Something From Nothing

A singular suitcase, all essentials neatly in place—three outfits; underwear; pajamas; a notebook; and comfortable walking shoes. With my passport in one hand and my Polaroid camera slung over my shoulder, I waved goodbye to my family and boarded the jetliner for my trip abroad. For 30 days, I traversed Britain and Europe experiencing secret coves, haunted castles, quaint country gardens, Swiss chateaus, Dutch windmills, museums, art galleries, and legendary churches. The days and terrain whizzed by leaving a blurred impression until I stepped inside the Accademia Art Gallery in Florence. There before me stood David, 17-feet of magnificently carved marble. I simply couldn’t stop gawking! How did Michelangelo create David in his mind then painstakingly chisel away for three years to create something from nothing? The next day I found myself inside Vatican City gazing up at the Sistine Chapel mesmerized by the colors, details, and strokes of the artist’s brush. Four years after creating David, Michelangelo began work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling—a project that consumed another four years of his life. Again, Michelangelo created something from nothing. Just how did he have the patience to dedicate himself to such an enormous project? Weeks later I returned home and believe I took a bit of every place I visited with me. It was as if the act of touching those places, walking those roads, and asking those questions added another dimension to my being. The only possible explanation I found for that feeling was that a spirit existed in many of the places I visited; a spirit existed in me, and the two had somehow met in the course of my travels. Now many years later, I often stare at the blank screen before me—overcome with the enormity of a writing project—much like how I imagine Michelangelo stared at unfinished marble or a blank ceiling. With each keystroke on my computer, I create something from nothing. Perhaps the spirit I experienced during my travels was the same one I witnessed in Michelangelo's art and is the same one I evoke when I sit down to write. “What is it?” I ponder. creativity the spirit dwelling within expressing itself creativity courage that's personified in one’s heart and mind creativity treasured masterpiece of words using quill and ink creativity a glorious mystery imagination<>