Life and Art: Part 2

I recently found this email written to Jake and the sentiments expressed still ring so true in my heart today. Especially with my new insights on my purpose. The desire to create things, to live life artfully has never compelled me so much as now.

On Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 10:16 AM, Misha Tyler wrote:

I read this in a book (called Ascent of a Leader) for school this morning:

"Let them remember there is meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power, and that we can--every one--do our share to redeem the world in spite of all absurdities and all frustrations and all disappointments. And above all, remember that the meaning of life is to build a life as if it were a work of art." -Rabbi Abraham Heschel

The chapter goes on to describe a painting that from up close appears to be a collection of random splatters of paint that don't make any sense. But as you step back and look at the bigger picture, you begin to see that it's an actual image. It relates it back to real life saying, 

"...though life may appear random, even ugly from up close, if you have the right perspective and distance, you can see beauty. Compelling beauty. Breathtaking beauty. Even though the subject matter is common enough--ordinary people living ordinary lives-- the hand of the Master is at work.

"Each life is a work of art, created with living, breathing paints with a will of their own. We actively participate in the process of our own making. We sometimes get glimpses into the Master's purpose as we see the brush strokes in our lives come together. But from day to day it can be difficult to make sense of the seeming absurdities of our own foibles and troubles. We may question the Creator's choice of colors, technique, or materials..." and then it trails off into a vaguely related story. I imagine it should finish something like, "...but in the end, we may see the full picture and perhaps come to an understanding of the Creator's work in our lives." 

...the whole thing spoke to me, personally, and I wanted to share. Especially the idea of living artfully. I love that. And getting so caught up in the day-to-day struggles, you lose sight of the bigger picture. The leadership courses have definitely challenged me to look at the bigger picture of my life and pursue goals and improving character. Otherwise, I feel like I am wasting my weeks--purposelessly drifting along with no end in sight. And that, to me, is the definition of a miserable existence.

Living Artfully (or trying to),

Misha