German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche said, “We have art in order not to die of the truth.”
My translation: I make art so I don’t die of reality.
Does art make me invincible?
Nah. I will die of reality someday, but for now, my creative inclinations cushion the reality surrounding being alive. I use reality as a medium for art ,writing, even humor rather than let it hurl me into dejection, despair, and depression.... most of the time. Those feelings sometimes happen anyway, which I tame by naming and welcoming them as the usual culprits that come with the territory of life.
The “art” of which I speak is whatever ignites creative curiosity, inspires the rise out of armchair mentality and a jump off the high dive of courage into a pool of singularity, freedom, and fulfillment. Or simply invites a good time according to the creative code of who we are and what strums our inner mandolin.
This “reality” of which I speak is of a first world nature. There are no bombs, famine, or constrictions on freedom, thank you very much. My own challenges are minor compared to those of many, yet sometimes they thwart my ability to contribute to the world the way I want to. We do live in a world where the shadows often obscure the light. There's lots of light out there.
I wouldn’t literally “die” if I didn’t make art ... or write. But I’d be a lot less polite.
What about you? What does art, writing... anything creative bring to you? Make a little noise in the comments so I know you're breathing.
Love,
Jill
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