Sometimes we feel such a heavy pressure to be the source of all our greatness. We think that every good idea, every kind word, or every beautiful moment must be manufactured entirely by our own strength and intellect. But Piet Mondrian offers us such a beautiful, liberating perspective when he suggests that the artist is actually humble, acting essentially as a channel. This means that the true magic doesn't start with us; it flows through us. When we stop trying to force the greatness and instead focus on being open, we find a much deeper connection to the world around us.

In our everyday lives, this shift in perspective can change everything. Think about those moments when you are working on a project, cooking a meal, or even just gardening. If you approach these tasks with the need to prove how talented you are, you might feel stressed and stiff. But if you approach them as a way to let beauty flow through your hands, the work becomes effortless. You aren't the creator of the beauty; you are simply the person making space for it to arrive.

I remember a time when I was feeling particularly stuck and uninspired, trying so hard to write something profound that I ended up with nothing but frustration. I felt like a dry well. It wasn't until I sat quietly, took a deep breath, and decided to stop trying to 'be' the writer and instead just listen to the world around me that the words began to trickle in. I realized I didn't need to invent the inspiration; I just needed to clear the clutter from my mind so the inspiration could find its way to me.

We can apply this to our relationships and our kindness, too. We don't always have to be the ones who 'invent' love or patience. We can simply be the vessels that allow compassion to pass through us to someone else who needs it. It takes the ego out of the equation and replaces it with a sense of wonder and humility.

Today, I invite you to take a little pressure off your shoulders. Instead of trying to be the origin of all good things, try being a clear, open channel. Ask yourself, what beautiful things might flow through me today if I just let go of the need to control the outcome?