Ever hear an artist excuse their addictions, bad attitude or habits for the sake of their creativity?
Ever spend time with this person? Angry at the world, bitter toward their past, soaked an impersonal alcoholic haze... for the art.
The reality is, art is only one part of your life. A big part, no doubt. But still only one part. An idea, song, canvas or book may arise out of anger, but it also spills over onto friends, family, community, faith and the very culture you want to invest in with your art.
In the end, if your creative lifestyle isn't building, uniting, coloring, enjoying, engaging, inviting, hope-filling, faith-building and every other healing and constructive -ing for those closest to you, well, what's the point?
In other words, maybe we shouldn't pretend to create change for the world if we're not willing to invest in the much needed, nearly impossible, painful work of creating and being re-created, made new, healthy and whole, in our own creative space. Here and now.
Q. How are you sharing a healthy creative life rhythm with those around you?
Q. When will you release the toxic muse for a better life beyond the art?
Q. If you're living your message, but your life is toxic and destructive, is your message worthy of sharing with the world?