Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Quotes.

1. "I especially love watching Marcus Aurelius fighting his perfectionism in order to get back to work on his writing, regardless of the results. "Get a move on," he writes to himself, "and don't worry whether anyone will give you credit for it. And don't go expecting Plato's 'Republic;' be satisfied with even the smallest progress, and treat the outcome of it all as unimportant." Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds it endearing and encouraging that a legendary Roman philosopher had to reassure himself that it's okay not to be Plato. Really, Marcus, it's okay! Just keep working."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

2. "He told them that they must live their most creative lives as a means of fighting back against the ruthless furnace of this world. Most of all, though, he asked his students to be brave. Without bravery, he instructed, they would never be able to realize the vaulting scope of their own capacities. Without bravery, they would never know the world as richly as it longs to be known. Without bravery, their lives would remain small—far smaller than they probably wanted their lives to be."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

3. "This is likely because you’re so consumed by your own dramas, anxieties, distractions, insecurities, and duties that you aren’t receptive to inspiration."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

4. "She did a little soul-searching, the way one does on the big birthdays. She asked herself when was the last time she’d felt truly light, joyous, and—yes—creative in her own skin. To her shock, she realized that it had been decades since she’d felt that way."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

5. "You do not need anybody’s permission to live a creative life."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

6. "I do what I do because I like doing it."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

7. "My fear wasn’t some kind of rare artisanal object; it was just a mass-produced item, available on the shelves of any generic box store."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

8. "I had creativity within me that was original; I had a personality within me that was original; I had dreams and perspectives and aspirations within me that were original."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

9. "All I know for certain is that this is how I want to spend my life—collaborating to the best of my ability with forces of inspiration that I can neither see, nor prove, nor command, nor understand. It’s a strange line of work, admittedly. I cannot think of a better way to pass my days."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

10. "I even have a welcoming speech prepared for fear, which I deliver right before embarking upon any new project or big adventure. It goes something like this: Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting—and, may I say, you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There’s plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still—your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You’re not allowed to touch the road maps; you’re not allowed to suggest detours; you’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear