Back in April, I was at an open mic night with a new friend I had made who was visiting the States from France. While my world had been colorfully opened by her, the artistic vision she had, and the sketches she shared with me, there was one night that will be etched in my memory forever.
We were sitting and sipping our lattes, enjoying the moving music and poetry shared by brave souls. Just before the night was over, she spontaneously went on stage to read a poem that mattered to her -- How to Be an Artist by Joseph Beuys. I was changed within an instant. And I hope you will be too.
"Let yourself fail.
Learn to observe snakes.
Plant impossible gardens.
Let someone dangerous in for tea.
Make small signs that say "yes"
And spread them all over your house.
Become a friend of freedom and uncertainty.
Look forward to dreaming.
Cry at movies.
Swing as high as you can at moonlight.
Maintain different moods.
Refuse to be "responsible."
Do it out of love.
Take a lot of naps.
Pass on money.
Do it now.
The money will follow.
Laugh a lot
Bathe in the moonlight.
Dream wild, imaginative dreams.
Draw on the walls.
Read every day.
Imagine you are enchanted.
Giggle with children.
Listen to old people.
Open yourself. Dive in. Be free.
Praise yourself.
Let go of fear.
Play with everything.
Preserve the child in you.
You are innocent.
Build a castle with covers.
Get wet.
Hug trees.
Write love letters.
Breathe."
I love this poem because it chooses to celebrate simple acts of existence that anybody can do. Believe it or not, you have the power to allow these things to vivify your life and awaken the artist in you. It's there, you just have to accept your calling as a creator.
So let's do it. Let's get our hands dirty. Let's stare at the stars a little more each night. Let's activate the inner-child that you tucked away years back. Let's be an artist and allow the world to come alive again.
