Art. It Helps.

I’ve written about art every day for the last 30 days, as a way to prepare myself for tomorrow.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

It helps. Art helps. That’s what it’s supposed to do and always has done.

There is no time to waste on things that don’t nourish us. If spending time with your family nourishes your soul, do it. If watching Real Housewives makes you happy, do it. But if you turn on the TV to make the world go away and then come away a few hours later feeling empty, go searching for something more nourishing. We need you and you need to be there for others, and there’s no time for emptiness when there’s so much to fight for.

I’m making an inventory:

• What makes me laugh, real cleansing belly laughs?
• What gives me energy when the tank is dry?
• What brings me peace?
• What music can I turn on when I can’t listen to the world anymore?
• What passage can I read that makes me believe in something and inspires me?
• What artists can I seek out, again and again, to affirm that I’m not crazy and I’m not alone?

I have my answers to these questions. Do you?

Once you have answers, make it easy to call on these. Make playlists for every mood. Buy the goofy movies you need, and be okay with fast forwarding straight to your favorite scenes. Print out that poem that makes you cry and keep it close. Bookmark those YouTube videos. Follow your favorite author.

Every single option is a good one, if it’s good for you. Just own it, and let’s make sure we have what we need to keep ourselves going in tough times.

Art, however you define it, can help, in whatever ways you need it. If you go and get it.