Artist's Wisdom is a Work in Progress

What would the days be like without something to learn? A waste of time to be honest. They say wisdom comes with age, but I suspect that the lessons are available to all ages. It is more a case of what a person is ready to receive. It is only possible to receive when you ask for something and are open to life's lessons.

Here are a few lessons that have shown themselves to me in the past few weeks:

1. Be grateful to everyone. It is easier to be grateful to people or situations that make us feel good. The real test comes in those situations where we react badly. Fear, anger, greed, jealousy are often triggered by people or events. Why be grateful for these? They show us where our weakness is. If we become aware that the harm comes from our reaction then we can start to fix ourselves. Fuel the fire or gently put it out - it is a choice.
2. At some point we have to do the work. For me this can mean getting up from the keyboard and finishing the painting. If you write for a living then maybe you have researched enough and it is time to get the chapter done. Perhaps the work is complete, but now it must be shared and you hate marketing. There is a choice, but we know the one that will feed us is to do the hard work.
3. An Idea is not enough. Right brain types have ideas aplenty. An idea without action is simply daydreaming. Take steps that give life to your great idea. Who knows where it may lead, but it is worth actually doing something about it.
4. Fear is a sign: Fear is the single biggest factor in the world. Violence is bred from fear. So too apathy, procrastination and general unhappiness. Fear is also a sign that something needs to be done. Something worthwhile lies on the other side of that which we fear. Another choice. Sometimes a grand confrontation is necessary while other times a consistent climb away will scale the mountain. 
5. You cannot do it alone (all the time). The fiercely independent artist may scoff. Everything he has comes from his own hard work! Not true. This thinking is pride and ego. There must be a balance otherwise the burden becomes too much and will wear you down. Others want to help and we all need help sometimes. Everything is connected. Ask for help or accept the hand that is offered with sincerity. Always be ready to help others in a similar way.

The work in progress continues. The opportunity to learn never ends.

What moment of wisdom showed itself to you recently?