An Ache to Create

Link to my new Imagine Dragon's fav song "Bleeding Out"

I just discovered  the band Imagine Dragons

(their hit song "Radioactive" was featured on the soundtrack

of the film "The Host"). I loved the band's sound, and my 

husband bought me the album, Night Visions, the next day.

In researching them online, I discovered their lead singer-

Dan Reynolds-has struggled with depression and anxiety his entire life. This struck me as intriguing due to a quote I heard from Flagstaff-native author Mary Sojourner a few years back: "I wonder how many women and men who have been labeled depressives are artists starving for their work."

In 2 different interviews, Reynolds shared:

“It’s an ongoing battle for me; I don’t think anyone who struggles with it can ever kick it fully. I don’t want it to be some sob story. It’s just dealing with life, and life isn’t always unicorns and green fields,"  and "For some people, it's in their blood to be happy. Other people have to work for it...it's definitely something I struggle with." But he added, " Music has been my way out; it's the light at the end of the tunnel. That's why I chose to pursue it." 

He also shared:

"I always leaned more toward the creative side...I’m probably an overly emotional person and write from an 

emotional place. At the end of the day, I hope to leave a message that betters (a listener's) life in some way 

rather than detracts from it, and that it uplifts them. Or, a darker, sad song that they connect with so they don’t feel so alone.”

I really related to his comments and have found myself in a similar place of needing and wanting to create to 

deal with what's going on in myself, in my life, and to help others. In essence, I've been experiencing an ache to create.

I think we depressives could learn from Reynolds' experience and enjoy more fulfillment, joy, and success in 

our lives if we too listened to our hearts and pursued our dreams with more faith in ourselves and our abilities...if we stop letting fear be our guide and let faith in God and ourselves move us forward.

"I was too afraid of my heart being broken if my dreams didn't come true," Reynolds shared, "so I never said anything (about his musical desires). I tried to do the best I could with what I had; what would come, would 

come. So to be here now (performing to sold-out audiences) it's a crazy thing."

Check out more of his story at: www.imaginedragonssmusic.com

Today's Goal: Create! Use my emotional energy-positive or negative-to create something to help myself and 

others.