Art isn't changing the world.

Hey there {{first_name}},

What thoughts come to mind when people say "art will change the world"?

I've heard this type of phrase my whole life. And it's a lovely idea spoken into our culture in some degree or another from Bob Dylan, Leonard Bernstein, Frida Kahlo, and John Lennon, just to name a few.

Forgive me for being a bit cynical, but there's more art now in the world than ever, and has it really changed anything? Are people actually happier and empathetic toward one another? Are there less wars?

The answer is a resounding no.

Can I propose a new phrase?

Creating art changes the world.

I think the artist receives much more transformation toward love and empathy through the process of creating the work than we (as listeners or viewers) will ever have in studying it.

Creating something that was never there before is ultimately an act of generosity, because there's no guarantee that the world will see it, or love it.

It's vulnerable, it's scary.

Case in point, the worst critics and assholes in the comments on YouTube are never other YouTubers. They're people that aren't doing anything but consuming.

The ones doing the work rarely are shitty toward each other, because they know how hard it is to put something out into the world. The art of making a video has transformed them into a person of empathy for others trying to do the same thing.

For me, I have 4 ways of creating: Music, Painting, 3D Print Modeling, and YouTube video creation.

Whenever I'm scared, depressed, or feeling insecure, I pour myself a cold Fresca and go make something. A song, an abstract landscape, a 3D model, a video. In fact cooking sometimes does this for me too (although I'm pretty new at it).

The process of creating something gives me such a massive self-esteem boost--but not in an arrogant way, rather as a reminder of my value, and how I fit into the world.

Creating shows me my raw abilities, both the good and bad. It gives me a chance to see into my subconscious.

It gives me a chance to laugh at myself, and my flaws, which leads to self-grace.

It soothes my pain, in a weird way.

And I wish everyone created stuff.

Winston Churchill did.

Before returning to power during World War II, Winston Churchill spent much of the 1930s in political exile, a period he later referred to as his “wilderness years.” During this time, he took up painting as a serious hobby, producing over 500 works in oils. Far from a mere distraction, painting gave Churchill a means to process deep emotions, develop focus, and cultivate resilience. Many historians believe that this creative discipline helped sharpen the very qualities, patience, vision, and emotional control, that defined his leadership during Britain’s darkest hours.

He was transformed by creating.

Perhaps our world would be transformed if everyone were writing music, or going to pottery classes on the weekend.

Write me back if you have a thought on this, or can relate.

Zion

PS, if you want to make music with me every week, click here.

(no AI was used in the making of this. except for the image)