It happened while walking
through the Impressionist exhibit at the Museum
of Fine Arts in Montreal
Many were quotes or
comments in regards to the critics, those who doubted the movement of this new
art form from its inception-- scoffing at the colors or the subject or the
style. These critics, from a conservative mindset, dismissed the new ideas, new
ways of thinking and new ways of seeing the world as nonsense, less-than-art,
or worse.
Revealed in their words
was not just contempt for the new, but reverence for the old—for the
established. But whom did history
declare as the victor in that timeless argument between the old and new? The visionary versus the skeptic clinging
with all his or her might to the log jammed into the river of the past. Afraid that the waters of progress would
sweep them clear off the map of history and render their time on earth
meaningless, or at least their opinions less significant than they ever though they
would be.
The answer of “who won” is
in the name on the walls, and in the brushstrokes, and in the books, and in
every element of recorded history.
Whether in battle or art, music or science, love or hate—history and
eternity belong to those who go outside themselves—push their world and the
world of those around them into new places.
Often this growth happens not because of people saying it could—but
because of people saying it couldn’t or shouldn’t.
I have come to know the
power of that clinging to the past, what was known, and of a man’s ability to
link himself so strongly to a role or a position or a belief that he looses
himself in it to such a depth that it drowns him. So addicted to the process, he defends it as
he would his family. Fighting with all
available passion and strength any idea—any person—that would dare offer a new
way, a new direction, or a different way of holding the brush.
But what these
people—from those that battled Jesus to those that fight against Gay Marriage
fail to understand is that the natural progress of the human order is
growth. All things must grow, for else
how do we define the difference between a chair and a plant? The chair will always be a chair, but the
plant (in the paraphrased words) of CS Lewis—MUST grow from its seed self, to
it larger self—to its flowering self. Or
else it is not much of a plant at all.
I've known painters
who never did any good work because instead of painting their models they
seduced them. (Pierre-Auguste Renoir)
Whatever their names may be,
they have always been, always shall be.
But if you use them not as the stone to weigh you down, or the cloud to
darken the sky—but rather the motivation—and the inspiration—then you will
begin to know your way—your path of growth.
If you simply learn that “they” do not matter, whoever they shall be,
then you will know the power that is contained within the soul of a person
doing what she knows is the right thing to do.
Not only will you benefit
from it, but all of humankind will as well.
For the efforts of those who followed their way, whether by serving as
light or leading the fight against darkness, are not recorded in only their own
family stories—but in our stories.
Theirs are the names on statues, on buildings, on the pages of books,
and of our collective conscious.
Just imagine for one
moment what we are capable of if just 10% more people followed their dreams—and
did not become mired in the opinions of others, the fear of failing, or the
noose of low self-esteem. What lies out
there in the minds and abilities of people too afraid to lead themselves away
from their personal prison? A cure for
cancer? An end to poverty and world
hunger? The solution for world peace?
Sadly, far too many
profit from things as they are. They make money on the sale of weapons, or the
sale of ideas that preach to closed minds tired old ideas. They sell a way of being that flies in the
face of the march of human history and the lessons of our past. Even more people see these problems and so
many others as unsolvable. Permanent—
ingrained in our
nature. How many people, told they have
cancer, have simply resigned from life—long before the disease would have ever
taken them. How many more, with an
attitude of resilience—have either beaten the disease entirely—or turned their
final days into final months or years—often making amazing accomplishments in
that added time.
I know that resignation
to fear—to criticism, to adversity is not a version of our best selves. Either as individuals or as a community. Why have so many great people overcome
adversity to lead amazing lives? Why
have the best days of a Nation so often followed its greatest challenge? For if
a single artist can decide to follow his passion—paint the way he wants
to—portray the world as he sees it—then that power can be found within us
all. And that beauty can be brought
forth by a family—by a city—by a country—by a world.
But it remains our
responsibility to use—to overcome. No
matter what the others may say. No matter what they may do. The future demands it of us—if it is to be
any more than a repeat of the past. And
our souls demand—if we are ever to meet the highest calling of ourselves—for us
not to loose what makes us special, beautiful, and unique. It is our role to play, our picture to paint,
and as long as it is incomplete—so too is our story and that of the world in
which we live.
You've got to be a fool to want to stop the march of
time. (Pierre-Auguste Renoir)
Quotes Retrieved from: http://www.robertgenn.com
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