The Starving Artist
“Last time I talked to her she didn't sound like herself. She's depressed. It's awful what happens when people run out of money. They start thinking they're no good.” ― Barbara Kingsolver, Pigs In Heaven
Today we will begin exploring the concept mentioned in yesterday’s blog: poverty of the mind. When I found this quotation it really spoke to me. An issue I have meditated on for a very long time is my feeling of having no value if I have no money. Untrue, of course, but present none-the-less.
One of my favorite films is “Becoming Jane” with Anne Hathaway and James MacEvoy. It is the story of Jane Austen’s life before she became a published author; a love story. In 18th century England a woman has no value on her own. Women can not inherit and therefore must marry well to ensure their survival. Jane is an idealist (and a feminist it is clear although they did not exist yet) and wants to marry for love. However she is forced, even in the face of love, to choose otherwise for the greater good. All this to draw your attention to a phrase which spoke to me quite loudly at that time of my life. Her father says to her, “Nothing kills creativity like poverty.” Whether the poverty is real or imagined the effect is the same. Creativity comes when there is an opening, a freedom of spirit I would say. If we are stressed out because we have created poverty in our lives, either actual (by living beyond our means in order to have all the “necessary” luxuries we can’t live without) or imagined (because we feel impoverished to not have all that stuff we’ve been brainwashed to want) there is no room for us to be who we are. Therefore there is no room for creativity to come in. The mind becomes a battleground and the ego sinks deeper into the pit of drama.
Everything we can read bring us back to the same solution. It is on the inside. As our wise friend Ralph said yesterday, “Success comes from within.” First we have to realize what we are feeling and then we can start inviting different feelings to take their place. Oh the baby steps. Start where you are: one, two, three!
Namaste!
Bianca
This personal blog was written by Bianca Pittoors. You may “share” it in its entirety. I respectfully request that you respect it as the intellectual property that it is. Thank you! All photos by Bianca Pittoors unless noted otherwise.
Bianca Pittoors & Marc Langis are Bianca Basso. Creators of original music, they are distinctive in their contemporary style.
at Luskville Falls, Quebec.
“Last time I talked to her she didn't sound like herself. She's depressed. It's awful what happens when people run out of money. They start thinking they're no good.” ― Barbara Kingsolver, Pigs In Heaven
Today we will begin exploring the concept mentioned in yesterday’s blog: poverty of the mind. When I found this quotation it really spoke to me. An issue I have meditated on for a very long time is my feeling of having no value if I have no money. Untrue, of course, but present none-the-less.
One of my favorite films is “Becoming Jane” with Anne Hathaway and James MacEvoy. It is the story of Jane Austen’s life before she became a published author; a love story. In 18th century England a woman has no value on her own. Women can not inherit and therefore must marry well to ensure their survival. Jane is an idealist (and a feminist it is clear although they did not exist yet) and wants to marry for love. However she is forced, even in the face of love, to choose otherwise for the greater good. All this to draw your attention to a phrase which spoke to me quite loudly at that time of my life. Her father says to her, “Nothing kills creativity like poverty.” Whether the poverty is real or imagined the effect is the same. Creativity comes when there is an opening, a freedom of spirit I would say. If we are stressed out because we have created poverty in our lives, either actual (by living beyond our means in order to have all the “necessary” luxuries we can’t live without) or imagined (because we feel impoverished to not have all that stuff we’ve been brainwashed to want) there is no room for us to be who we are. Therefore there is no room for creativity to come in. The mind becomes a battleground and the ego sinks deeper into the pit of drama.
Everything we can read bring us back to the same solution. It is on the inside. As our wise friend Ralph said yesterday, “Success comes from within.” First we have to realize what we are feeling and then we can start inviting different feelings to take their place. Oh the baby steps. Start where you are: one, two, three!
Namaste!
Bianca
This personal blog was written by Bianca Pittoors. You may “share” it in its entirety. I respectfully request that you respect it as the intellectual property that it is. Thank you! All photos by Bianca Pittoors unless noted otherwise.
Bianca Pittoors & Marc Langis are Bianca Basso. Creators of original music, they are distinctive in their contemporary style.
at Luskville Falls, Quebec.