concert at Carnegie Hall<\/a>, featuring not just the music of the composer Arvo P\u00e4rt, but Arvo P\u00e4rt himself. It was a one-of-a-kind night. The orchestra and choir played some of his most popular and enduring compositions. There were several moments when the music lifted me right out of myself.<\/p>\nI had similar moments on my recent sabbatical to Europe. Beside the natural beauty we experienced, Gail and I were struck by the architecture and museums.<\/p>\n
Both of these experiences have reinforced my personal commitment to make room in my life for art. Over the years, I\u2019ve found that nothing brings me more joy and better inspires my own creativity than good art.<\/p>\n
One of the first times that I really became fully aware of art\u2019s potential power was when I was managing a young musician. She had just written several songs for her new album and asked me and my business partner to listen to them.<\/p>\n
I knew her, and knew that she was talented, but I cried when I heard those songs. It just hit me out of the blue. Art does that.<\/p>\n
What Art Can Do for Us<\/h3>\n
In our pragmatic culture we usually see art as optional. We drill this into kids from an early age. We tell them to be practical and belittle their dreams because we can\u2019t imagine how they\u2019ll make any money pursuing them.<\/p>\n
But the truth is, art is indispensable. Art gives us meaning. There are things that cannot be understood with pure reason\u2014like love and beauty, to name two. Art helps us understand our world.<\/p>\n
It does that because it helps us transcend our world. I said that listening to Arvo P\u00e4rt lifted me out of myself. Art has the power to point us to the divine, to the ultimate Artist. It doesn\u2019t answer all the questions, but it can shine a light on questions we didn\u2019t even know we had.<\/p>\n
And art requires something of us. At the most basic level it can stir us to gratitude. But it can also awaken the creative imperative in us. As people, made in the image of our Creator, we have to do more than merely produce. We have to create, to express, to give life to the ideas inside us.<\/p>\n
The cool thing is that creativity works like a muscle; the more we use it, the stronger it gets.<\/p>\n
And here\u2019s the good news: We don\u2019t have to attend exclusive concerts and travel abroad to get more art in your life. Some of the most rewarding artistic moments I\u2019ve ever had have been in my own living room or around a friend\u2019s dinner table.<\/p>\n
5 Ways to Get More Art into Your Life<\/h3>\n
As I\u2019ve thought about this subject, I\u2019ve come up with five super simple ways to get more art into our lives.<\/p>\n
\n- Cultivate a taste for beauty.<\/strong> As with so much in life, making room for art starts with intention. Take time to notice beauty. When we hear or see something stirring, we should comment on it to deepen the impression. Talk about it with someone close to you. Share it if possible. However you approach it, make it a priority.<\/li>\n
- Set art-related goals.<\/strong> How many of last year\u2019s Academy Award-winning movies have you seen? How many of the great novels like The Brothers Karamazov<\/em> or Moby Dick<\/em> have you read? Make some lists of artistic works you want to experience and then get a plan to do so. Planning is the first step to doing.<\/li>\n
- Revisit your childhood hobbies or interests.<\/strong> What if you can\u2019t think of any types of art you want to pursue? Go back to those things that got you excited as a teenager\u2014possibly the same time that part of you got shut down. Did you draw, write, paint, or play an instrument? Even if you don\u2019t go that direction now, it may open up doors for other kinds of art that work for you today.<\/li>\n
- Cook, garden, and build stuff.<\/strong> I don\u2019t do any of these things, but most people around me do, and they love it. There is so much joy that comes from artfully preparing and sharing food, or successfully working a garden. Which leads to the final point\u2026<\/li>\n
- Make some of your own.<\/strong> One reason Apple has thrived is that they have tapped the power of art. Their product design is engaging and compelling, definitely. But another major way they\u2019ve tapped that power is by enabling their customers to be creatives. From movies to music to graphic design, Apple has led the way in helping people express their art.\n
If you want to really find joy, make space in your life to create things of beauty. Don\u2019t merely consume\u2014contribute, create, fashion, and share.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t