beginnings before his big break. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” (Churchill)
The grief and depression associated with climbing the hill of success are parred for the course. It is the price one must pay to achieve any level of success, whether public or personal. The person pursuing the goal must decide if the goal is worth the hardship or if the quest will become a fleeting fancy. Many desires for better are cut short once people realize how difficult those goals will be to accomplish. Grief and depression become obstacles to overcome and draw out some incredible creativity in the process. As discussed, in addition to Clapton, The Rock, Kevin Hart, and others have used their grief and depression to their advantage and, in the process, brought a greater good to humanity; they also are achieving their personal goals. Through the genera of music, movies, or comedy, they allowed the negative to act as fuel for their growth.
Using the difficulties to get you to a better version of yourself is a complex concept to grasp by those not willing to pursue it. When it is self-induced, however, one has decided to sign up for the madness. These people understand the Jim Rohn concept and want to avoid carrying the weight of tons of regret. These people believe they have something valuable to contribute to the world, and that contribution will be made at any cost. It is significant when a person is willing to take the adverse circumstances of life to achieve the rewards of success, freedom, and gratification. It indicates that the person felt they were called to pursue the task. Those who wonder why a person will push themselves so hard for a possibility fail to understand that it is about pursuing goals (the journey). The result is a rewarding prize on the way. Those who use their skills to help humanity understand that they are doing it even though they may not be immediately rewarded (or, in some cases, at all). For example, Edgar Allen Poe died poor, but decades later, his writings entertained the world.
Grief and depression can be powerful tools in pursuing greatness and goal achievement. Any form of creative expression, from dance to invention, will have its ups and downs. The goal is to live for the up and recognize that the down periods were beneficial in pursuing and completing that goal. There will never be a trouble-free existence, so instead of looking to avoid the inevitable, learn to harness it and use its power to your advantage. Seeing the rewards that have come from your challenges and the beauty created are genuine reasons to continue pursuing goals, even considering the incoming hardships brought on by grief and depression. Use them as tools because they have been using you as theirs.
Bibliography
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