Friday, June 17, 2005

quote of the day

Yesterday, I was picking up some music from a friend and colleague who directs the choirs at a local university. She has lots of quotes hanging outside her office door, to inspire her students. I saw this one, which has always been one of my favorites. I'd forgotten how much it inspires me:

"There is a Vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you in to action. And, because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

And, if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open... no artist is pleased... there is no satisfaction whatever, at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching, and makes us more alive than the others." ~Martha Graham, in a letter to Agnes deMille

2 comments:

Gia-Gina said...

I so agree with this quote, you are chasing your dream, a real quote come to life right before our very eyes!

Lane said...

My piano teacher in college used to quote Martha Graham all the time. He had actually studied with her. This brings back such memories.