On responsibility.
03/13/10 07:34 PM
My life as of late has
been really full... too full, if you ask me. A few
too many responsibilities and obligations have put me
in a place where I strain to have the time to do some
of the things that are important to me, but that are
not necessarily urgent (i.e. "I'd like to do that,
but I can put it off, so I will." Rinse and repeat).
So where does that leave me? I'm ready to be a bit
irresponsible with my time (and perhaps a bit of my
money)! I'm ready to cut back on some of my
responsibilities and obligations, and have some more
flexible time to do the things that have been put on
the back-burner. Some of those back-burner items feel
like they're just going to be there indefinitely if I
don't make an effort to bring them forward. Some of
them are not small either, and are actually quite
important to me too! Leaving me with the question,
when does it become responsible to... well... cut
back on responsibilities? I think I'm definitely
there.
We all have different talents, skills, and things we enjoy doing that we should nurture. It's such an important part of our uniqueness, and it really helps us grow as individuals. That said, I get the feeling that it is way easier, and more socially encouraged, to nurture these talents if they have some obvious practical use. Purely creative stuff, like art stands in a strange place of being highly revered; the mark of high society, and at the same time it is often seen as totally unnecessary and frivolous. When we look back at history, the mark of a successful society is art... the abundance of art shows that things are going so well, that they have the luxury and free time to spend on activities that are not really necessary, such as art for art's sake (though it must be noted that a lot of art is functional... this is especially true of Japanese art history).
So, if we ascribe some sort of practicality to our create endevures, do they somehow become more valid just because we can then justify the time spent on it to others? I say not so! As creative, individual people, I believe we have a responsibility to do whatever it is we do well, and grow those talents. Grab your paintbrush, knitting needles, pens, stylus, keyboard, whisk, or whatever, and be creative. Talent is not something that we are just endowed with at birth to do well, not mater what. Talents are skills that have been sharpened and honed through years of practice and hard work... the kind of dedication that comes from truly enjoying and having a passion for something. If we don't dedicate time to these endeavors, we rob the world of the unique things that we have to offer... we rob the world of our potential.
So I guess I'm starting to see, and really take steps towards doing this more myself, and also seeing that this is something that should be done regardless of if it's a high or low priority for someone else. I know that taking time for oneself is not exactly something that most of society has a problem doing (especially here in America, where it is quite the opposite)... but for me, it can be a problem. I suppose my German side that is driven to be efficient and productive takes over. Right now, I could really stand to aim that drive back at a few things that are not "urgent" things, but are important, nonetheless. I love to work (even to work hard)... especially when it is doing something I care about, and that intersection, that glorious point in space and time, is where I do the best.
I'm ready to do some work for myself, and dedicate more time to the things that make me who I am. I'm ready to have some down time, and be rowdy... have a few drinks with friends, and maybe swear too much. I'm ready feed the things I love... the things that feed me back more than any bread can.
I'm ready to do a painting with some teeth.
We all have different talents, skills, and things we enjoy doing that we should nurture. It's such an important part of our uniqueness, and it really helps us grow as individuals. That said, I get the feeling that it is way easier, and more socially encouraged, to nurture these talents if they have some obvious practical use. Purely creative stuff, like art stands in a strange place of being highly revered; the mark of high society, and at the same time it is often seen as totally unnecessary and frivolous. When we look back at history, the mark of a successful society is art... the abundance of art shows that things are going so well, that they have the luxury and free time to spend on activities that are not really necessary, such as art for art's sake (though it must be noted that a lot of art is functional... this is especially true of Japanese art history).
So, if we ascribe some sort of practicality to our create endevures, do they somehow become more valid just because we can then justify the time spent on it to others? I say not so! As creative, individual people, I believe we have a responsibility to do whatever it is we do well, and grow those talents. Grab your paintbrush, knitting needles, pens, stylus, keyboard, whisk, or whatever, and be creative. Talent is not something that we are just endowed with at birth to do well, not mater what. Talents are skills that have been sharpened and honed through years of practice and hard work... the kind of dedication that comes from truly enjoying and having a passion for something. If we don't dedicate time to these endeavors, we rob the world of the unique things that we have to offer... we rob the world of our potential.
So I guess I'm starting to see, and really take steps towards doing this more myself, and also seeing that this is something that should be done regardless of if it's a high or low priority for someone else. I know that taking time for oneself is not exactly something that most of society has a problem doing (especially here in America, where it is quite the opposite)... but for me, it can be a problem. I suppose my German side that is driven to be efficient and productive takes over. Right now, I could really stand to aim that drive back at a few things that are not "urgent" things, but are important, nonetheless. I love to work (even to work hard)... especially when it is doing something I care about, and that intersection, that glorious point in space and time, is where I do the best.
I'm ready to do some work for myself, and dedicate more time to the things that make me who I am. I'm ready to have some down time, and be rowdy... have a few drinks with friends, and maybe swear too much. I'm ready feed the things I love... the things that feed me back more than any bread can.
I'm ready to do a painting with some teeth.