Exalted
Art has no meaning, no value other than what we give it. To see beauty we have to see beautifully—we must look with an exalted effort.
And suddenly, as with Alden Schofield, the ordinary can become glorious. Our optic nerves are always on duty—always at work. They can distinguish between something that’s familiar or threatening, or maybe something that’s good to eat. You see our way through life...moment-to-moment.
Art? Beauty? Let’s face it. It’s a low priority in the scramble of everyday aspirations and deadlines. Natural beauty is all around us. Human-made art is around us, also, but, like Alan Braley, you have to be open to it.
To value art, we must also give value to the artist. Although some have more internal fire and more mastery over their visions, you have to reach out to connect—touch hands. If the artist is 500 years dead or still living, the work of art is still alive, still dreaming, still searching and still sharing its secrets.
Art, music, poetry and the other arts can take you to emotional and intellectual highs that you never thought possible. If the artist had any power and pride, you will feel it and be exalted.
So we have to look and listen. Listen closely. Shut out the babble of the world for just a few minutes and visit the origins of the human mind. We can climb out of PTSD darkness and be exalted.