Ignorance is Not Bliss

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I have often talked about being self-directed and quietly persistent throughout my life. Which means I have learned to move through life using instinct and intuition. A considerable amount of living, making mistakes, discovering, exploring, and questioning had to run through my veins before I could begin to trust myself. Having an artistic mindset, being a firstborn, and being an Aries helped.

Like many, I was influenced by trends and societal expectations. It was hard not to be when you’re just trying to fit in because “normal” seemed the only path where I grew up. By ‘normal,’ I mean being like everyone else and not ruffling feathers or stepping outside the lines. And although it appeared I was following that path, my internal self was on a constant screaming track and, at a minimum, I resisted the rules of normal whenever possible.

There was, and is, so much I question internally about what is considered normal. For example, every day there is a situation that comes up where I ask, "How is it that people treat each other so horribly, with no provocation, and don’t think twice about it?” And frankly, there are many people who naturally irritate me, but unless they are in my face and interrupting my space, I walk away quietly, persistent in my need for some semblance of peace.

I am not a perfect person by any stretch of the imagination, but unless I am provoked or see a wrong being done, I treat people respectfully.

Regrettably, bullying behavior rarely gets treated or called out as the scourge it is. The boys-will-be-boys excuse and revenge behavior are considered normal and have been elevated to a higher and more prevalent status. It is a behavior that drips with insecurity, and there is an abundance of that going around these days. Women are not necessarily immune.

What I imagine for myself most often comes from my heart and soul. I have worked to avoid autopilot as a mode of operation. In the past, I rarely let others know what I was thinking for fear of being told, ‘No, you can’t do that,’ or ‘What a ridiculous idea.’ I kept my dreams and thoughts tucked away within the safety of my internal vault. I eventually reached a point where I didn’t care what anyone thought about my ideas. I now live with relative flow, even when there are occasional disruptions, which in my view are challenges to be taken on.

Like many artists I have come to know, we create as a means to make sense of the world and thus forge a channel in which to survive and thrive. As a result, our process becomes more deliberate and is not subject to trends or market demands. We have come far enough to know that sliding into normalcy is not what being a creator is about. Oh, sure, many may get caught up in an art world that breathes greed and fame, but artists who are true to themselves do not. Those are the artists who withstand the test of time.

The relationship we have with our creative selves and where that fits or does not in our lives has become more personal, less performative. My own relationship is of the quiet and consistent kind. If my work is noticed, wonderful; if not, so be it, I will still continue doing what I do.

Artists do not navigate a world dictated by society. Those true to themselves do not accommodate others at the expense of their creativity, just to get along or fit in. Little we do as creatives is normal, which is why, historically, artists of all genres have been and continue to be ridiculed, banned, excommunicated, arrested, and censored. This is what makes the work we do even more important.

As someone who lives within the dynamic of an artist’s mindset, I am constantly questioning the constructs of normal, whether it concerns creating art or daily living.

A thorn in my side since I can remember is why it is a normal practice to pit girls against boys, women against men. Selling the idea that men are better, stronger, rational, analytical, financially savvy, blah, blah, blah, has always been a patriarchal ruse and indoctrination sold as normal.

Scientists tell us we all have female and male traits, in varying degrees. This is what makes us unique in our appearance, skills, and behaviors. We need to cut off this bullshit notion that a woman is all woman and a man is all man. We all suffer because of this misguided belief. Physical features should not cage anyone from being respected and valued for who they are at their core.

This is what fuels the deceptive and unfounded fear of women, people of color, transgender and LGBTQ+ communities, and anyone else who does not fit the norm of straight white males. The intolerance of differences is maddening, and for what? Because someone is insecure in who they are, homophobic, sexist, a closeted gay person, or obsessed with power over others? Just stop.

It is also what fuels the sickening fear of children and how best to control and manipulate our young people through gutting our educational system of all its history, diversity, and humanity. This is the path to creating robots in the likeness of those in power. “Ignorance is bliss” is the propaganda we continue to face and fight off.

My preference is that gender not even enter the picture. Could you explain why I need to check the female box on various forms? What does it matter, and why is it considered normal to ask? Why are there options to check whether you’re married/divorced/widowed/single? Or Mrs., Miss, Ms, Mr., Dr.? Not to mention someone’s ethnic background, and why is Caucasian an option, while all the others are race specific? I know white is used more often now, but again, what is the purpose?

Yeah, yeah, there are many excuses or reasons those in charge will give for checking those boxes, but dig deeper and ask yourselves, what are the real reasons behind those classifications?

It is intolerable to me that this is considered normal. None of this should matter unless manipulation and discrimination are in play, which, we know, has been and continues to be the case.

This is so damn insane.

Nothing, NOTHING is normal when you dig deeper. Every day is different. The sun rises and sets each day, but each day it looks and feels different. Our thought process is altered with each passing hour as the circumstances of our lives shift every minute. Furthermore, ignorance is not bliss; it is the death of a soul. I challenge you to ask the questions.

As an artist, I imagine a world where ALL people are allowed to thrive in whatever way works best for them, and putting screws to the damn mold of normalcy.

As an empath, the fact that so many people are unable to share in the wonders and beauty of the world, equally or at all, is heartbreaking.

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your time in a world of overwhelming change, information, and misinformation. Stay vigilant.

Art Image: Shifted by Light is a piece I recently created because my soul needed to reveal the light that does exist; the light we all need to shift our focus and perspective.

Michelle Lindblom - An Artist’s Journey