There but for the grace of whoever or whatever or however…

thoughts about the role of artists in times of immense challenge

It is a time like this one

when planetary plates shift violently, with no warning

or when oceans rise up with overwhelming waves

or when hurricanes and typhoons fiercely sweep across the lands

It is when our natural world reminds us

of our insignificance

and

of the miracle of our existence

that

our daily pettiness

seems particularly idiotic

our greed for material things and need for control over others

seems breathtakingly self-destructive

Imagine

if all the energy

if all the resources

we use to fight each other

   believing that such battle will lead to
   well-deserved and justified survival

were instead entirely available

for celebrating the gift of our lives

as well as

for healing and recreating communities
   uprooted by events entirely beyond our mortal control

Bless the responders

the brave ones
who defy the aftershocks and other dangers

the selfless ones
who offer aid with the fullness of their hearts
   and the best of their talents

But

with each passing day

the immediacy of the horror drifts away

for those not directly affected by location or loved ones

we return to our life of routine

led by people who govern or otherwise direct our lives by fear

As artists, what can we do

what is our role

As artists, we are sensitive and keen observers

we know

how to witness

how to observe events in context of a bigger picture

As artists, we are creators

we take what we see

and

through our art

we can help craft a perspective for being in the world

informed not by fear but

informed by the commonality of our hearts

we can help craft a way of being in the world

that does not include battling against each other

that does enable us to celebrate the gift of our lives

that does enable us to continue in the face of inevitable natural challenges

it is through our art

that we present

and celebrate

our potential

our possibilities

our gratefulness