I spent New Years Eve with a small group of family, friends, and loved ones here in Pennsylvania. We rang in the New Year quietly. I can't speak for anyone else there, but I was deep in thought, entrenched in a private reverie.
A lot has happened this year. A lot has happened this decade. My life has changed so much. I think I'm better for all the ups and downs. I've learned a lot, I think. I've become more the person I'm meant to be.
The power went out the other night just as I was settling into my work routine. Lights out! It's hard to work in the dark. So, I was forced to go to bed when I normally would be working. I laid there, tossing and turning, not being able to fall asleep, thinking about all the projects I could be working on.
That's when it hit me: Let go... Embrace the moment... Stop worrying.
It was like a switch flipped. I cuddled up in my blankets and the seemingly nightmarish situation became a brief reprieve. I could see it as an opportunity lost, OR I could see it as an opportunity gained. I chose the latter.
I think I'd like to think more like this. To cherish... To embrace... To be still.
When I woke up, the power was on and I felt recharged. Small understandings became apparent. Life unfolded in stark black and white, like a balance sheet:
More art.
Less Tiger Woods.
More friendships.
Less Jon and Kate Plus Eight.
More laughter.
Less Lady Gaga.
More time with my family.
Less Charlie Sheen.
More handwritten letters.
Less Adam Lambert.
More love.
Less war.
More good deeds.
Less Roman Polanski
More fearless creating.
Less Chris Brown.
More stories.
Less drama.
More freedom.
Less gossip.
I could go on and on. Looking back over the equation, I noticed a basic trend amongst the entries: more of a focus on the positive in the world at my fingertips and less of the abstract, dumb, malicious and scandalous drudgery of pop culture and the evils of the world. These "celebrities" don't care about me, why should I care about them and what they wore to dinner or who they've slept with? Lights out on the drama.
8 comments:
Andrew, great observations from your black out/whiteout
It seems like in observing them (celebrities and pretenders) and their lowlife that the energy is sucked out and that one's own possibilities for adventures, projects and passion are limited.. It follows that we cannot be voyeurs to passion we must live passion. Go forth boldly towards your creativity in 2010. Good Luck.
jt
Well put Andrew, well put!
Yes, Andrew...well put! I think we'd all be better off if we all just turned off the t.v. Then we wouldn't know or care about any of that OTHER stuff!
"Let go... Embrace the moment... Stop worrying."
Something I've frequently had to say to myself before going to bed as well.
Personally, I like Lady Gaga's music but I'm sure, like with all the other celebrities you mentioned, she has a bunch of drama following her. I'm glad I don't have a tv.
We have to create the beauty in this world. That's our job as artists. Good luck, Andrew. I can't wait to see the beauty you create for 2010.
nice post andrew. I can take a lesson from this, but it's so hard to stop worrying and just embrace the moment. trying to do that right now...hope you will have a wonderful 2010 in your new locale.
I like your more/less list and I totally agree
you're awesome andrew:) i love your new profile picture!
Good for you for kissing pop culture goodbye. It's pretty much a wasteland anyway.
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