During a recent exercise in unearthing, or rediscovering, my creative essence (that neglected, often-denied, yet essential aspect of us all; which, in science, is associated with the right-hemispheric brain), an analogy emerged.
The analogy involves a nut—which by definition is a hard-shelled dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and interior kernel. As we know, the kernel or fruit of the nut hidden within the shell cannot create progeny until the shell decomposes, is cracked, or broken open. Hence, the nut must be “cracked” to discover its essence.
The image in my analogy is that of a pecan. The environment significantly affects the physical characteristics of a pecan—all four seasons, over cycles of years, result in each year’s crop being more or less plentiful, having thinner or thicker shells, and sweeter or less-flavorful meat. The tree producing the nut has evolved by responding to its environment—thereby improving the odds of its proliferation.
The pecan is analogous to our individual lives. Most agree that we humans have two essential components: 1) a physical package or vessel including our body/DNA and intellect/ego, and 2) the mystical Life within us that invigorates, enlivens, and flows through our physical package/vessel as long as we are alive. When this Life is no longer present, our physical package/vessel returns to dust.
Specifically, the pecan’s shell is analogous to our physical and egoic essence. The kernel or meat of the pecan is analogous to our mystical, transcendent, and creative essence—hidden within the shell.
The analogy: Just as with a pecan, each of us must realize and know that our creativity is encased in the protective shell of our physical/egoic identity. Our creativity, hidden from us within this shell, cannot emerge, be recognized, and shared until this deceptively obvious physical/egoic identity relinquishes its sovereignty in deference to that which enlivens, unites, and transcends us—Life. There are talented people who have studied and developed their talents, but the Michelangelos, Picassos, and Einsteins historically admit tapping into something transcending their intellects.
Does this analogy resonate with anyone else, or is it yet another tough nut to crack?
