Both Things Can be True (And Opposites Attract)
“Just give me the summary.”“Just tell me if it’s progressive or conservative.”“Just cut out the nuance and give me the bottom line.”I suspect a lot of this unintentionally arose from the wave of business ‘innovation’ in recent decades that led to shorter meetings, standing meetings, and of course PowerPoint and bullet lists.Now, first off, I love bullet lists! They are easy to read and digest, much easier than long, loquacious paragraphs.But over-reliance on shortcuts and statements that declare absolutism even in the slightest form is not a good sign for society. Nor is it good for us generalists who have multiple lines of creativity we hope to share with potential customers. Plus, let’s remember that old saying, opposites attract.The art world has also been a strong proponent of simplistic rigidity. Only when you are already an established (aka high-selling) artist, are you free to go wild and explore different methods and mediums — which are then celebrated. Emerging artists, working with their gallery if so blessed, are urged to create a uniform body of work and not deviate. To be featured in a show, “please deliver 10-12 pieces in the same theme, color palette, concept, etc.” Then, if that sells, oddly, the pressure grows to keep doing more of the same. “The market likes it therefore you make it.”All of this is easily understood and even accepted if you’re familiar with the working of the human brain. The old brain, our early brain, the limbic brain in the back of the skull (where it cannot “see” but is ruled by emotion) was designed for survival advantages. And it does a damn good job of that!Then the evolution of human consciousness came along and we started using the front brain, the thinking brain, the awareness brain which has a larger capacity for considering opposite ideas. Abraham Maslow so brilliantly shared with us this range of different human motivations.I like to think we are in another age of enlightenment as we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion across genres and geography. Of course, that old brain is still on duty, and we want it to be. But it’s not effective for it to be in charge. It really does belong in the back seat, napping, until it senses something that may pose harm. Even then, though, best to give the tip to consciousness and let the front brain manage all the incoming signals. Because there’s usually more than one and they may be competing with each other.I feel compelled to add a mention of the “both sides” mindset that could be helping clear the air but often only obscures it. It’s why I talk about the contrast between the old brain and the conscious mind. They are both sides of the brain but one is vastly more competent and valuable to us. Ignore the old brain at your peril, sure, but don’t give it equal time or praise. It doesn’t deserve it.This, in a nutshell, is my life. Dedicated to the study of consciousness, as an end goal in itself but also to manage the deep-seated fears I was formed with. All parts of the brain can contribute to a long and happy life. Certainly, it’s your choice whether you prefer the hot-headed reactionary force of the back brain or the sweet song of consciousness. I prefer the latter AND I respect the former. We do have choices and they can change moment to moment.In this same vein, you can feel better by being able to weigh opposite points of view, rather than assuming you must stay in your own small world to feel safe.
Now for the plot twist:
In this newsletter, I will be sharing ideas, experiences, and things to buy from me that may seem all over the map. I don’t want to be a one-note wonder though I am envious of those who are naturally drawn to a singular pursuit. It’s just a fact that some are and some are not.To share my creative pursuits with you is a gift. Time truly is a precious asset these days as we can be distracted easily and also genuinely intrigued by so many things! Sadly, this can lead to over-consumption in many forms, so consider this a plug for minimalism, too.One of my neuroses for so long was that I was embarrassed to sell my work. I loved developing marketing campaigns to help others sell their work — but was/am timid about letting you know what I make and how you can acquire it or support it.This newsletter will be free until 12/31. I want to see how it feels to write to you once a week, which is my current intention, delivered on Mondays. [Oops! I apologize for being a day late this week.] I may continue to keep it free though I am in awe of the many writers happily paying their bills with related newsletters. The challenge has been to come up with something “specific” so it is easily grokked by a quick drive-by and yet deep and rich enough to be meaningful to you, the one consuming it and to me, the one making it.On Twitter, I wrote this:A Substack for everyday people, dealing with everyday challenges, looking for non-judgmental solutions, from a person who's dedicated her life to raising consciousness. Come join me and let's feel better together.That is very vague, I know. I also know that some people will get it immediately. And within the vagueness is the freedom for me to focus on the broad topic of MINDSET while dressing it in the colors and textures that I find compelling and that I hope have universal appeal. If you have friends you think would find this nourishing, I ask you to share this with them.Let’s feel better together.
Free for Now
I love free things; being an early internet adopter (1993) this is now embedded in my DNA. On the other hand, I am a Capricorn and those bills don’t pay themselves! I cannot escape this experience of “both things can be true!”I have many items available for purchase that I’ve created to bring joy and insight to you, as they have for me. So I’m going to experiment with featuring a “purchasable item” in every newsletter. This is what we non-famous people do to sustain ourselves, and you, my non-famous readers, can become part of this ecosystem.In my ideal world, I would love for people to feel good about sharing their worth, without having to go into extreme “Look at me, look at me, LOOK AT ME!” territory that is ubiquitous online. So that’s why I am naming all this out loud as I navigate my place in the Give and Take economy of ideas and creativity. Have no doubt that you will have access to the best pricing I can offer. This is not to demean my work but to reward you for spending your currency (time, attention, money) with me.
May I Suggest:
This post’s featured image is titled Opposites Attract from my Little Darlings collection. Would you like a framed print?I make channeled archival ink drawings that have personality and are a way to bring ‘dialog art’ into your home or office. I make them 100% spontaneously — no pre-conceived ideas or tools such as pencil and ruler. They are free hand and each one is unique to the moment in time it was created.I offer this one as a framed 10.25” square, printed on watercolor paper with a black wood gallery frame. The retail price is $125; for you, it is only $85 plus $10 shipping to U.S. destinations. If you’d like to purchase, please click reply to this email and I will send you a private invoice.It can also be made in any size you like and finished as you prefer.
Let’s Feel Better Together: Your Turn
What are some of your favorite “both things can be true” ideas or experiences? I’d love to hear them as meditating on these opposites is a big part of how I learn about myself and my preferences in this world. Plus, we have comments here! I much prefer conversation over one-way talking.Thank you for reading Mindset with Roxanne Darling. This post is public so feel free to share.
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