Thread:Ancient Alien Astronaut/@comment-25989346-20160618094930/@comment-32738051-20160624044426

Amen, Solon.

Starry, starry night Flaming flowers that brightly blaze Swirling clouds in violet haze Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue Colors changing hue Morning fields of amber grain Weathered faces lined in pain Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand Now I understand What you tried to say to me And how you suffered for your sanity And how you tried to set them free

The above is from a well-known song and I hardly want to start quoting poetry, not even my own, lest we go way off topic but what you said, Solon, reminded me of a recent email exchange of mine. A long time ago, I had spent time in London and while there had seen a very rare production of the second quarto of Hamlet. It was very memorable and I still consider it one of my favorite Shakespeare performances. But there was no program provided as a memento and though I can vividly remember the performance to this day, until recently I hadn't been able to remember where I had seen it. But with the help of the internet, I finally tracked down the theatre group and recently sent them a rather enthusiastic thank you. The man who led the group and the production at the time had recently retired but they forwarded what I sent them to him and he sent me a nice email back. He couldn't believe I still remembered the performance after more than 30 years and he really appreciated it. But what touched me most was when he said that it made him think that perhaps a life in the theatre was not a wasted one.

Well, I hardly think he truly believed that, though I could tell he was just as touched by my correspondence. It seemed like he was well-known and well-respected by the theatrical community, at least in London. But I mention it here because no matter how we choose to express ourselves, whether in the creative arts (for others or just for ourselves), socially amongst friends and family or in the workplace with coworkers and customers, that we express ourselves is important and has a place in this world. It is never a waste and it is always worth the effort, no matter how small or great the value may seem and even if others or even we ourselves don't realize that value until well after the moment we express ourselves.