Virtues
Spring time lazy days. Not having a job is not quite as fun or engaging as having a job might suggest.
Means lots of time for long (or not so long, depending on the weather), contemplative walks. My latest thoughts relate to the various minor struggles I face in my life right now, and also how this may apply to others. I find myself feeling down quite often, and I believe there are a few simple reasons why.
One of the biggest reasons is just... worrying. Being worried too much, in other words. Not about truly worry-some things, either, rather just whatever makes me feel insecure with myself. "That artist is the same age as me but she's so much better", "I'm not disciplined enough with my skills", etc. Things that may be true, yes, but I find myself realizing more and more; what is really the use of so much worry? Why waste so much time fretting about past mistakes or what have you, when you could instead be making the best out of a situation? I find, actually, that being positive in any situation tends to make things turn out much more (surprise) positive! Even if things are particularly grim, one can always roll with the punches, so to speak. Giving myself this advice has been one of the biggest catalysts of change in my entire life.
Another somewhat smaller, but also equally important virtue is patience. Especially when it comes to art. Countless times I've scribbled out something in a few minutes, thought "what garbage" to myself, and given up and fallen into a depression. Over and over. Or worse, having a somewhat finished piece which isn't turning out as great as I expected, and tossing the whole thing because I didn't give it any more time. 5 minute sketches are a great learning tool. Hell, 5 second sketches. But generally, if you want to express yourself, you need to give it more time. Work with it a little, put some heart into it. Make it a piece, not just a drawing. That's been the story with all my most successful art.
I suppose there's a lot of virtues which can help out in life. Being jaded and angry isn't all it's cracked up to be. I still think it's hot, though.
Now, here's an unrelated cute picture.
Means lots of time for long (or not so long, depending on the weather), contemplative walks. My latest thoughts relate to the various minor struggles I face in my life right now, and also how this may apply to others. I find myself feeling down quite often, and I believe there are a few simple reasons why.
One of the biggest reasons is just... worrying. Being worried too much, in other words. Not about truly worry-some things, either, rather just whatever makes me feel insecure with myself. "That artist is the same age as me but she's so much better", "I'm not disciplined enough with my skills", etc. Things that may be true, yes, but I find myself realizing more and more; what is really the use of so much worry? Why waste so much time fretting about past mistakes or what have you, when you could instead be making the best out of a situation? I find, actually, that being positive in any situation tends to make things turn out much more (surprise) positive! Even if things are particularly grim, one can always roll with the punches, so to speak. Giving myself this advice has been one of the biggest catalysts of change in my entire life.
Another somewhat smaller, but also equally important virtue is patience. Especially when it comes to art. Countless times I've scribbled out something in a few minutes, thought "what garbage" to myself, and given up and fallen into a depression. Over and over. Or worse, having a somewhat finished piece which isn't turning out as great as I expected, and tossing the whole thing because I didn't give it any more time. 5 minute sketches are a great learning tool. Hell, 5 second sketches. But generally, if you want to express yourself, you need to give it more time. Work with it a little, put some heart into it. Make it a piece, not just a drawing. That's been the story with all my most successful art.
I suppose there's a lot of virtues which can help out in life. Being jaded and angry isn't all it's cracked up to be. I still think it's hot, though.
Now, here's an unrelated cute picture.