Guilty feeling of artistical non-contribution

[Drealm]

Ok, I explain what is this!

From early in my life, I always enjoyed a lot of artistic creations, mainly music and movies.

But now as I grow up, I feel like I should contribute in return to these worlds.

Sometimes I deeply think: "I can't just go to work everyday and doing nothing artistic, just doing a meaningless job. Not after all enjoyment that music and films brought me."

I think good artists have this ability to give some meaning to life. The guy who collect my garbage do that I have my trash got out of my house every week; that's ok. But he will probably never touch the heart and soul of anyone, he will always be just the guy next door; his job could be done by a robot, it would not change anything. But can a robot compose great music? I'm not talking about fame, but about giving some meaning to life beside just "living", or surviving. How can someone be happy by just "living", earning money for himself to buy things for his comfort and that's all; it lacks some generosity, not in terms of giving money to the poor, but giving something to the soul. There must be some kind of spiritual meaning of life that everyone is searching for. Can this be done only via artistic mediums, or there's some other way to find it?

A great artistic creation can touch a lot of people in a unique way that can change the life of some individuals. But it's not in terms of money: "when I won this million of dollar my life changed...". It's about soulful meaning : "since I discovered this album, it changed the way I see life, it gave my mind a meaning about life that I never thought possible, it opened my mind to new grounds". That's what I'm talking about. Our personal life seems a little pointless if we just listen to creations, without creating some; it's like a sharing process that needs contribution by everyone. Is it just a question of talent? Sometimes I think that everybody have something great to say and that talent is just a tool to express it; so if you don't have talent, you end up shut up. Is that so?

If there were no music, I often wonder how the hell I could be really happy. Liking an artist's work is one of the most meaningful thing I can think of.

So I feel like I should contribute in some way; all my life I just consumed music, but never played or created any. I feel guilty of not participating in what I enjoy the most. I know, I just have to actually begin to do it. I think will. My life can't just be about earning money and buying things and just listening to art. Maybe I will discover that I have no talent to express myself?

Am I alone to feel like this? Does anybody here feel ashamed of doing nothing in return to the musical world? Why is there so creative people who are not afraid of doing great things while others just do normal meaningless things?

I don't know exactly what's the point of this thread. It's just a thought that got unsolved.

[Music Head]

Damn dude!
Way to deep for this early. I gotta have a few cups of coffee.

In my case, some people are just talentless

[Tiggi]

I don't think there's anything wrong with just absorbing your art.

I've tried guitar, and the time required to reach a standard I'd be happy with, just doesn't compute, so I stick to listening. My spending facilitates the efforts of talented musicians, & I feel it's a bit like the patronage Classical composers used to receive. It's a symbiotic relationship !!

Have a go at making some art, and I'll be happy to discuss it...

[gryphon]

Don't think you have to feel that you have to contribute by making art or music .........its a two way thing those who make, need someone to listen and those who listen need someone to make.....the big thing is to enjoy whichever you do......................

[pennywill]

..How can someone be happy by just "living", earning money for himself to buy things for his comfort and that's all; it lacks some generosity, not in terms of giving money to the poor, but giving something to the soul...

You just described my brother and his family. I call them 'cow people'. Granted I'm the total flake of the family and all, but whenever I'm describing something cool their very first comment is always "Is there good money in that?" AAAHHHHHhhhhhhh!

They are the people who should feel ashamed of their lives, not people that enjoy the arts and think they have value other than "Is there good money in that?"

[Drealm]

You just described my brother and his family. I call them 'cow people'. Granted I'm the total flake of the family and all, but whenever I'm describing something cool their very first comment is always "Is there good money in that?" AAAHHHHHhhhhhhh!

They are the people who should feel ashamed of their lives, not people that enjoy the arts and think they have value other than "Is there good money in that?"

It's funny you say that. I totally share your point of view. It's hard exchanging with such people! And the worst, they seems to base your "value" on your monetary success: a radiant bank account is everything and a radiant soul is nothing...

I don't think there's anything wrong with just absorbing your art.

I've tried guitar, and the time required to reach a standard I'd be happy with, just doesn't compute, so I stick to listening. My spending facilitates the efforts of talented musicians, & I feel it's a bit like the patronage Classical composers used to receive. It's a symbiotic relationship !!

Have a go at making some art, and I'll be happy to discuss it...

You are right, I already came to this conclusion (I've tried guitar, and the time required to reach a standard I'd be happy with, just doesn't compute, so I stick to listening), and now you just remembered it to me. Probably a part of being a good creator is beginning young to master an instrument so it become a natural way of expression all your life. Sometimes I envy vampires because they can live a thousand year...imagine how much instruments we could have the time to master...after 1000 years, I could probably end up with a incredible masterpiece.

Don't think you have to feel that you have to contribute by making art or music .........its a two way thing those who make, need someone to listen and those who listen need someone to make.....the big thing is to enjoy whichever you do......................

Another good point; one of my main qualities in life is listening; to music, to people, to movies, I like listening: it's probably how I am and I must accept myself as so.

Damn dude!
Way to deep for this early. I gotta have a few cups of coffee.

In my case, some people are just talentless

Come back to me after your coffees! Sorry for this hard wake up!

Hey thanks everyone, I thinks that what you all said solved my thought. I feel better now! I'll go listen to music!

[Tiggi]

Excellent !! Glad to be of service...

[pennywill]

I envy Vampires as well, but not if they have to be as melodramatic as in Twilight. Can you imagine a thousand years of THAT angst?

[Drealm]

I envy Vampires as well, but not if they have to be as melodramatic as in Twilight. Can you imagine a thousand years of THAT angst?

I've not listened to Twilight, so I can't answer. I was thinking more like in the "Interview with the vampire" film kind of vampire!