Power in Person, Power in Art

Everyone has choices; whether they see them or not. In any given situation, we can choose to accept our circumstances as they are, work to change them, or leave altogether. Our choice is where our power lies. Understanding that these three paths, in any given context, are what we can do to suffer less grants the mind and spirit a sense of autonomy. In truth, the only illusion when it comes to our choices is that there is a limited quantity of actions we can each take that will truly have an impact on the world around us. The planet and universe have limits; there are things that either cannot or are extremely unlikely to happen in the cosmos around us.

A monk abides by the limits of their vows and oaths. An incarcerated person abides by the limits of their imprisonment. A worker abides by the limits of their occupation and family. There is only so much we can each do, but there is something. The monk, with others, walks thousands of miles in the name of Peace. The incarcerated person leads a hunger strike for better living conditions. The worker goes on strike. The first, a monk, accepts their limits and draws attention to world suffering. The second, a person imprisoned, works to change their life and that of others. The last, a worker, leaves their job to fight a larger fight.

The story of change is a slow one; taking along its current many voices. When those voices are all singing the same song, conditions and circumstances change. Human power is very limited when only one person chooses a particular path; it is broadened and deepened when others choose along with them. One person can only do so much, yet the power of a multitude creates an oceanic tide. Those tides change the shore line, quickly and slowly; unpredictably.

For those of us who follow creative pursuits, the power of choice is all the more important. Difficulties abound when projects are moved through in a rush. Everything, from a blade of grass to developing organization, takes time to germinate and grow. When that process is rushed, more opportunities for failure are generated. Creation takes a great deal longer to occur than destruction. Art, in all its forms, takes time to do well.

A work that takes time to produce is, generally speaking, more cherished by its creators than one that's process is bulldozed through without care for those who it effects. Move slow, generate beauty; move fast, break things. As with all aspects of life, growth will take the time it needs. No child of the Earth was either spawned over night or spontaneously. Everything comes from something. In my work, I have seen this play out over every system I have encountered. To paraphrase: Donella Meadows, in her book Thinking in Systems, put it best "We cannot figure out systems, but we can dance with them."