26 Jan Why we are all artists
It’s a bit of a simplification but we live in two worlds. The world around and outside of us and the world inside us. In our childhoods most of us are mesmerized by the world around us and our ability to make things happen in it. Young children delight in knocking things over, kicking footballs or otherwise manipulating objects in the world. As we grow older we try to bend the world to our will. When we reach the limits of our ability to change the world to suit us we turn our gaze inwards and start the journey towards Self-actualization.
According to Wikipedia………
“the term (Self-actualization) was originally introduced by the organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize one’s full potential. Expressing one’s creativity, quest for spiritual enlightenment, pursuit of knowledge, and the desire to give to society are examples of self-actualization.”
“The concept was brought most fully to prominence in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory as the final level of psychological development that can be achieved when all basic and mental needs are essentially fulfilled and the “actualization” of the full personal potential takes place, although he adapted this viewpoint later on in life, and saw it more flexibly. Self-actualization can be seen as similar to words and concepts such as self-discovery, self-reflection, self-realisation and self-exploration.”
” Abraham Maslow noted, the basic needs of humans must be met (e.g. food, shelter, warmth, security, sense of belongingness, etc.) before a person can achieve self-actualization – the need to be good, to be fully alive and to find meaning in life.”
” In his studies, Maslow found that self-actualizers share similarities. Whether famous or unknown, educated or not, rich or poor, self-actualizers tend to fit the following profile;”
1/ Efficient perceptions of reality. Self-actualizers are able to judge situations correctly and honestly. They are very sensitive to the fake and dishonest, and are free to see reality ‘as it is’.
2/ Comfortable acceptance of self, others, nature. Self-actualizers accept their own human nature with all its flaws. The shortcomings of others and the contradictions of the human condition are accepted with humour and tolerance.
3/ Reliant on own experiences and judgement. Independent, not reliant on culture and environment to form opinions and views.
4/ Spontaneous and natural. True to oneself, rather than being how others want.
5/ Task centering. Most of Maslow’s subjects had a mission to fulfill in life or some task or problem ?beyond? themselves (instead of outside of themselves) to pursue. Humanitarians are considered to have this quality.
6/ Autonomy. Self-actualizers are free from reliance on external authorities or other people. They tend to be resourceful and independent.
7/ Continued freshness of appreciation. The self-actualizer seems to constantly renew appreciation of life’s basic goods. A sunset or a flower will be experienced as intensely time after time as it was at first. There is an “innocence of vision”, like that of an artist or child.
8/ Profound interpersonal relationships. The interpersonal relationships of self-actualizers are marked by deep loving bonds.
9/ Comfort with solitude. Despite their satisfying relationships with others, self-actualizing persons value solitude and are comfortable being alone.
10/ Non-hostile sense of humour. This refers to the ability to laugh at oneself.
11/ Peak experiences. All of Maslow’s subjects reported the frequent occurrence of peak experiences (temporary moments of self-actualization). These occasions were marked by feelings of ecstasy, harmony, and deep meaning. Self-actualizers reported feeling at one with the universe, stronger and calmer than ever before, filled with light, beautiful and good, and so forth.
12/ Socially compassionate. Possessing humanity.
13/ Few friends. Few close intimate friends rather than many surface relationships
Ultimately we progress from making quick scribbles with chalk or crayons as children to making our very selves a work of art which takes us our entire adult lifetime.
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