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How We Can Make a Difference for Good
Yesterday was a disgrace. Yesterday was disappointing. It’s sadly becoming apparent that we are,as a country, more divided than ever and today’s events show that this division is reaching dangerous levels. We saw people storming the US Capitol, forcing our elected officials to cower in fear. In the past year, we've had violent protests that involved destruction of property, theft, vandalism, assault and murder. I fear, if we don’t come together as a people, it will get worse. A house divided will fall. We, individually, can't stop those protests, riots, or insurrections. But we can, in our small niche in the world, focus on making things better. So let’s stop doom scrolling and focus on what we can control.
First, we must learn to approach each other with gentleness, love and kindness. If we demonize one another, this divide will fester. Those on the right need to understand that everyone to left of them is not a socialist. And those on the left must understand that anyone to the right of them is not a racist or fascist. Yes, some on the right may be horrible racists, and, yes, some on the left may be freedom-threatening socialists. It’s an imperfect world, and that’s reality. There are a few bad people. But most people aren’t bad people. Most people are good, I still believe that. So, understanding that, we need to continue to work together in a positive way to find solutions, working within the system, that work for us all as a unified people.
So what can we do individually? It starts with you and me, personally, being as kind and understanding in our interactions with others as possible. I’m redoubling my own efforts to post only positive things on social media and to be as gentle and kind in my interactions there as possible. I invite you to join me in that commitment to positivity. You can’t control what others do or say, but you can control yourself. Make the world better, not worse.
More applicable to what we do: now more than ever, people need beauty. People need art. Artists need resources and inspiration. We can and should continue, and even intensify, our path to inspire the people of the world and the divided people of this country, through great art. Art is universal. People of all persuasions love music, love literature, love dance, and, yes love beautiful visual art. That is something people, everywhere have in common. And, in a time that common ground seems scarce, anything that we can do to inspire people, to bring people together, is more important than ever. It's the mainstream media's job to show people the worst humanity has to offer, it's our job to show people the best.
Lastly, just like you and me, our customers are anxious. When they contact us via email, social media, telephone, zoom, chat or anywhere else, we simply must provide them with a delightful, inspiring experience. It’s possible, likely even, that you or I will be the bright spot, perhaps the only one, in someone’s day. Pay it forward.
If we each treat others with kindness and understanding, and if we each strive to inspire and delight, perhaps that positive sentiment will spread. Perhaps we can lead by example.
And perhaps, if it spreads enough, the travesty that we saw at the US Capitol yesterday will represent the lowest point we, as a nation, reach, instead of it marking a sinister beginning of a darker era.
You are already the best team in the business at inspiring artists. I’m asking you, and this is simply a request, to double down on that skill and to utilize your talents to spread inspiration through our collective sphere of influence.
May we become points of light that, joined with others, become a force for good.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Clint Watson
BoldBrush/FASO Founder & Art Fanatic
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