Dear Selena & Garrett,

Thank you so much for your question. Crushing emotional forces, like no time in memory, are affecting the lives and mental health of many during the pandemic. Ram Dass is indeed a venerable spiritual guide.

The future you are living into gives you the way you feel in the present. Reaching for a challenging future can catalyzes us forward into our life. Dream large and work everyday toward a goal that calls you, no matter how out-of-reach it seems to you in your early twenties. If you want to be a fine artist or musician, the time is now to take steps toward that goal, no matter how far away mastery may seem. The way toward a truly happy and fulfilling life is to immerse yourself in solving a BIG problem. Finding and fulfilling your passion is a BIG problem. Finishing artworks is a good beginning.  You may have to make time everyday to paint, draw and play music, to practice enough to begin pleasing your inner judges. Creative discontent is the artist’s best friend as it catalyzes your work toward ever-higher standards. 

Your soul’s light is unique and has to be cultivated. To lift the weight of fear and hopelessness from your creative life, GO FOR THE JOY!  Look for what attracts you in your art medium and in your chosen subject. Take out your best works and line them up, even if they are unfinished, and ask yourself what you like and don’t like about each piece and how you would improve it. What would need to know or practice to create that piece to your satisfaction and to better communicate your intention for that artwork. Review the work with your beloved and choice people whose opinion you trust and ask them what they like best and feel needs improvement. Do the same works over and you will learn plenty about painting and drawing. Send me pictures and I will give you feedback. [email protected]

Alex and I recommend the inspiring book, Transforming Depression: Healing the Soul Through Creativity

by David H. Rosen, MD . The people Dr. Rosen interviewed for the book, had jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Each one realized the moment they went over the edge, that they had made a terrible mistake, and on the way down they decided that if they lived, they would never attempt this again. In surviving, each of them felt that they had been saved and found purpose in their lives that sustained them. They wanted to be of use and serve and share their experience so others would not lose hope in their lives. 

Alex sends warm regards

Love,

Allyson