I just returned from spending two weeks in Oceanside with my twelve-year-old granddaughter while her parents (my daughter and son-in-law) celebrated their anniversary in Costa Rica.
'In order for evil to succeed, good men (and women) do nothing' (can't remember the exact quote).
I don't think finding joy in your work or caring about (and helping) others is a dichotomy.
If people like you, who have done good things and tried to make society a better place, stop, then the greedy/selfish ones win.
It's a tricky balance because you can't keep giving or you end up like a raisin. But, providing joy for others gives hope, and taking action (no matter how small) does make a difference if we all do a bit.
It is a tricky balance, James, like you say. The quote you reference is one I've used in the past in my advocacy work to motivate people to become involved politically. Another was, "If not us, who? If not now, when?" If this was happening when I was in my 30s or 40s or even 50s, when I was so politically engaged, I'd be right in the mix of things. But now I'm ready to let the younger generation of activists do the heavy lifting and be there to cheer them on from the sidelines while I still do my small part to make a difference. Thank you for reading this and sharing your thoughts. That too makes a difference.
I needed to read this because we, as writers or poets or creatives, keep playing with thw question of why we are doing the work that we do. For me, the struggle is between choosing writing over more profitable work. I am an engineer and a mother of two. I had to leave out something. So I left the job, and took up writing poetry instead. That's where my joy is at. I do have the privilege of being supported financially. But, the guilt is real. I'm just overlooking it.
'Perhaps choosing joy, living a life we love, if we are able, is the best each of us has to offer the world, no matter what the circumstances.'
I believe choosing joy is a sort of rebellion in itself. Doing what you want to do, and not what the world wants you to do, is another act of rebellion.
I totally agree with you, Namratha. Joy is an act of rebellion, as well as writing poetry and living a creative life. Feeling guilt about choosing joy in light of all the suffering going on in the world is a human reaction and comes from a compassionate heart. But it's also a negative emotion that tries to argue that others happiness is more important than our own sense of fulfillment. Yet it's out of a full heart that we have more to give to others. If we starve ourselves of that, what we have to offer others will be meager at best. I'm so glad you've chosen joy. It's what you would want your children to do too.
In Margaret Drabble's "The Radiant Way," three women become best friends in college and state early what they hope to do with their education. I want to change things, says the one who becomes a sociologist. I want to understand things, says the one who becomes a psychologist. You two ask for too much, says the third, who becomes an art collector and connoisseur. It's been a while since I've read the book, but I do remember this: the one who suffers most and experiences the most disappointment is the one who tries to change things.
I think one has to believe that Art is powerful enough to make a difference. That's my answer to your question. Thanks for being so honest in this very thoughtful piece. I feel you, my friend.
Thanks, Andrew. I'll have to get that book. I do know that activists trying to save the world have to constantly work to replenish their spirit to have the energy and heart to continue their work. Being the change you want to see in the world is one way to do that, and often is the most important way of changing the world. That's where I am now in my personal evolution, although it's always been my mantra: savoring the world is kin to saving it. Art has always been a powerful way to savor the world and throw light into it, which is a saving grace in itself.
If you look at it from the viewpoint of evolutions, that is, the ebb and flow of human history over generations, right now we are on spring tides, not neap tides. Holding back that tide, well, you may as well be like King Canute. The sea is a mighty force, as you know, and it is folly to argue with it. That is the answer to the first part of your question.
The second is that we struggle through life to self-actualise, for many reasons. We carry that weight. Then we chose to do those things, like painting or writing which not only carry meaning for us, they connect us with our ego and id and potentially unlock us and liberate the thing that make us the people we should be.
There are profound experiences that suddenly connect our bodies with external forces. I am thinking here of being at the helm of a boat in a brisk wind. Somehow you lose consciousness of the fact that you are flesh and the sea is an element. You become intensely and existentially part of a whole. You forget your puny body and at that moment, you are elemental.
Writing is a bit like that for me, but painting is more so. I get lost in painting and forget myself. Art can be a no-holds barred thing. It takes no prisoners, but I can benefit from that connection with it. Writing, less so, but if I couple that with an exploration or a theme that is going to push me, then it gets close. I am writing this for me as much as you because what you have said, I think, is vital to mental well-being.
