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The power behind destruction




Pablo Picasso was one of the co-founders of the movement in art known as "Cubism," sometimes recognized as the most influential art movement of the 20th century. I find his work mostly rather difficult to look at. It's just not a style that I care for. But he was terribly influential not only in art but also music and literature - which have always been influenced by the artwork of the day.

This piece is entitled "The guitarist"
 I don't mind this one. It's a Picasso from 1910


Picasso said,

"Every act of creation is first an act of destruction."



In light of the recent news involving Nepal, the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and the resulting pictures, I've been thinking about this quote. Before we can make something, we have to have starting materials which sometimes have been created through destruction and then we create with these creations. It's a sort of chain effect. As they will begin to rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake, many of their building materials will come from those caused first by destruction. Also, the places they will build up have been destroyed by the earthquake which will then lend space for growth and creation.


destruction in Nepal


Can you see how this concept applies in your life?



The idea of going to medical school has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. It is near to the time when applications need to be submitted and fears of failure float around me constantly. Because of this, I've been contemplating the series of occasions that have led me to this point.  The creation of me as a doctor, has come through my own experiences in "destruction."



Let me explain what I mean by that. I had to have my old view of my future altered to make room for this new vision. I had to have my idea of my own limitations destroyed to make room for confidence in my own abilities. I had to allow the destruction of my pride and confusion and doubt. I constantly am re-destroying the concepts in that last sentence.

I enjoy this picture, drawn by a man who wrote an essay on this topic, Bobby Matherne in 2002:



It is an interesting concept - allowing destruction that creation might happen.

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