We All Have Blue periods.

Here is my perspective on our Blue Periods, depression, and creativity.

So, Picasso had a blue period, basically 1901 - 1904. He was understandably

depressed after the suicide of his friend and that depression lasted several years. A rose period followed, which was good. It all ended up by Picasso being so famous his signature was more valuable on a check than whatever amount he was writing. I think it would be nice to be rich, but I think fame is probably a pain. What I really got is that depression is something we all face.

Depression will lift. One gets therapy, employs spiritual practices and techniques, maybe takes medications, all of that is useful. The idea that the depression will lift is important to embody. The sooner we can get a grip on how hard life can sometimes be and get to work on dealing/coping/making adjustments/ maturing/ whatever….the better. Suicide is a real tragic waste of life. That should go without saying, but I’m saying it anyway. I may never stop being sad over friends who checked out of life, in my view, way too soon.

I won’t lie; I’ve contemplated suicide when I was much younger, but not for long. Somewhere I have a deep-seated love of being alive. My first thought of it was when I divorced my first husband. A thought crossed my mind that instead of suicide I should consider homicide. I snapped out of the funk instantly. Sounds strange but that’s how it was. Life in prison did not seem like a good option so I moved on. Once I got a hold of my center again I was able to consider another relationship and that has been solid. We worked hard at it.

Of the friends who not get passed their depression and gave up their lives, there is a special ache in my heart for them. How could I not help them? But rarely does the cure come from outside of the self. You need to know that the Universe does not make junk and you are here on special assignment to check life out. We are lottery winners to be here. We don’t know how hard it will be or what challenges will crop up, but we are equipped for most of it, so please… keep going. We are here still, making choices. My choice is to keep being alive and making art. Yes, I’ve also had to do other things to pay the bills, but if you are an artist, or writer, or whatever is your creative urge, you keep doing it. That’s how you get better; it is how you learn and hone skills. There is no substitute for sitting down and doing it.

Oddly, I’ve found that great joy has not inspired much art. In times of great joy maybe it is better to have the fun while it is happening. Great sorrow doesn’t do much for me, either. Distance, on the other hand, perspective, that is the gem. “This, too, shall pass.” Looking back, thinking about those times, wrestling with emotions and thoughts may feel like grabbing mist, and yeah – those things can trigger creativity like turning on a faucet. You just keep doing it.

Suspend whatever cranky voice may be telling you to not bother. Don’t listen to that voice. Just keep doing it.

Know there is a faucet to turn. Know you can turn it on. Know that you may not know what comes out but with practice, you can get pretty good at knowing where to sink a well and draw up that life giving water. Your Rose period is sure to follow. Peace to you.