Life as Art

Someone (and you know who you are) asked me how a Home Economist (like me) would describe a life well lived. In two words: Choice Living.

Choice Living is life as art. It's that simple (to describe). Fine art is a rare achievement (hard to do). Masterpieces in living? Well, what can I say?

Why is choice living so hard to do?

Because one has to start somewhere. Start with nothing. And it's all ahead of one. There is this taking on the effort requisite moment classically illustrated by the wail of a newborn baby. It's daunting. Then there is the cold hard splash of the new reality to confront, to grapple with, to adapt to. We all have an approach-avoidance reaction to the challenges posed by life-there's no shame in that. The prospect of endless experiment, selecting for the best, refinement and practice of an endless parade of behaviors and attitudes and approaches before one finds a keeper has stalled many a good start.

Doing life is time consuming, trialsome, exhausting, disappointing and ultimately, most of all, eventually successful and exhilarating. Hopefully! It's an uphill battle for everyone but a battle that every one of us at best wants to win or go out trying, at the very least. But battle each and every one of us must. Needless to say, over the duration there are opportunities, accomplishments and rewards aplenty, luring us on. The thrill of victory is just that--the THRILL of victory. It can be a big help in luring us to be our best.

Thankfully, most of us are born with a real appetite for life.