impermanence

Every day I'm faced with the shocking reality that nothing lasts. Life is like an hourglass, each grain of sand represents another hour. Every time I think about it, I am overcome with pulses of anxiety. Each pulse asking the same question, "What are you doing with your life?" If I am lucky, I can shrug it off with some kind of Buddhist-like retort: "Living, breathing, experiencing."

 

But most days I get wrapped up in my own impending doom. The truth is, I could die tomorrow... as could you. I often wonder what thoughts people have right before they die. I strongly doubt that it is about money or prestige (but who knows, maybe some do). Do they think about family or lack thereof? Do they think of their contributions to society (like I hypothesize I will)? Is it even that complex? Maybe people just think, "Oh shit, I'm about to die." 

The only small insight I have on the topic is when my own father died. Before he passed, he uttered the small phrase, "I feel like I'm going to faint." Of course he was soon after brought back to life thanks to modern medicine. 

I often marvel at people who openly accept impermanence and make a show of it. These are two pictures from Burning Man. For those not familiar, Burning Man is a festival of type in the Black Rock Desert where fun individuals come and live in a community. They create beautiful sculptures that they later burn. None of the sculptures are permanent.

  

The same quality is found in street artists whose art could be quickly covered:

Yet so often people criticize these artists. Perhaps instead we should celebrate them for accepting their fate and doing something with it.

who knew it was that easy?

Step 1:

 

Step 2:

 

Step 3:

 

Step 4:

 

Step 5:

the poor shall inherit the art

just another sheep

I think I've come to the conclusion that originality is dead. This idea is especially disheartening for someone who considers to be an artist. How can anyone possibly make their niche when everything seems to be copied. Of course the obvious answer would be "create something new, dumbass." 

Here is where the problem lies: 

I am just another sheep. 


I live my day just like everybody else. Wake up, drive to work, work, drive back home, blog/facebook/tumblr/maybe make some art, go to bed. Repeat. As overly dramatic as it may come off, any flicker of creativity is slaughtered my the monotony that has become my life. 


However, this problem, like many problems has a solution (or several solutions):
1. Find a new job
2. Make more art
3. Enjoy life

Property of L11