No, you are not Atlas. And you don't have to hold up the world.

 

 

 Flaming June by Frederic Leighton, 1895

Thanksgiving is past. Nonetheless, the mechanisms that run the capitalist state are just now getting fired up, because the gift-giving holidays are upon us. The voices from the netherspere are telling us that to be truly smart, clever, and patriotic, we must get out there, start shopping and grab those Black Friday and Saturday and Sunday and Monday deals.

Why? Because--

The tariffs are coming! The tariffs are coming--so buy! Buy! Buy!

It's exhausting, isn't it--especially after the fall we've had to endure. The fall, indeed. And then, there's the uncertain future and the knowledge that every news cycle will bring another exciting calamity where we have to keep our eyes glued to events as if we're watching a car crash or an episode of Game of Thrones and we’re wondering who will survive life on the island that is America.

But, Creative Friends—you are not Atlas. You did not unwittingly lead the Titans into a war against the gods. And you certainly have not been condemned to hold up the heavens and the sky on your lonely shoulders for the rest of all eternity.

All eternity. Because yes, friends. He's still up there, holding things together. Poor Atlas!

So, be grateful. You are one person. And the good news is that you are creative. This means that you can make things. You can write letters and you can paint pictures and you can improvise a dance that's never been seen by human eyes. You can initiate a dazzling conversations. You can make up a song. And you can do all this without bandying up your hard-earned cash.

But, before this, be thankful for what you have in front of you right now. I give you full permission to rest. Dream. That's your creative prompt for this week. And besides, after all this hustle-bustle, you deserve a nap.

Love,

Jamie