I believe that there are life lessons that we all must learn so that we can find our way past death to our forever or eternity. Now having said that I must inform you that I won't be discussing faith.
Life Lessons can be seen in two categories. The first are the lessons I have learned, such as manners, respect of others whether they deserve it or not,to respect the laws of the land, (the ten commandments from the bible cover these fairly well) and the lessons you must learn early just to survive in the world; that is the school of hard knocks. The second kind of lessons are those that bring to light aesthetic forms of expression; such as literature, music, art, and sculpture. It is the latter I wish to discuss.
"What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?" ~ The Warden by Anthony Trollope.
I see art, sculpture, and music being appreciated like that, as literature is; seen in all its forms. I have been reading between an hour and five hours a day all my life. I enjoyed reading, curled up under my sheet tent, flashlight in hand long after I heard my parent tell me to go to sleep. I read in the car, on buses, sitting in a park, or a coffee house and I am even read while nursing a child. Quite honestly, I often preferred to be reading alone; rather than going to a party or get together. I wasn't particularly shy but I was introverted for most of my life right up to my late 30's. So enjoying the arts and reading helped me cope with a lot. I was a child of the 60's and I also had other really interesting ways of coping. I may write about that in another article.
"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius." ~ The Valley of Fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I think that just because one is widely read, or seen a lot of different art, or listened to a lot of music, that does not mean they are experts on anything or should be writers, artists or musicians themselves. What it does mean is that they have the right and privilege to read the next book, go to the next concert or art gallery. The latter I am proud to say is the best lesson I have learned. I still write stories, look at beautiful art and try to sketch a little, and listen to music for my own pleasure. But I have learned my aesthetic lessons well. Although I may amuse myself by writing, sketching and singing off key; I am not a musician, nor an artist nor a best selling author. I remain a member of the audience and thank all the writers, artists, and musicians that have entertained me in the past years and continue to take me away to other places, spaces, and times.
"Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech: that your native language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible; and don't sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon." ~ Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.
People often think that it is alright to say, "I could have done that and then I would be the Darling of the Arts section." But it is not fair, because you didn't create the piece of art, be it literary, a painting or sculpture or a piece of beautiful music. You are not talented in that area, or you didn't practice enough, or you were lazy when you had the opportunity to learn how to do the basics. One should never be a amateur critic.
"Life isn't long enough for love and art." ~ The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham.
So look around you, be a private critic, and decide what you like but don't argue about your choices. Just enjoy it all every day of your life!
Angel's Words of Heavenly Wisdom won't be run today as she is too sleepy to make any sense. I will get some more pictures of her and publish them as soon as I possibly can.