In Awe of Opposing Feelings

On holding two opposing ideas at the same time.

Hello, Friends -

When I was younger, I thought feelings were black and white — good or bad — happy or sad. The idea of crying “happy” tears didn’t make sense to me. How could you be happy and crying? Now I know there are many ways to be both happy and sad at the same time — to hold nuanced feelings like grief and joy at the very same time.

“The test of first-rate intellect is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in your head at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

That’s one of my favorite quotes, and I think this concept translates into emotional intelligence as well.

It’s a humbling experience to learn more and more about the human condition and the complexities of our emotions. Humans are complicated creatures, and I find the opposing nature — the “yes, and” — completely fascinating.

Today’s comic is about two opposing feelings:

I’m often in nature when I catch this feeling of being small and insignificant and also totally full to the brim with life and gratitude. Vast and small. Or maybe more simply… in awe.

For you process nerds out there, this comic came together pictures first, words second. I had no narrative in mind when I was drawing. I just drew something I thought would be fun to draw, one panel at a time. No plan.

I used to think this “pictures first, words second” process was backward — and wrote about it before in The Benefits of Working Backward. But the more I turn to this process, the more it feels like just another way of working. I think the exercise speaks to how humans naturally assign meaning to images. We can’t help ourselves. Once I see a series of images, I start crafting a storyline. It’s gets my brain working in a non-linear way, and helps me dig into ideas I have sizzling, but may not have originated in words.

I scanned it in and eventually flipped the top two images as I worked through the writing process. Creating this comic was an excellent reminder that I love the flexibility and restraints of using both analog and digital tools. The result is something I never would have created if I had started words first. I love it when art feels like an act of discovery.

Thanks for reading!

In case you missed it, last week I shared a comic about a tiny hummingbird asking big questions in my post On Inheriting Fears.

xoxo,
Sheri

P.S. At the end of the month, I’m sharing ALL my August art downloads in one tidy post for paid subscribers. If you want printable goodies, upgrade to a paid subscription!