A semi-integral view of the struggle to be an artist...

Why is it, that as a society we are willing to put aside the things that we are most passionate about for security? Why is it, that having a passion is considered adolescent, when most of us don't even discover what it is that we are passionate about until we're adults? Why is it that the ones who follow their passion to fruition, get the biggest rewards... regardless of whether you see being rewarded as happiness or wealth?

Part of my struggle has been to get those closest to me to understand the unwavering passion that I have for writing, but there seems to be an underlined tone to the way people respond to someone who wants to follow their passions, and it is not always met with encouragement. For example, some people find that having security is more important to them then following a passion, it keeps them sane and in control. So consequently from their perspective anyone who is willing to sacrifice security for a passion, or more specifically art, is just plain insane and out of control. Then there are those who would love to follow their passions, but cannot find a way to make it happen, and aren't willing to make changes in order to switch gears. They have built a sense of security in their surroundings, and cannot trust that making changes will guarantee a better outcome. Again, we meet another perspective that is fueled by an equal balance of fear, admiration, and insecurity. Then we meet the opposite end of the spectrum, which include the community of people who are actively following their passions. Some of which are following a passion for money, some to satisfy their soul, and others to keep the balance between the two.

Why is it that art is the most over looked? Other then the magnified glass an artist feels they live under after they reveal that they wish to follow a passion, I personally believe it's due to evolution, imbedded in our natural and instinctual impulse to grow. According to the philosophy of lines, levels, states, and stages that Ken Wilber proposes, we can see that our current state of artistic expression is at a lower level of development then what we are capable of, which is what fuels the attitude that following your passion is adolescent and reckless. So is there such a thing as higher levels of artistic expression? I absolutely believe there is, and wouldn't be here today if there wasn't.

The story of the tortured artist, isn't that they are somehow psychologically insane, depressed, and lazy; although not to rule those out, as they have been and continue to be an amazing outlet for the development of art. The story is that their art, has yet to be seen by 99 percent of society, because until they become “successful”, they will always only be seen as a dreamer. Think about the mind blowing lyrics, poems, riffs, paintings, movies, cuisines, or you name it, that exist without ever seeing the light of day. The problem with most artist, is that they too cannot see themselves as artist, because they look to those around them for their reaction, looking closely at their affective experience, only to find judgment and constructive criticism. And at that moment the artist forgets to take into consideration that our society is not wired to experience subjectively, what they are conditioned to look at objectively. Without the reflections of others the artist fades into a dreamer, addicted to the chase.

The reason I wanted to write this blog is because I have found that this particular dynamic isn't talked about as much. Although we would like to believe that everyone in our lives are going to be supportive of us and our passions, the fact of the matter is that people cannot help but filter their life values on our own. So just keep creating, keep putting it out there, and know that, whether it is compelling or repelling, art's purpose is to affect those who encounter it... period!  So it's not really society who decides whether we follow our passion or not, choice has been and will always be up to us.