I love your perspective here, Titus. I too try to look at what's going on from a historical perspective--the fall of Rome and other civilization, the rise of tyrants throughout the ages. Even the "never again" we all felt and feel after Hitlers rise and fall--yet here it is again happening in Ukraine, in Gaza. That ebb and flow. On a personal basis there's little we can do to stop the tides of time. But on a personal basis there's much we can do to bring light into the world, and artists and authors have done just that through the ages too. That inner joy and light and insight is not nothing. It's the only thing that does keep the light on in our own lives and as well as throwing what light we have and are out into the world as well. What you describe about your art is how I feel about my writing, and to a lesser extent when I was making art. That sense of oneness with the creative force which takes us out of ourselves and opens us up to a larger sense of self is a powerful healing presence, I believe. Light itself perhaps or the source of it.
Oh, Deborah, I so understand what you are saying. I do not WANT to block joy but sometimes she is overwhelmed by all the darkness at the moment. I suppose it doesn't help that it's still very much winter and we've had days and days and weeks of cold , gray, wet weather - I do always find joy in the light and dazzle of springtime (especially April).
I, too, am in that later in life moment and, even as I daily delight in two small granddaughters , I fear for their future on so many levels. I know I ruminate way too much on the darkness BUT I actively look for joy and even try to post some in a public setting so that others can take it in.
I made an agreement with myself that if I wrote a minimum of three emails a day (two senators, one rep) and made financial contributions that fit in my budget , then I could allow myself to breathe more. I could tell myself that this whole situation is too big for one tiny me but if I add my voice to a chorus of others we might make a difference. And then I could let myself relax a bit more.
Also? Also I stay curious. It is an engaging world in every respect. Let's see what happens next.
I hear you, Gracie. I too have felt overwhelmed by all the darkness going on, not just with what's happening here at home, but in Ukraine and Gaza and Somalia, and so many other places. Tiny me as you say can do very little if anything to eliminate the darkness but we must fight to keep it from crushing us and we can work to bring as much light as we can into the world from the little corner we occupy. What you are doing, your emails and donations are part of that light, and so are you, your love and the things you love and give you joy. Joy itself is a powerful resistance, I believe, and it's own light. Sometimes I forget that and feel guilty for the joy I feel in light of all the darkness and suffering going on. And then I have to consciously choose Joy over despair because despair is part of the darkness and joy is light. Thank you so much for sharing here. We are all in this together ❤️.
It's good to have that necessary break from the doom and gloom, and I am glad you had such a lovely time with your granddaughter. She is our future, and she needs strong role models like yourself (and, of course, her parents).
You ARE making the world a better place by writing and creating your art, Deborah. And we need writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and dancers to speak loudly. Your voice is being heard, and it IS making a difference. Thank you for what you do (and have done)!
'In order for evil to succeed, good men (and women) do nothing' (can't remember the exact quote).
I don't think finding joy in your work or caring about (and helping) others is a dichotomy.
If people like you, who have done good things and tried to make society a better place, stop, then the greedy/selfish ones win.
It's a tricky balance because you can't keep giving or you end up like a raisin. But, providing joy for others gives hope, and taking action (no matter how small) does make a difference if we all do a bit.
It is a tricky balance, James, like you say. The quote you reference is one I've used in the past in my advocacy work to motivate people to become involved politically. Another was, "If not us, who? If not now, when?" If this was happening when I was in my 30s or 40s or even 50s, when I was so politically engaged, I'd be right in the mix of things. But now I'm ready to let the younger generation of activists do the heavy lifting and be there to cheer them on from the sidelines while I still do my small part to make a difference. Thank you for reading this and sharing your thoughts. That too makes a difference.
I needed to read this because we, as writers or poets or creatives, keep playing with thw question of why we are doing the work that we do. For me, the struggle is between choosing writing over more profitable work. I am an engineer and a mother of two. I had to leave out something. So I left the job, and took up writing poetry instead. That's where my joy is at. I do have the privilege of being supported financially. But, the guilt is real. I'm just overlooking it.
'Perhaps choosing joy, living a life we love, if we are able, is the best each of us has to offer the world, no matter what the circumstances.'
I believe choosing joy is a sort of rebellion in itself. Doing what you want to do, and not what the world wants you to do, is another act of rebellion.
I totally agree with you, Namratha. Joy is an act of rebellion, as well as writing poetry and living a creative life. Feeling guilt about choosing joy in light of all the suffering going on in the world is a human reaction and comes from a compassionate heart. But it's also a negative emotion that tries to argue that others happiness is more important than our own sense of fulfillment. Yet it's out of a full heart that we have more to give to others. If we starve ourselves of that, what we have to offer others will be meager at best. I'm so glad you've chosen joy. It's what you would want your children to do too.
Deborah,
In Margaret Drabble's "The Radiant Way," three women become best friends in college and state early what they hope to do with their education. I want to change things, says the one who becomes a sociologist. I want to understand things, says the one who becomes a psychologist. You two ask for too much, says the third, who becomes an art collector and connoisseur. It's been a while since I've read the book, but I do remember this: the one who suffers most and experiences the most disappointment is the one who tries to change things.
