The Artist’s Life: If You Feel Uncomfortable Evaluate Your Values

Artists are known for anxiety, emotional discomfort, and suffering. Recently I read in one of the nursing texts that 50% of US population one time or another suffered and was treated for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorders, and worse. One thing is certain: many of us do not live the life we accept. I am actually surprised more of us don’t hear voices.

What psychologists say is that one has to seriously evaluate her values before making changes, blaming society, or plunging into despair. Don’t settle for the easiest way out to temporarily feel better but start thinking: where did the road transversed.

Evaluating values is such a tremendous and Sisyphean job. Just starting and already on the surface I see many inconsistencies. I also know making meaningful changes is not a quick process and one can do only one thing at a time.

I your value is to surround yourself with people who make you a better person and make you grow ask yourself if in fact you see those friends or do you spend time on casual and superficial relationships. Worse yet, do you sit at home and brood out of proportion? This at least is one thing easy to change. Choose your friends wisely so your time with them adds to meaning.

As a painter I am continuously frustrated about making good choices. It is a big deal to understand what stands behind my art and hardly ever my goals are met. On the bright side I have the next ten years booked, always busy looking for more. Today, though, I will let chance paint for me. This is my mindless, fun holiday: Friday Coffee. It’s good to relax.

Friday Coffee, 2017