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From The Other End of Life
You have to realize that the vast majority of things attempted in the arts aren’t good. They are attended by great hope and ambition and good intentions, but it is very hard to create anything of value in the arts. Accept this. It is also the reason we love so much the great play or the exquisite piece of music or the work of art that speaks to all people. These are big and rare and wonderful things. Most things are bad. Somehow you have to ignore and erase the effects of these bad attempts while also supporting and caring for the well-meaning siblings who did the bad work. Something good may eventually happen; something of merit may appear. Shield yourself while at the same time extending kindness. This is, I think, one of the hardest and noblest acts of the artist.
— Tennessee Williams
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Fate is purpose seen from the other end of life. When engaged with the true aim of one’s life, looking back can be revelatory. In the end, very little is lost. Once the key is found and the door of the self opens, it all makes sense; the ascents and descents, even the tragedies and failures can be revalued. When the door between the worlds begins to swing, the values of time and place are altered and everything can have renewed meaning.
— Michael Meade, “Awakening the Soul”