I think one has to believe that Art is powerful enough to make a difference. That's my answer to your question. Thanks for being so honest in this very thoughtful piece. I feel you, my friend.
Thanks, Andrew. I'll have to get that book. I do know that activists trying to save the world have to constantly work to replenish their spirit to have the energy and heart to continue their work. Being the change you want to see in the world is one way to do that, and often is the most important way of changing the world. That's where I am now in my personal evolution, although it's always been my mantra: savoring the world is kin to saving it. Art has always been a powerful way to savor the world and throw light into it, which is a saving grace in itself.
If you look at it from the viewpoint of evolutions, that is, the ebb and flow of human history over generations, right now we are on spring tides, not neap tides. Holding back that tide, well, you may as well be like King Canute. The sea is a mighty force, as you know, and it is folly to argue with it. That is the answer to the first part of your question.
The second is that we struggle through life to self-actualise, for many reasons. We carry that weight. Then we chose to do those things, like painting or writing which not only carry meaning for us, they connect us with our ego and id and potentially unlock us and liberate the thing that make us the people we should be.
There are profound experiences that suddenly connect our bodies with external forces. I am thinking here of being at the helm of a boat in a brisk wind. Somehow you lose consciousness of the fact that you are flesh and the sea is an element. You become intensely and existentially part of a whole. You forget your puny body and at that moment, you are elemental.
Writing is a bit like that for me, but painting is more so. I get lost in painting and forget myself. Art can be a no-holds barred thing. It takes no prisoners, but I can benefit from that connection with it. Writing, less so, but if I couple that with an exploration or a theme that is going to push me, then it gets close. I am writing this for me as much as you because what you have said, I think, is vital to mental well-being.
I love your perspective here, Titus. I too try to look at what's going on from a historical perspective--the fall of Rome and other civilization, the rise of tyrants throughout the ages. Even the "never again" we all felt and feel after Hitlers rise and fall--yet here it is again happening in Ukraine, in Gaza. That ebb and flow. On a personal basis there's little we can do to stop the tides of time. But on a personal basis there's much we can do to bring light into the world, and artists and authors have done just that through the ages too. That inner joy and light and insight is not nothing. It's the only thing that does keep the light on in our own lives and as well as throwing what light we have and are out into the world as well. What you describe about your art is how I feel about my writing, and to a lesser extent when I was making art. That sense of oneness with the creative force which takes us out of ourselves and opens us up to a larger sense of self is a powerful healing presence, I believe. Light itself perhaps or the source of it.
Oh, Deborah, I so understand what you are saying. I do not WANT to block joy but sometimes she is overwhelmed by all the darkness at the moment. I suppose it doesn't help that it's still very much winter and we've had days and days and weeks of cold , gray, wet weather - I do always find joy in the light and dazzle of springtime (especially April).
I, too, am in that later in life moment and, even as I daily delight in two small granddaughters , I fear for their future on so many levels. I know I ruminate way too much on the darkness BUT I actively look for joy and even try to post some in a public setting so that others can take it in.
I made an agreement with myself that if I wrote a minimum of three emails a day (two senators, one rep) and made financial contributions that fit in my budget , then I could allow myself to breathe more. I could tell myself that this whole situation is too big for one tiny me but if I add my voice to a chorus of others we might make a difference. And then I could let myself relax a bit more.
Also? Also I stay curious. It is an engaging world in every respect. Let's see what happens next.
I hear you, Gracie. I too have felt overwhelmed by all the darkness going on, not just with what's happening here at home, but in Ukraine and Gaza and Somalia, and so many other places. Tiny me as you say can do very little if anything to eliminate the darkness but we must fight to keep it from crushing us and we can work to bring as much light as we can into the world from the little corner we occupy. What you are doing, your emails and donations are part of that light, and so are you, your love and the things you love and give you joy. Joy itself is a powerful resistance, I believe, and it's own light. Sometimes I forget that and feel guilty for the joy I feel in light of all the darkness and suffering going on. And then I have to consciously choose Joy over despair because despair is part of the darkness and joy is light. Thank you so much for sharing here. We are all in this together ❤️.
It's good to have that necessary break from the doom and gloom, and I am glad you had such a lovely time with your granddaughter. She is our future, and she needs strong role models like yourself (and, of course, her parents).
You ARE making the world a better place by writing and creating your art, Deborah. And we need writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and dancers to speak loudly. Your voice is being heard, and it IS making a difference. Thank you for what you do (and have done)!