When you work together in a creative way, you have to be less
When you work together in a creative way, you have to be less selfish about your ideas and learn to let both parties feel valued. Of course, that's also a really great quality to have in a relationship, too.
The words of St. Lucia—“When you work together in a creative way, you have to be less selfish about your ideas and learn to let both parties feel valued. Of course, that's also a really great quality to have in a relationship, too.”—speak to the eternal art of harmony. They remind us that creation is not the work of one hand alone but the weaving together of many hands, many voices, many visions. Just as music becomes symphony when each instrument finds its place, so too do ideas become powerful when selfishness yields to cooperation and respect.
When he speaks of being “less selfish about your ideas,” he names the first enemy of collaboration: pride. Pride clings to its own voice and refuses to listen. Pride hoards credit and suffocates inspiration. In art, in love, in life, pride poisons the bond. To let go of selfishness is not to abandon one’s gift but to allow it to mingle with another’s, so that something greater may be born—something neither could have created alone. This is the heart of creative union, where surrender becomes strength.
The ancients understood this law well. Consider the dialogues of Plato: though Socrates shines as the central figure, his wisdom emerges only through conversation, through the clash and melding of voices. Or look to the builders of the Gothic cathedrals, whose soaring walls and stained glass were not the vision of one man but the accumulated labor of artists, masons, mathematicians, and dreamers. None claimed total ownership, yet together they lifted stone into heaven. Their lesson is the same: cooperation multiplies greatness, while selfishness diminishes it.
St. Lucia also binds this truth to relationships, declaring that the same humility that enriches creativity also sustains love. For what is partnership if not the blending of two visions, two desires, two journeys? The selfish heart demands to be heard alone; the loving heart makes space for the other. Just as in art, so in love: harmony is born when both are valued, when neither is silenced, and when each voice is honored. To create together—whether a song, a life, or a future—is to practice the art of unselfishness.
History offers us luminous examples. Think of the partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Each was brilliant in his own right, but together, when they set aside selfishness and let their ideas flow into one another, they created music that shook the world. Or consider the bond of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, whose marriage was not merely affection but collaboration—she in governance, he in reform and science. Their union flourished because both felt valued, each one amplifying the gifts of the other.
The meaning of St. Lucia’s words is therefore profound: in both art and love, greatness is never solitary. The lone genius may shine brightly, but the shared vision creates suns that burn longer, higher, and truer. To let another’s ideas live beside your own is to recognize that creation itself longs for communion. Whether in song, in conversation, or in partnership, it is the balance of self-expression and selflessness that gives birth to beauty.
For us, the lesson is clear: cultivate humility in collaboration. In work, do not cling so tightly to your own ideas that you suffocate the spark of others. In relationships, do not demand to always lead, but listen, share, and allow the other to feel honored. Practice the discipline of stepping back so another may step forward, knowing that in this dance both are uplifted.
The practical action is this: when next you work with another—whether in art, in labor, or in love—pause and ask, “Have I made them feel valued?” If not, shift, soften, make space. Give of yourself not only your ideas, but your openness, your patience, your willingness to blend. In this way, you will practice the eternal art St. Lucia names: the art of unselfish creation. And from such art, both beauty and love will be born.
Thus, let this wisdom be passed down: true creation is not the triumph of one, but the harmony of many. Let selfishness fall away, and let respect and humility guide your hand. For whether in the making of music or the building of love, the greatest works arise not from isolation, but from the union of souls who value one another.
TTNguyen Thu Thao
St. Lucia’s perspective on collaboration resonates with me, especially in the context of relationships. In any partnership, whether creative or personal, it’s essential that both sides feel valued. But how do we avoid losing our own voice in the process of compromising or being too selfless? Where do we draw the line between collaboration and compromising our values or creative integrity?
NTGia Nguyen Trinh
This quote makes me think about how selflessness is key in both professional and personal settings. However, is it always easy to be less selfish, especially when you feel strongly about your own ideas? How do we learn to let go of the need for control, particularly when there’s a lot at stake in a creative endeavor or in a relationship? Is it possible to find the perfect balance between contributing and listening?
TVMinh Thu Vu
I love the connection St. Lucia makes between creative collaboration and relationships. Both require a level of humility and mutual respect to thrive. But how do we handle situations where one person’s ideas overshadow the other’s? In both work and personal relationships, how do we ensure that both parties feel heard and valued without compromising the integrity of the project or the relationship itself?
HHoho
St. Lucia’s quote beautifully highlights the importance of collaboration, both in creative work and in relationships. It makes me wonder, though—how often do we truly practice this selflessness, especially when it comes to our ideas? In creative fields, it’s easy to become possessive over our work. But how do we balance our personal creative vision with the need for team input? Does this collaborative mindset come naturally, or is it something we need to actively work on?