1. You are able to create beauty even with a weak
foundation if you have an attitude of constructive
creativity.
The marble Michelangelo was given to
create "David" was substandard and he worked with
it, anyway. What in your life has both a weak
foundation and seems to be calling you to create
something with it?
2. You can make the "same thing" as other people
AND do it from a different perspective to produce
a completely different texture and experience.
Michelangelo created David before his big battle,
while traditionally he had been sculpted as the
victor, post battle. What have you been thinking
about taking action upon that "Everyone else
has already done before"? How can you
look at your idea differently?
3. You can adopt a project that originally
belonged to someone else and make it 100%
your own through both your passion and your
unique inventiveness.
Michelangelo's "David"
began its life as the work of Agostino di
Duccio. What a loss for the world if Michelangelo
had not taken the unfinished work of di Duccio
to form the timeless, classic, heart speaking
"David". Are there any intriguing, unfinished
projects abandoned by a colleague, friend or
family member that you would like to take
on as your own?
4. Craft your life and your life work with
the people you live with (or in terms of a business
or project, the reader, participant, audience,
student) at the forefront of your mind.
The
eyes of "David" are not formed anatomically correct:
they are actually looking in directions that are
not possible for human eyes to simultaneously look.
Michelangelo knew that when people looked at his
work "from profile" they would see one profile
and one eye, and when they looked from the other
side, they would see the other side....which
would look more impressive with the eye peering
slightly differently. Not a huge tweak, and not
noticeable unless you are eye to eye with the
sculpture, which is physically impossible unless
on scaffolding. It is almost like the special
effects in today's movies.
What tiny tweaks,
special effects, would attract and engage
people with your life and work?
5. Your life and work may bring about different
meanings for different people.
For some scientists,
"David" is an amazing study of human anatomy. To
others, it is a study of the human emotions. Some
art historians note there is anger in David's
expression. Others say the work is sculpted in
his moment of decision to enter battle, so he looks
expectant.
What would a scientist say about
your life and work? What about an artist?
How about a child?
6. When your life and work is appealing to a
wide audience and it gains fame and notoriety, other
people will capitalize on both you and the project.
Reproductions of "David" are available in many
forms. Even garden sculptures are available for
purchase. You can perch David right next to your
roses or daffodils or cactus if you choose to do so.
What might people choose to capture about your
life or work to launch their business?
7. Michelangelo crafted "David" in response to his
patriotic love for his home city of Firenze (Florence).
The sculpture whispered "Freedom" into his ears, as his
city had recently become free.
What in your life or
work is whispering "Freedom" to you? How can you take
that raw, heartfelt emotion and use it as a component
of your work, project and/or life? Do you feel a
sense of patriotism for your home? How can people
observe your expression of patriotism?
8. The sheer physical size of "David" is amazing: beyond
words, really. To say "Larger than life" is almost
amusing...except there is no other way to express it!
In what ways does your work, life or project have a
"larger than life" feeling to it? How does this
inspire you? If you feel fear in relationship to the
largeness of it, how can you step away from that
emotion and get grounded in the sheer joy of it rather
than the fear of it?
9. It took Michelangelo 3 years to complete "David".
Are you committed to a big project in your life enough
so you can allow three years to pass from start to
completion? Expecting a masterpiece to be crafted with
microwave speed is simply not always a possibility.
How can you remain open and committed to the time it
takes to create a masterpiece?
10. "David" was borne from Michelangelo's vision
and passionate action to transform that vision
from his own experience to a tangible experience
for all.
His famous words about his work are "I saw
the angel in the marble and carved until I set him
free".
What vision are you seeing that is waiting for
your special touch and guidance to set it free? What
passionate action are you willing to take to
set it free?
A work of art can teach us, reach us, in ways we
don't always notice at first glance. May "David"
inspire you to think differently, live
transformatively, and create fearlessly.
For more information about Michelangelo's "David," visit:
_____________________
Julie Jordan Scott inspires people worldwide to live more
passionate lives through her personal and group coaching,
teleclasses, seminars and free ezines so that they can
make more money, more time, better health and improved
relationships as they live with passion everyday.
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©2002 Julie Jordan Scott All Rights Reserved
Top 10 Life Lessons from Michelangelo's David