Is That All There Is?

One of the things I enjoy about publishing articles is the thoughtful comments I receive from readers. Consider the following comment on a recent blog post of mine:

“Before my taking up painting as a hobby in 2001, I was merely a ‘banker’ using mostly my left brain. After a sudden cancer diagnosis (I am fine now), I thought, “Is that all there is?” and decided to take painting classes. I am now feeling completely alive with art in my life.”

What a wonderful endorsement for listening to one’s heart and embracing one’s passion.

So many people in life are unhappy. Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden that, “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Why is that? Perhaps because our values become misplaced or blurry.

There are many people who have abandoned dreams to follow conventional paths. It’s completely understandable, if you think about it. People have to make a living. Some careers hold little prospect to support a family. If you’re a single mother in Los Angeles, you don’t have the luxury to “go find yourself” or “become a famous actor.” You have to work hard to support your child.

There was a point early in my police career when I fantasized about becoming a full-time editorial cartoonist. I was already on the staff of two local newspapers as their cartoonist, but I only drew weekly cartoons and was unpaid. I was a member of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, and I corresponded with several famous cartoonists.

A full-time cartoonist position became available in Albany, New York and I applied. In hindsight, it was crazy. I was already a well paid police officer with a wife and son. I had good benefits, stability and my extended family near-by to help out with childcare.

Thankfully, I didn’t get the position. In fact, newspapers began to struggle and started cutting staff cartoonist positions in favor of affordabe, syndicated cartoons. I came to realize that my responsibilities to my family trumped a very uncertain cartooning career.

We admire those who risk everything and succeed. For some, the fire inside is too strong to extinguish. They forfeit all they hold dear for their dreams. I know some very successful people, but their success came at a high price. Divorces. Estranged children.

I know Henry David Thoreau’s message is well intended. I’m sure he understood that good people sacrifice for loved ones. Not everyone can hole up in a cabin and return to nature. Still, Thoreau’s message resonates with me. We need less than we think we do to be happy.

There’s a small plaque in my house that reads: “Having it all doesn’t necessarily mean having it all at once.” We need different things at different times in our lives.

It’s possible to sacrifice in some seasons and embrace our passions in others. Also, it’s possible to dabble in your passion along the margins of your schedule. I did that for years throughout my police career. Now I’m entering a season where I can commit fully to my art and writing.

This is what I love about the reader’s quote I opened with. He had a career as a banker. He survived cancer. But he never gave up. He listened to that internal voice that whispered, “There’s more in this life. Take up painting.” Doing so made all the difference.

I published a short story at Fine Art Views titled “No, It’s Not Too Late.” It’s about a widow who recently retired. She put off her love of artwork and painting for many years. But then she discovers that, indeed, it’s not too late to embrace old passions.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is that all there is?” then your heart is telling you something. If you have money and status but are unfulfilled, that’s a big clue. You need to pursue your passion. Or, if your passion changed, discover a new one. Life is meant to be lived, not endured.

A lot of people try to fill the whole inside of them with the wrong things. Money. Drugs. Alcohol. Pornography. I read somewhere that, “In the end, it all comes down to a bed and four walls.” What a tragedy for any of us to end up on our deathbed having failed to embrace our passions.

If you find yourself asking, “Is that all there is,” then keep searching. Rediscover your love of painting, writing, music, etcetera. It’s never too late to immerse yourself in the creative arts. Sure, it’s nice if you can make money off your passion, but that’s not essential. All that matters is that it brings you joy and quickens your heart.

Thoreau was right. It’s often the simple, artful pleasures in life that make it worth living.

Now what?

Join over 8,000 happy followers who enjoy my cartoons and articles. Sign up here.