On Broken-ness
Creative people, it is said, must suffer, must know anguish and despair before their art can take on depth, strength, universal appeal and the powerful impact of simplicity.” - Great Lives, Great Deeds-
A broken spirit makes a person susceptible to learning. To not merely see but perceive. Not only hear but listen. Not only experience but savor. And not only exist but live.
‘Broken-ness’ is a cruel requirement. But in most cases it proved to be true. It is the spur that wrench the truth from the heart and forced a person to search deeper, to see beyond what is evident.
It is apparent in the case of Rembrandt- as his burdens in debts grew, his art grew greater. Marie Curie lost Pierre in an accident and went on to discover radium. Albert Einstein had a divorce when he formulated the Theory of Relativity. Harriet Beecher Stowe was fighting for slavery when she penned the phenomenal ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’. The book was hailed as the single greatest influence that propelled Abraham Lincoln to wage war against slavery. So on and so forth.
Every creative people’s lives is a testimony to the power of ‘broken-ness’. Of its ability to drive the human spirit beyond saturation point and make them rise up to the occasion. ‘Broken-ness’. A very cruel requirement, I know. But ‘being broken’ serves its purpose. “Those who never tasted the bitterest of life’s bitter will never appreciate the sweetest of life’s sweets.”
So, if you are ‘broken’, you are in the midst of a huge opportunity. Use it well.
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