The Fire Within

January 2, 2025


There’s a singular truth that drives us all, whether we admit it or not: everything depends on oneself. The fire within each of us, however small or immense, is the spark that lights the way forward. It is not some external force that shapes our destiny, but the force we cultivate within our own hearts. It is the very flame that illuminates our creative spirit, driving us to craft, to express, to explore.

This fire, the essence of who we are, burns brightly in countless ways. It’s the force behind every word we write, every brushstroke we make, every note we play. It’s the engine of art, of life, of everything that gives us meaning in this world. We are all artists, each in our own right, and it is this internal fire that differentiates us from the rest of the noise and chaos that surrounds us.

The Million Flames of the Soul

Imagine the soul as a vast, endless landscape, dotted with a million tiny flames. Each flicker represents a different desire, a different dream, a different piece of who we are. Some flames burn steady and bright, others flare up in short bursts before fading out, but all are part of the same fiery whole.

This is where art begins. It doesn’t start with tools or technique or even the finished work—it starts with that internal blaze. It starts with the decision to follow that inner call, to stoke the fire of self-expression, to translate the impulses of the heart into something tangible. Everything we create is a result of this internal combustion. It is the manifestation of our own essence, and nothing else can carry the same weight, the same power.

It’s easy to become distracted by the opinions of others, by the constraints of the world around us, or by the idea that we need permission to be who we are. But the truth is, the rest of it—external validation, accolades, expectations—is nothing. Insignificant. It is the fire in our souls that matters. The act of creation is the act of becoming, of breaking free from the limiting forces and standing as a unique force unto oneself.

Artist’s Journey: Why I Am Who I Am

When I reflect on my journey as an artist, I realize that it is not my talent that has defined me—it’s my willingness to tend to that fire, to listen to the whispers of my soul, to trust in the power of my own voice. I am the artist that I am because I’ve learned to follow the rhythm of my own heartbeat, the pulse of my own desires, even when the world around me says otherwise.

Similarly, you, the reader, the creator, the dreamer—you are the artist you are because you, too, have chosen to live in harmony with your own inner fire. It may manifest in different ways, through different mediums, but at its core, it is the same force. You have chosen to create, to express, to be vulnerable in the face of the unknown, and that is what makes your work uniquely yours.

The artist does not wait for permission. The artist does not seek the approval of the masses. The artist trusts in the flame within and allows that fire to guide them to places unknown, to places of profound transformation. Without this internal force, we are merely drifting, reacting to external circumstances. With it, we are creators, shaping the world in our own image.

Work as a Diary of the Soul

When we create, we are not simply putting our skills to work or crafting something for the world to admire. We are leaving a record, a trail of breadcrumbs marking our journey through time. Every piece of art is a diary entry, a note that says, This is where I am today.

Art is not static. It doesn’t stand still or exist in a vacuum. It evolves as we evolve, and in turn, it helps us understand the passage of time. The work we create reflects the changes in our heart, our mind, our spirit. It is not just a product; it is a living record of our inner landscape, a mirror to the soul.

Think about it: each piece of art, each creation, marks a moment in time. Whether it’s a poem written on a quiet afternoon or a painting done in the throes of intense emotion, it is an imprint of the self at a specific point in life. It tells the story of who we were, who we are, and perhaps even who we might become. Art is our personal journal, a visual or auditory testament to our own growth, our own battles, our own victories.

From time to time, something extraordinary happens—an epiphany, a breakthrough, a burst of insight. These moments may not come every day, but they are woven into the fabric of our creative output. And they happen because we show up. We continue to stoke the fire. We trust that even on the days when the spark feels faint, it is still there, waiting to catch flame again.

The Passage of Time in Every Stroke

Just as a journal marks the days, so too does art. The act of creation is a form of timekeeping. We are capturing a fleeting moment in the eternal flow of time, marking our passage from one stage of life to the next. In a world where everything seems to move too fast, where days blur into one another, the act of creating allows us to slow down, reflect, and preserve. It is an act of presence, an acknowledgment that the moments we live through are worth capturing, worth preserving in some way.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the work we do tells a story of the time we’re living in—of the struggles we face, the beauty we find, the dreams we chase. It’s a record of who we are, not just in this moment, but as we transform, as we change, and as we evolve.

The Fire Within

When you feel doubt creeping in, when the world around you seems to be spinning in chaos, remember this: Everything depends on oneself. The world may change, but the fire in your soul—your creativity, your inner drive, your vision—is yours to keep. It’s the fire that fuels everything. It’s the reason we create, the reason we grow, and the reason we are the artists that we are. And in that fire, something extraordinary happens. We mark the days. We make our mark on the world. And in doing so, we become timeless.