Sublime

So taking the experimental mindset, I decided to test out a new theory. First, I would start assuming I was good and had my heart in the right place, instead of a rickety monster that had to be held in check and put on a tight leash. Second, anything I did that was bad or wrong or unhealthy, I would just tell myself it was a layer of plaster on top

these detailed measures can be grouped into five broad clusters: project meaning, manageability, connection, positive feelings, and negative feelings.

This is why it’s grounding to protect your personal understanding of success. And to make each new work, no matter where you stand on the ladder of public perception, like you have nothing to lose.

by the subjects. In his excellent book The Compassionate Mind, psychologist Paul Gilbert,

From his walled garden cut off from the city, Epicurus introduced us to the revelatory notion that to become happier, we need to reassess our attachments to things in the world. We need to feel differently about things that cause (or have the potential to cause) anxiety. We wish to live with as little pain and worry as possible. Epicurus has, in hi

A good way to do this is to write each situation on a slip of paper. Now go through that pile and sort them into a “change the situation” pile, meaning that there are actions you can take to relieve the stress, and a “change the relationship to the situation” pile for the unchangeables. Now, for each of the changeables, use the flexibility skills t

So let’s try to wrap our minds around this reality: There’s probably never going to be any such thing in your life or mine as “an arts emergency.” That being the case, why not make art?