to know and be known

[esinator87]

Being alive gives one tremendous responsibility to live usefully, but I go through periods of self-indulgence, when all I want to do is read and write and draw and paint and be a creative person and absorb the creativity of others. Is adding beauty and understanding to the world, or attempting to do so, a legitimate vocation? Or should one's

Comments

[paperscout]

don't dismiss the idea that you can partake in both art and sacrifice. you can be a doctor and, should you have time, paint, or write. you could be a novelist and devote yourself so deeply to those nearby you and help them in ways you might not even realize. sacrifice doesnt have to be large scale and clearly noticeable - both widespread and small interpersonal are needed. (not to suggest you intend on sacrifice for the purpose of being noticed, just that sometimes it's easy to forget the small stuff is just as important, if not more in some cases.)

and you can never wish for too much. as a rule, people accomplish less than they set out to. it would stand to reason then, that if you set "reachable" goals, you won't reach them. set unreachable and perhaps unreasonable goals and you still probably wont accomplish them all, but you will likely accomplish more.

just my thoughts :)

[esinator87]

Wow, thanks for that insight! I've considered that, on some levels, my goals and ideas are grandiose, and idealistic. I like what you said about sacrifice not having to be on a large scale, but - perhaps it's my overwhelming egotism - I feel like I have to make a grand contribution to society. Isn't that strange? I can't really explain the origins of that feeling; it's just always been that way. Maybe in a previous life, I committed some type of heinous deed, and in this life, I've been charged with rectifying it.

Here's to reaching for the stars. :)

[paperscout]

I used to severely debate about whether to go into film or social work, believe it or not. Up until I was already accepted to NYU for film. And you can't double major with those two areas here. I couldn't figure out which would be better, or which would make me happier. And I thought, you know, I can't really make films if I do social work. And even if I could, I could never get them anywhere to anyone, and get whatever message I want to share across. And anytime you do "helpful" work in a corporate setting (I'm not sure that's the right word. It's late. But I think you'll know what I mean), there are always rules, and standards, and sometimes they go against what you think is right. So I figured if I do film, I can have a better shot in succeeding there, and I can focus more on individually helping people, by actually getting to know them personally and caring. And doing what I felt would be the right thing to do, when I thought it to be right. So I realized that was so much more important to me. And who knows, maybe someone that I

[gibsongravy]

do what you daydream about doing.

[esinator87]

If I could, I would, but it's one of those things that's easier said than done, I'm afraid.

[swisstiger]

wow. you just wrote exactly everything that i have been feeling lately. with the exception of not being a pre-med student it sounds as if you've written this from inside my head.

on that note: maybe through art we can change the world. art inspires and changes people. it can highlight messages and movements. even now we go back and study art throughout history because it is what defines the development of culture and the identity of a time and place. if you truly want to, you can make a difference by being an artist.

[esinator87]

It's because we're the same person, in some ways. <3

I miss you, Livy.