FREE BIRD CHALLENGE
In 2019, I decided it was time to liberate myself from the “prison of perfectionism.”
I imagined a future where I had finally ‘done enough’ or ‘proved enough’ to allow myself the freedom to create. But that future was perpetually out of reach.
Then I thought, “If I already believed I had done enough, what would I do creatively?”
Immediately, an image came to mind of a bright electric green guitar 🤘.
I went online and searched for “green guitar” and found one in the perfect shade of green (my only actual criteria) and did the most outrageous thing I should think of: my first Facebook Live.
I declared myself “a prisoner of perfectionism” and invited others to bust out of jail with me.
Then I “played” Imagine by John Lennon on my new green guitar to an audience that included former classmates I hadn’t seen since elementary school.
Soon afterward, I got together with my friend, Erik, (also a financial planner and fellow southerner) who had also always wanted to play guitar and struggled to find the time (busy business, two kids) and together we started the FREE BIRD CHALLENGE, where we traded weekly videos as we attempted to learn the song Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
As time went on, it became less a way to learn Free Bird, and simply a way to express our own individual ideas of freedom and the joy of creative practice without perfectionism standing in the way.
What’s your version of the “green guitar?”
I invite you to share it by joining the FREE BIRD CHALLENGE!
FREE BIRD PROCLAMATION
HEAR-YE, HEAR-YE.
WHEREAS the FREE BIRD CHALLENGE has existed since the first of June, two-thousand nineteen, to encourage courageous acts of creative expression.
WHEREAS the group continues to attract brave new FREE BIRDS.
WHEREAS creativity is a natural part of living and being human.
WHEREAS there is a tendency for creative expression and experimentation to fade as we get comfortable in our habits, prioritize productivity, attempt to meet expectations, achieve standards of perfection, and worry about looking good in front of others.
WHEREAS we the people, the FREE BIRDS, recognize the need for ongoing creative practice to (re)awaken a more alive version of ourselves.
WHEREAS we long for more FREEDOM! That all human beings are free to be self-expressed, free from perfectionism, fear and worry that stand in the way of the joy of creative expression. FREE TO CREATE.
WHEREAS, this group is inspired by the song, FREE BIRD by Lynyrd Skynyrd, but not limited to expressions of this song exclusively.
WHEREAS we are dressed in goofy hats and making this whole thing up.
THEREFORE, collectively we proclaim THE FREE BIRD CHALLENGE is a space to expand your creative expression.
THEREFORE the Challenge is for FREE BIRDS post updates to share your creative practice and celebrate exactly where you are in it however often YOU want.
MOREOVER we recognize it takes time to develop any new practice and we invite you to consider making a commitment to yourself of regular practice. We invite FREE BIRDS to imagine what difference expanded creative practice could make in your life and DECLARE it! Then engage in the Challenge of giving that gift to yourself to discover what blooms.
MOREOVER, we recognize that “falling off the wagon” is a normal part of developing a new practice. We are human! We celebrate our human-ness. One of the most beautiful and important parts of this Challenge is to be a space that we have the freedom to BEGIN AGAIN today.
FURTHERMORE, we recognize the gift of a supportive COMMUNITY in this mighty endeavor and we choose to cheer for each other in the creative process and CHAMPION one another with encouraging comments.
ERGO, your maiden post and self-initiation to the challenge is a proclamation of your own human right to be a FREE BIRD, and share the phrase “FREE BIRD!” in whatever form, with (mucho) gusto.
FURTHERMORE, sporadic barbaric YAWPing of the phrase FREE BIRD is heartily and always encouraged.
HENCEFORTH, FREE BIRD