We all have the conversation about living a life with no regrets but how many of us actually put that into action? It’s a noble thought and for many the mighty force that puts us in motion is a diagnosis with a life-altering diagnosis. Postponement is not one of the tenets of most people’s lives. It’s not something we put on our resume as the highlight of our qualifications and yet most of us perfect this life strategy.
At a recent lecture by Dean Sobel, the curator of the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, he spoke about the life Clyfford Still led including how is life ended. He was an Abstract Expressionist Painter hanging with some of the most well known artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem and Elaine de Kooning as examples. He had enormous success both in the art world and in his teaching of art to young impressionable artists.
Clyfford Still left the public eye and took his art with him in the mid-1960’s. He went and he secluded himself and painted the entire time. Mr. Sobel said that 94% of the work remains from his lifetime as an artist yet most of it was never seen. In 1979 Clyfford Still was given a huge honor and a huge solo exhibition. It had been about 16 years that he had not been part of the active art community and now comes the pinnacle of his recognition. Clyfford Still died the middle of 1980 from cancer.
If he knew that he was going to become ill would he have held up in his home all those years? If he knew that there would be one last hurrah would he have tried to create smaller opportunities? I don’t know the answer to that but I can ask you “what are you waiting for?” It’s cliche to ask “is there something you want to do before you die?” and that’s not even the question I want an answer to. I want to know what will get your to stop the postponement game and take an action today. It might be something simple, but if it means something to you that’s all that counts.
We have a tendency to think about life in terms of “If Only”. My hope for you is that you begin making a shift to a new question, the question is “What Next?” Let me know how you’re doing with this shift, I’d love to be able to support you in your journey.
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 