Blythe Ayne, Ph.D.

A New Renaissance

When pondering how I would shape and focus a self-named web site, I came upon the challenge of what aspect of self to honor.

I wrestled with a long-ago conversation I had with a professor, (a wrestle I’ve had many times since) who told me that I could not be – nor do – all the beings I was being, and all the doings I was doing. He said it was not possible for one person to have many talents. That a person, if fortunate, had one good talent, and ought to simply focus there. And that’s all folks.

I was at that time working on my doctoral dissertation, I was a teaching assistant for the chair of my committee, I was working temp jobs as an executive secretary, I was writing and getting published articles, short stories and poetry, I had my photography in several galleries and shows, and I was a professional, classic, Danse Orientale dancer (belly dancer) in several upscale night clubs in L.A. and Orange County by night. Among other things.

Now, this professor was not simply a run-of-the-mill professor, but was someone significant on the world’s stage, conceiving a kind of math (within the realm of social science) that I never was able to wrap my mind around, and he was famous in his own spheres. Bceause of this, I respected him and his opinions, and I tried to fit his insistence that I could not be all that I was, with the picture he presented – that of a genius – with but one outstanding talent.

He was correct for himself, but incorrect for me. Even as a child, I would take on ten or twelve 4-H projects every summer - animals, sewing, baking, etc., when most of the other kids would do two or three projects. I would read a book every day, when the summer assignment was a book a week, and wrote short stories and tons of poems.

It never crossed my mind that I was taking on a lot. I just desired with every fiber of my being to learn, to know, to do, and to create. I journeyed here to this three-dimensional, incredibly beautiful planet for the purpose of taking physicality to it’s physical and spiritual limits... because, for me, in the midst of creation is where I am enlightened.

I didn’t realize those words, or that thought process as a child, I just knew when my mind and hands were creating my soul was in a non-time zone, that all was more than well, all was more than beautiful. I was One with the Creator, One with the Creative Force.

I was a young adult when I had the epiphany that the way in which we are created in the likeness of God is that we are gifted with the ability to create. Not that God has arms and legs and a head, and we are like that. But that the god-force, the creative energy, longs to, is driven to, and is passionate to create....

And so am I.

Why am I sharing this at the launch of my site?

Because of how I’ve wrestled with daring to locate in one place my various explorations of insight, creativity, inspiration and self-manifestation, flying in the face of those I’ve heard say “niche yourself.”

I don’t argue with the idea that, when it comes to marketing, it is good strategy to find a corner, build a web and lay claim to it like a tenacious little spider. I’ve seen many spiders do this and live nice, long, happy, well-fed lives by finding a spot and capitalizing upon it. And I too have several niched presences on the wild wild web.

But I also feel the urge not only to have one place where my various creations and expressions are housed and can be visited with scope intact, but also to encourage and to make a case for Renaissance People everywhere. I’ve met them again and again, and have seen them question themselves, treat some of their talents like shirt-tail relatives, and make apologies for their rainbow of gifts.

A new day is dawning, and the full-spectrum genius of Renaissance People is much needed, as we puzzle a fragmented world and fragmented societies together.

As a psychotherapist I’ve seen people’s lives change incredibly for the better while they experience true joy and happiness in their self-fulfilling manifestations and creations. I’ve become highly motivated to work more and more with Renaissance People, and the care and nurturing of many talents.