When I was a young woman I was very involved in modern dance. I spent all my time at a dance studio in San Francisco. Jenny Hunter was my teacher. I will always remember what she repeated to me often. She would say, Art is a Gratuitous Endeavor. No explanation of what that meant. I pretended that I understood her words. I was nineteen years old; what did I know?
I never understood those words until today. I consider doing this blog and writing on any other sites as works of my art. They are my ideas, feelings, photos, and my way of viewing the world. After receiving that nasty e mail this morning from someone, I was very upset. I was hurt. I was angry and I was going to just give up the blog and any other writing. At least that angry person might have had the decency to give a name to the comment. No, the nasty comments I receive are always sent anonymously.
Jenny's words came into my mind today every time I thought of that comment. I looked up Gratuitous online. It means --given or received without cost, or given without return or recompense, granted without pay....
That is mostly what artists do. They give of themselves because they HAVE to do that. For the sake of self expression. Now, unless you consider the two cents a day that I am receiving, I am doing this online stuff gratuitously...I don't even think they have sent me the two cents a day. It takes a long time to get up to a hundred dollars and that is how long they wait until they cut a check.
If you don't like me or what I have to say, then why bother to read my blog? Why bother to write a nasty e mail to a person who is having a hard time at the moment? I am not going to let one nasty remark ruin my day or stop me from my self expression.
I feel sorry for people who have to do things like that. I promise myself that the next time it happens I will NOT publish nasty remarks, especially ones made by people who don't even give their names. Seems very cowardly and petty to me.
I love my readers........And I thank all of you for being so helpful to me during this hard time for me. Being a shut-in does not suit me at all! I am an active person. This is a difficult time for me.....Thanks again. Patricia
I'm so glad you decided to post again today. Bravo! You PUT YOURSELF out there every day -- as YOU. You are the exact opposite of cowardly and petty. You are extremely brave, Pat! I love what you write and photograph and I admire you very much.
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie, Now you are making me cry, your comments mean a lot to me. Thank you so much. Your friend, Patricia
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThere will always be people who make nasty remarks, bully others and hide behind the anonymous signature. They do this type of thing so THEY can feel better. It really has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Ignore them.
Your work on your blog is so helpful to others, especially people who are curious about Ajijic. You are so open and unpretentious and I encourage you to keep on keeping on. You do a great job!!!
You don't realize how many people you help through your blog. I enjoy the pictures so much. I wish I was half as brave as you to move to Mexico away from my family.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Thank you...... That means so much to me. I appreciate those kind words. Patricia
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, You too have had a big impact on my life. I admire your courage and your faith. I am so glad we met. Your friend, Patricia
ReplyDeleteMean people are a drag. Just tell'em to kiss-off, that's my method of coping with the dark side.
ReplyDeleteHi Norm, Thank you for taking the time to comment on this very difficult subject for me. I have a hard time when it comes to that kind of stuff. Thanks, Patricia
ReplyDeleteMany times unwarranted critics are a desire to bring a person down to the level the criticizer feels they are on. In other words they probably feel you are accomplishing things they wish they could. They envy you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your posts. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for your comment. I feel sorry for anyone who would envy me. My life sucks at this point. I am a shut-in. Life is passing me by...It feels like this will never end. But thank you for your good wishes. Patricia
ReplyDelete