Standing Wherever We're Standing
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 9:34PM ;)
;)
Here's a new piece that I put up today.
With the holidays and the new year upon us, I know that many of us are in the process of taking stock in our lives. Perhaps we're considering what our resolutions will be- or maybe we're just thinking about how we hope this next year will look for us. I think taking inventory of one's life is a pretty healthy thing to do and can help clear the cobwebs from a mind gone stagnant from routine. The only problem is, I think a lot of people in Los Angeles suffer from the constant thought that they're not where they want to be. I've been guilty of this from time to time myself. It's that voice in the back of your head saying that no matter what progress you've made towards your goals, the ultimate destination seems to still be in the distance, rendering the inches you've traveled insignificant. This kind of negative thinking is not healthy and does nothing productive. It just bums you out and discourages you from working any harder because "what's the point?" It could be anything. It could be your career, your love life, personal growth or physical goals like weight loss, etc. I tend to not notice when I do it to myself but I can see it when my friends and family do it, so I figured I'd take the opportunity to be a voice of reason for those in the city who fall into this trap (and perhaps act as a reminder to myself to knock it off).
The sentiment sounds kind of self-helpy when I try to explain it, but I just wanted to give a measure of relief to that feeling of never quite measuring up. To never being in the place that you want or hope to reach. But sometimes we're in these places for a prolonged period of time simply because we need to get something out of it. Often times we think our goals are the prize in life- but they're not. Jobs are just jobs. No matter how passionate about something we are; selling a script, getting a record deal, having a big art show, none of it really matters as much as we think it does and once we get it, we find ways to become dissatisfied with it. Mostly because it doesn't match our fantasies in every exact and intricate detail. Now the fame you wanted becomes a hassle, the girl you had a crush on and finally started dating isn't PERFECT, the record company makes being a musician too much of a job and the big art show just comes and goes and afterwards you have to keep being a person who isn't complimented for hours by strangers.
What I'm getting at is that no matter how much further we think we've gotten, we're still just us... standing wherever we're standing. So the only goal I can see that means much is the acquisition of wisdom. Learning more about yourself and the world around you. You can and should do this throughout every station life takes you through. Good time and bad times. Often it's in the not-so-great times that you do the most learning. Just accept the place you're momentarily at and learn to forgive yourself the sin of not finding some kind of "life jet-pack" and blasting off to that goal of winning an Oscar at 27 like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Don't forget that six years later Affleck did Daredevil, Gigli, Paycheck, Surviving Christmas, Jersey Girl and Elektra IN A ROW! He probably thought that winning that Oscar would be the big moment before the freeze frame and the credits rolling, but life goes on and if you're Ben Affleck you make a bunch of awful awful movies.
I mean seriously- Daredevil was just... trash. I'm not crazy, right? We all agree it was bad?
Good.
Sorry, I kind of got off topic with that Affleck stuff. Obviously he's doing his best to repent with his directing gigs, but I digress.
My point was basically that if you've related to anything I've said, give yourself a break- recognize that the place you're at is as good a place as any to become the person you want to be on the inside. It's OKAY to not be "there" yet. The truth is, wherever you are, you're there for a reason and it's probably because you need to grow still and if you left prematurely, you wouldn't be ready for what comes next. Just enjoy every season of life for the pleasures that it holds. I guarantee you that everyone who ever got what they wanted looks back with fondness at the days when they still had dreams. Or if you're Ben Affleck the days BEFORE you made Gigli.
If you do your best to remember this in 2012, then so will I.
Happy New Year.
Man. Gigli.
Reader Comments (4)
On my day of 2012 goal setting, I came across this post. So beautifully written and yes, so very appropriate for those wrestling with art and success in Los Angeles. I am a huge fan of your posters. I was the monument and your poster at Wilton and 1st was the tidal wave when I walked by it with my dogs. It made me feel okay that this huge love that I've been pushing away because it didn't fit into the picture of what I wanted my life to look life just kept crashing down on me and sweeping me off my feet anyway. Thank you for your moving work.
Where is this one?
It's one day at a time for me. So I see this as so true. Victor Frankl said we all can have a "second life", a do over life if we choose....every day.
This one is on the west side of Vermont, North of Beverly.