It's the beginning of Autumn in Michigan. I'm of two minds about it. I drive a lot so I tend to worry about winter driving conditions more than most. I mean I start worrying in September about what the roads are going to be like in January and I don't give myself the opportunity to enjoy the beauty that is all around me.
But there will be a few days when I'll be driving that the colors of the forests will be breathtaking. And, if I'm to be truthful, there will be some days in winter when the same views in nearly monochrome white, grey, and brown will also be inspiring. And all I have to do is notice it. Quite a bargain.
There is, of course, a lot of ugliness in this world and that seems to be what we end up discussing. The news organizations thrive in that environment so we get a steady stream sadness, anger, or outrage. I've always thought that it is a responsibility of the artist to try to balance that with beauty. It's easy to reflect the despair. Anyone can do it. The hard part - the "art" part - is to find the rose among the thorns.
We can be inspired by items in nature or the actions of others. However we can't compete with nature any more than we can compete with the human heart. I will never be able to play a song that is more compelling than the sound of a child's giggle. As hard as I've tried, I've never been able to capture the sound of love or the contentment of a cozy evening. But the attempt causes me, and others I hope, to notice such things. To pay a little more attention.
When I see a band play they always look like they are having a lot of fun. When I was a kid that was what first attracted me to music. Who doesn't want to have a little fun? Many of my students have that same thought. Even the beginning adults have visions of sitting around and making music with their friends. I always emphasize that this is a valid goal. But there are a few more goals that can be folded into the process. Beauty, peace, harmony are also valid pursuits.
So I try to teach my students to not only play their guitar, but to use it to create beauty. This can be done with a simple song. No need to over complicate things. Just notice the pretty things nestled among the mundane. Be at peace with the guitar, not at odds with it. And they can still have fun. Maybe even more fun if they do it right.
I'm neither painter nor poet, actor nor dancer. But I imagine their struggles, though technically different, are still similar. To use the beauty of the life around us to create our vision of beauty, and then to pass our knowledge and skills on to others.
I'm lucky to be able to live such a life and will try to remind myself of that fact as I quietly play my guitar on a cozy autumn evening.