The Responsibility of Our Giftings

I know that many of the fans of the music I write are also musicians themselves. And as such I think one of the most important things that we can do for each other is to encourage each other with our own unique visions. This is so essential. There is probably no more difficult path you could choose in life than to put in all the hard work essential to developing your artistic vision, which is largely done at your own expense of time and money, and then all the work of promoting it, paying your dues, etc. And even at the end of all of this there is no guarantee that anyone will appreciate or embrace your vision, regardless of how groundbreaking, unique, truthful, or powerful it may be. But that's a topic for another time...

My point here hinges around a comment that someone made to me today. As my new exterminator showed up at my house to help me wage war against the pests in my neighborhood, his first comment when he walked in the door upon noticing the paintings on the walls and an easel in my foyer, was "Are these your paintings? I wish I had a talent like that. The only talent I have is to kill bugs." It's a comment that I get often from visitors (not the killing bugs part), but my point here is not to point out my painting ability. Artists out there please pay attention. Here is a man showing up to do a job, completely unrelated to any artistic works that he may encounter. But he notices them. Why does he notice them? Why would he even be looking for them?

Before I make my point let me tell you about two other conversations I remember having. One was with a friend of mine in construction. He knows that I am a musician and have a band, etc. etc. I remember talking with him one time about his brother. A guitar player. How his brother has always kept his music as a passion in his life. How he always took jobs that allowed him time to practice and improve at his instrument and to play in bands, etc. As we wrapped the conversation up he mentioned how he would have loved to have the talent that his brother has.

Ok, here's the other story. In producing my last CD I had many wonderful conversations with our fantastic engineer. A performer and bandleader himself, we had some great conversations that I think we both really connected on. And he said something to me that really sticks with me. He said "You know most people would give ANYTHING just to be able to be up on stage. To play a song in front of people. To have people enjoy it." Isn't he right? To quote Jeff Tweedy quoting someone else (forgive me I can't remember who) he said that "People go to a concert to see someone believe in themself".

And as artists we can get so numb to it sometimes. Because we are always looking down the road. Anticipating what our next fully developed vision will look like. So when we play that song that we've played a million times before even WE get tired of it. And that's when the magic of music stops.

So I go back to my original question...Did he show up looking for artwork to take in? Did he anticipate anything speaking to him? No. But it happens because of the power of art. That's where the magic lies. There is no perfect formula for it. You cannot anticipate how a human being will interact with it. It just happens or it doesn't. It's magic.

One of the things that tyrannical regimes do when they take control of a country is make sure that they destroy literature, musical instruments and other tools of expression. Because they know that when the hearts of men and women are moved by them powerful things can happen. Remember David's guitar playing soothing Saul? The guy that was out to get him! Art can even impact your enemies.

So for all you artists that are out there reading this. Be encouraged. Your talent DOES speak to people. More than you probably know. And the next time you paint that picture, strum that guitar, dance across the stage, pen that poem or complete that novel, remember that you have been gifted and blessed. And that there are people out there wishing they had maybe just a portion of your gifting. Knowing full well that if they did, and what it is really worth, they would make the most of it. Whole-heartedly.