The truth of artful living
I came across this article many weeks ago but am just now getting around to really putting some thought into what it had to say. When I first read it I had some very strong emotional reactions to the authors points. The basis of the article is that if you “Learn to live a simpler, more natural life, and drop the pretenses one at a time.” you will have a easier more fulfilling life. The author goes through several examples of things in his life that he has come to the realization that the true motivation behind them is to impress others. So I agree with this article in premise but at the same time find much fault in it.
I agree that taking actions for the wrong reasons can be very detrimental to your happiness and success. If you do as he says for example and attempt to impress others at work by “doing things that are artificial and false, and often stretch too far and fail, or at least show your shortcomings.” I don’t agree with his assertion that if you strive to impress others, or your self, you are going to do things that are artificial and false. I am including yourself because at least for me when I am proud of something I’ve done I know I’ve done something really well. Your success at attempting to impress depends on what you choose to do and how you choose to do it. These factors will determine if you succeed or fail.
Additionally when he talks about decoration what I get out of the paragraph is that having lots of art in a house is nothing but an attempt to prove to others that you either A. have money, B. are cultured or C. both. What about those of us that are really passionate about art? What about those of us that get a lot out of looking at interesting art? Art can be incredibly important in creating a healthy environment. I feel he downplays the importance things like art can have in a persons life that has nothing to do with how that person is perceived by others.
While I agree with the premise that you should not take actions to impress others I really disagree with the theme in the article that people who choose to dress nicely, keep a nice house, drive a nice car, enjoy art and decoration, ect are all doing it just to impress others. Many of these things for many people have other motivations that are truly fulfilling.
In the end we all need to find balance.
Hopefully many of us are already just taking the primary advice of the article, and of what you’re saying, and just living with what makes us happy for our own sake, and not others’. I see what you mean about his tone implying that a desire for fancy things almost necessarily comes from showing off to other people. He’s right to target a common American trait, but the exceptions (like you and I, I hope) will just have to shrug it off and realize we’re already there.