The Flood of Need and the Artist’s Feeling of Helplessness
In times of trouble there is a sense of tightening in the body. Our muscles contract and our blood pressure rises. The primal urge to survive the moment, causes us to forget to breath deep and allow oxygen to fill to our brains. In turn, we are paralyzed and feel waves of helplessness eddying inside of us.
The current example is the war in Ukraine. There are so many areas of need, but at the same time, alone social media robs us of effectiveness and life’s energy. Yes, it is good to be informed (not from polarized newspapers and TV). To be honest, the tendency has already been that we were already lost in the flood of information, before this began. So, needless to say, when crisis comes, this trend is more than overwhelming.
In the middle of the flood, we still feel the need to do something meaningful. But where do we start? The urge to run over the border, change history, become a hero, save people out of burning buildings and feed the masses is maybe not realistic, but it is exactly that what burns within us. The “petty” attempts we make at helping e.g. through posting, encouraging others via social media, donating small amounts of money to charity organizations in the crisis zone, going to demos, etc. can often seem senseless. It’s not, but our inner urge to help is much bigger.
A rtists and artist-like people have it hard(er). Why? Because we are emotional, which means in other words, passionate. We need to express the burning within us to the fullest to feel fulfilled and we need to express this to the fullest to serve a purpose. But as passionate people, we have a hard time limiting ourselves. We want to pour out our passion in all areas of need. We want to force change in the politics. We want to convert people to “our” opinion. We want to feed the hungry, save the animals, bind the wounded, stop a war, go to a demo… at the same time, we are parents or lovers or employees or business owners or just plain struggling in life. It is impossible to do everything all the time with 110% energy, vitality and performance.
This is a shotgun effect. It is wide-spread, but not effective. To make change, we need to invest and be smarter with our energy and resources.
Here are some tips for investing your energy in times of trouble:
- What is your sphere of influence?
- What are your talents and strengths?
- Where can you invest this?
What is your sphere of influence?
This is a key point. Personally, I would love to talk some sense into politicians, but they are unfortunately not in my sphere of influence. Who is within your range of impact? What can change or where can you make waves? Do you have (Ukrainian) friends or family you can support or encourage? Do you have a group of people that can collectively shout to get a message out? Do you have money to invest in NGOs that are helping in the situation that concerns you? Or start your own NGO? If you do know politicians or large business owners, can you talk to them? Can you travel and bring things to those in need? Do you have nice, but used clothes you can give away?
What are your talents and strengths?
T his might overlap with your sphere of influence. Are you a cook? Cook for the needy. Do you have properties, where you can house refugees? Do you have a car? Do you have a voice? Write, paint, dance?
What about strengths? These are usually based on a person’s stronger characteristics like being a visionary, managing people, supporting others in their purpose or just plain being passionate about something.
Artists have talents. How can you use these, for example, to support a war torn country? Or to still your broken heart’s desire to stop a war? What kind of artist are you? Then that could be your answer. Dedicate your art to a purpose. Yes, it is enough! Instead of panicking, licking my wounds or feeling helpless, I take time as a writer to write. My talent: writing. My strength? Passion and encouragement. With this combination I write poems about the situation and make people aware. In this article I am helping artists like myself to be encouraged. Go, create art with purpose!
Where can you invest this?
C ombine your talents and your strengths. Are you a florist (talent) with a heart for homeless people (strength)? Create beautiful bouquets for shelters. Are you a singer who wants to donate money to charity? Write a song, tell the people if they buy a copy that the money will go to a specific purpose. Are you translator with a heart for suppressed people? Give the writers there a voice in another language. If you can travel to where the help is needed, you could e.g. give painting courses in orphanages, paint murals to support and encourage people rebuilding their cities or maybe just go there and support a group of artists however they may need it.
This list could go on. I think the formula is simple, but we need to hear it. We want to make change, so we need to trust that a focused purpose makes more impact. The burning desire in us can also hold us back. Purpose-driven art in all of its facets will help you find meaning and serve those you wish to reach.
Postface: the war in Ukraine is unacceptable. The destruction of nature, infrastructure, human life and culture goes against all humanitarian laws and common sense. It is overwhelming how much need has been created overnight. As passionate people we want to help everywhere: the refugees, the people who stayed, the wounded, the orphaned, the helpless, the widowed, the hungry, the financial devastation, the artists without a voice, the destroyed history and scarred future.
Breathe. Focus. Create purpose-driven support and or art. You will bring change in you, for the Ukrainian people and for peace in this world.
Mark Allen Klenk 26th of February 2022 Vienna, Austria
