The inspiration behind the Chunk of Doubt series began on an early spring hike in the Southern California desert. Rushing water filled usually dry creek beds, making it necessary to take small leaps between the rocks. Even though the creek crossings were not so vast, I froze with fear. That reminded me of how I often sabotage myself: erecting a wall of fear that prevents me from doing something I’m perfectly capable of doing. The same thing often happens intellectually: a chunk of doubt keeps me from tackling solvable problems.
My hiking companion, a talented artist, asked, “What do you think that doubt looks like? Why don’t you explore it in your work?”
So every morning after my traditional calligraphy practice, I began that exploration. The more I explored doubt, the less I viewed it as completely negative. Now I believe that possessing doubt can be a crucial ingredient for growth. Indeed, doubt often saves us from the tyranny of certainty.
Chunk of Doubt
The inspiration behind the Chunk of Doubt series began on an early spring hike in the Southern California desert. Rushing water filled usually dry creek beds, making it necessary to take small leaps between the rocks. Even though the creek crossings were not so vast, I froze with fear. That reminded me of how I often sabotage myself: erecting a wall of fear that prevents me from doing something I’m perfectly capable of doing. The same thing often happens intellectually: a chunk of doubt keeps me from tackling solvable problems.
My hiking companion, a talented artist, asked, “What do you think that doubt looks like? Why don’t you explore it in your work?”
So every morning after my traditional calligraphy practice, I began that exploration. The more I explored doubt, the less I viewed it as completely negative. Now I believe that possessing doubt can be a crucial ingredient for growth. Indeed, doubt often saves us from the tyranny of certainty.