Yes, all those things are important — 2 months ago
Maybe even essential.
But you’ll probably be remembered for what you did for love.
Maybe even essential.
But you’ll probably be remembered for what you did for love.
It is difficult when your life is settled and defined, and you realize you are not content with the definition.
Only you can re-define your worlds or add new extensions to them.
I’m like Missouri, the “Show Me” state.
If you tell me I’m wrong, you’ll probably have to show me before I’ll stop arguing with you. But if you show me, you may rarely find a person more willing and quick to change.
And sometimes even after you show me, I fail to remember. But I keep working on that personal defect.
How do you measure the quality of your work?
How do you measure the quality of your progress?
How do you write your life’s stories?
How do you measure the quality of your love?
Daily.
Did what you did today represent your work, your progress, your life’s stories, and your loves well?
I hope it did.
It is awful to realize over time that a person you love and admire doesn’t want you in their life. No matter how much other good love, education and self-esteem you have, expect that loss to continually take its toll on you.
Most people live with this circumstance. And it is an epic and never ending struggle for many to find other loves and pursuits to engage in.
I write this to encourage you. To let you know you are not alone in this type of struggle. And to recommend you don’t deny your feelings. You should not feel ashamed or guilty for your losses and your hurting. It will not help to be dishonest with yourself about them. If they hurt, admit they hurt. And try to find other passions and good things to involve yourself in. Those other passions will not reduce your losses, but they will give you other positive feedback patterns to let you know if you are doing well for other people and other purposes.
I listen to music to reconnect with great ideas.
I find connection in the synthesis of voices more than in any singular voice.
Some people leave your life, and you forget them because they were forgettable.
Some people leave your life, and you try to forget them because they meant so much to you.
Some people leave your life, and you can’t forget them because they are unforgettable.
God, she was and she still is beautiful, smart, and shining.
It’s hard to imagine that anyone else could have elicited as much consideration, creativity, and activism out of me for so long.
Artists are often not very socially acceptable or socially appropriate. The real work of an artist is often to dispel people’s illusions and to point out their delusions.
The trouble is that most people long ago chose the delusions and illusions they want to live under and to define them. So, many people aren’t real excited when an artist comes along and highlights facades.
I encourage you to be artistic and passionate. But don’t delude yourself to the likely risks and liabilities involved.
Too late I realized . . .
I didn’t just love her.
I loved the artful worlds she created around her.
I loved the way she made me and others care more about art.
I loved the arts she created.
I didn’t understand that her unique artistries, temperaments, randomness, raw intellect, reasonings, response patterns, uncommon insights, and foresights could not be replaced by others.
I didn’t understand the warmths, wants, and loves she created in the environments around her could not be replicated.
I didn’t understand what my loss of connection to her influences would undo in me.
My unending loss.
But as I have realized some of what I lost, my life has been a poor attempt to imitate her influences onto others.
I try to discover the best people that I have the privilege to encounter.
And I do my best to not discriminate based on all the training and definitions I received growing up about “better” genders, races, religions, or orientations. It is still a challenge for me.