A few moments ago I was listening to YouTube and a news ad came on that was on the conservative side of the spectrum. It lead me to think about our leaders and the defenses that people on all sides of the spectrum have for their actions. I have little interest in the politics of division and the conformity to current socio-economic perspectives and feel even more galvanized in the Artful life as the world desperately struggles to reinvigorate its soul. But I will say this about our leaders. Are they leading to give every single person under their leadership the best life possible, the best chance for them to live freely and nourished? Are they doing so at the expense of any other person, under their leadership or not? And do they consider the life of the planet and all things as part of our own lives and therefore work towards the best harmony possible between us and the natural world? If the to any of these question is no, then these leaders are working with systems of triage. Systems that function on deciding who suffers rather than a system that thrives on all being nurtured perpetuate cycles of war, judgment, division, and tyranny.
So what is the answer, what kind of system can maintain leadership that does aim to serve everyone at no-one’s expense? I suggest we explore the Artful system and the idea of Artful leaders. Leaders who serve life the way a painter serves a painting. There are Artful principles that translate to service of the basic needs of life. Harmony from contrasts, composition of serendipity, something from nothing, simultaneous oneness and individuality, and knowing every variable matters. Leaders are like Artists in that they have a canvas to work on in the form of our systems of living and paint to work with in the form of people and resources, for example. If they adhere to the service of creation, of life, that Art can connect us to, the canvas, whatever it might be, is beautiful, functioning on many levels, and as a unit based on the loving composition of its variables. And this approach to ledership, believe deeply, is possible if continue to explore the Artful Life.
No system changes or evolves over night, though momentary sparks can light chain reactions that compose evolution. We have to start someplace. The Artful life requires a connection to Art, and we start that in our own lives. It can be visual, musical, literary, culinary, horticulture, and so on. Pay attention to the colors of things, the sounds and language of patterns and form. Respect the dirt and the things that live in it as you add you contribution to it. Connect to the energies of creativity in you regular life. In this way we may have a chance to evolve Artful leaders to take humanity further.