The Circus of Your Mind

Growing up my favorite story was Peter Pan. I loved the prospect of Neverland where no one aged, fairies befriended mermaids, and children could soar through the sky. This story meant so much to me, as it showed that the impossible can become possible if you just believe. Peter Pan has impacted the lives of children across the world, but what many of them don’t know is how much this story changed its author, J.M. Barrie.

Finding Neverland1, the on screen retelling of how Peter Pan was created, is a tale of creativity, imagination and believing in one’s self. The story begins with J.M. Barrie, a successful, but unhappy British playwright. He feels that he has lost his ability to imagine and create new plays. Attempting to regain his old spark, Mr. Barrie begins writing in Kensington Gardens where he meets Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four boys: George, Jack, Michael and Peter. He begins playing games with the boys in the park and develops a strong bond with them. Their games in Kensington Gardens fill Neverland (a place he had invented after his older brother passed away) with its variety of adventures and creatures. While Mr. Barrie felt happy once again with his new play, Peter Pan or the boy who wouldn’t grow up; his producers were not thrilled with this “insane” play.

No one had ever produced a play for children, nonetheless, one with flying children. The play eventually became a success, but Mr. Barrie suffered a period of persecution for his creativity since it perplexed many people. In the musical adaption of this film, the characters refer to Mr. Barrie’s mind as a “circus” even telling him that he has lost his mind.

As an artist I can relate to how Mr. Barrie felt when his producers criticized his play. It can be increasingly difficult to differentiate between the criticism you should listen to and the criticism you should ignore.  If you have a busy mind this is even worse. You begin questioning everything about your art, “Is it good enough? Is it creative enough? Is it too different?” This can be both frustrating and discouraging. Conforming to other’s opinions may seem simple, but you will never be happy if you give up on who you are. Creative and artistic people think differently than the average person. That’s what makes them unique. What might seem like insanity to one person is creative genius to another.

Every artist has insecurities, it is inevitable. Had J.M. Barrie given into his insecurities and the scrutiny of his peers Peter Pan would never have been born. Your ideas may seem strange and different at first, but once developed, they may become an inspiration to the masses. The artist must remember that creativity is a gift from God. Gifts from God are not wrong or evil, therefore you should never treat your creativity as if it is such. As long as this gift is being used to spread truth, beauty and goodness it is being used as God intended it to be used. No matter what the masses think of your art, you cannot take it to heart. Critics will be critics.

Even Christ was not popular during His time on earth. If you are doing His work here on earth, you should not expect to be popular either. Giving up may be simple, but as Saint John Paul the Great stated, “I plead with you-never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”2 Keep this in mind. Being an artist in today’s society is not easy, it takes courage and perseverance.

While it may seem daunting to be an artist, God does not give us more than we can handle. If God made you an artist, He knows that you can handle being an artist. I cannot recommend Finding Neverland enough, especially if you are a creative person. It reminds us that with imagination you can do anything.  Never sell yourself short. You are not “just” anything. As Mr. Barrie reminds young Peter, “What a horrible, candle-snuffing word. That’s like saying, ‘He can’t climb a mountain he is just a man,’ or, ‘That’s not a diamond, it’s just a rock.’ Just.”3

References:1 Finding Neverland. Dir. Marc Forster. Perf. Johnny Depp; Kate Winslet, Eileen Essell. Miramax Home;Entertainment:, 2004. ;2 Pope Saint John Paul the Great;Finding Neverland. Dir. Marc Forster. Perf. Johnny Depp,;Kate Winslet, Eileen Essell. Miramax Home;Entertainment:, 2004.