If You Never Did?

December, 2015

If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good. - Dr. Seuss

I keep thinking that the present is ghosted by what has gone before; we are contributing to a story mid-way which allows for learning and pleasure. I keep thinking that in our pursuit of serious [art] making, we mustn’t forget to delight in pleasure. Making something – anything! can be joyous: startling, mysterious, nourishing. To love and laugh as you make something for someone is adding colour to canvas: bringing life to the present and honouring the story of which we all are a part.

This December heralds the ending of a shared year that has been full of storied hope and things to achieve. We look to Christmas and the chance to relinquish the weight of work, and unmet expectations. It is time for beauty. It is time to celebrate word become flesh: to be wrapped in love, and held unquestioned – without judgement. It is a time for rupturing shadowed moments: to laugh with friends and hear their stories. It is time for pleasure.

I keep thinking what if we never did? Rupture the moments? Risk loving? Take the first step to fulfil a secret, sacred dream? What if we never did dance, or sing, or paint? What if we never did pursue the elusive, beautiful things that are too hard and can only be achieved by the work of faith? What if I never did?

This December rolls towards new beginnings but we are still mid-way in remnant acts of making art work. This past year has seen changes: some knotty, some tangle-free. But I keep thinking what pleasure there has been and how grateful I am for the deeply significant moments in which we really did risk, move, and change.

I am thankful for the remnant artists and collaborators I’ve had the privilege to work with – and have enjoyed spending time with each unique person. I’m aware it’s an extraordinary gift to do what you love – with people you love. If I never did, my life would be impoverished: thin, aimless, indulgent. I am surrounded by artists clothed in light, by friends who tell it as it is and by individuals who love truly and well. I hold this gift with gratitude - a small pleasure that lights the next step and fans into flame the hope I have for the [artistic] work of 2016.

Image: sketch of (from L to R) dancers Caroline Stevenson, Jacqui Otago, Ellen Avery, Katie Chown by Amanda Humphries for the winery psalms project, reprinted with permission.