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I myself incline to drift, to accept a lesser situation rather than strive for a greater, and yet, I know that character in life and art is only made by an effort that is quite beyond one’s ordinary everyday acceptance of things as they are.
–Lawren Harris, Letter to Catherine Whyte
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Came across this quote from one of my favorites, the painter Lawren Harris, and it really stood out for me on a couple of fronts.
Personally, it was a reminder that an artist’s character is developed by continuing to push beyond what they know they can do. To become more and not settle for the situation as it is. It’s easy to do what you know is possible but trying to do what you are not sure is within your grasp builds confidence, builds character. That is what moves the needle.
That’s an important thing for any artist to have in mind. I know I have to kick myself on a regular basis to not lull myself to sleep by doing what I know I can do and not attempting to do that new thing that seems too much for me to handle.
But on a larger scale, Harris’ words speak to where we are as a nation at this very moment, We are in a crucial moment and what happens in the coming days and weeks will determine both where we are headed as a nation and what makes up our collective character. Do we take the easy way that just accepts things as they are? Or do we pull from deep within our character and do that which is right even though it might require true effort and perhaps even sacrifice?
I wish I could say which way it will go but I don’t know. I believe that there is so much more that will be soon uncovered that to maintain the status quo will be untenable and there will be big change.
That the character we aspire to as a nation will finally come forward.
But that’s just my belief. Like all beliefs, without effort, it’s not worth much.
I thought the painting at the top, Light House at Father Point, was a great symbol for this post. The light house is a warning device, one that alerts sailors that they are approaching an area where they must proceed with caution.
We are at such a point as well. If we don’t pay attention we could end up on the rocks.
Let’s heed the warning from our own light house and not just take what is at hand as being the way things should be.
Let’s make an effort.
Let’s be more.
Let that define our character.
Redtree Times 