Do you hear me?

My son came home from school Friday asking this question

"Why do musicians 'go nuts'?"

And quickly added

"And artists too?"

Before I could answer he turned and looked at me

"Are you going to 'go nuts'?"

I laughed and said

"You have nothing to worry about, I'm already there."

~ ~ ~

I told him perhaps it's that creative people not only have to deal with real world issues but also their own thoughts. If you're not careful, and see them for what they really are, those thoughts can twist things around and 'muddy the waters'. The best thing to do is find ways to clear those waters and learn to hear your thoughts before really listening.

Confused he asked what the difference was.

"It's like when I say do your homework and you just nod. 

You hear me but you're not listening."

I told him that's why I blog and paint even when it looks like crap. I asked him if he can tell the difference when I don't. Wide-eyed he stated I get really crabby. I said it took me a while to realize that sometimes you need to open up to others in order to connect with yourself. That creating is like a personal friend that doesn't need to be perfect. And that both these things help you understand, and appreciate, yourself.

He nodded. He wasn't listening anymore.

I laughed and said

"Anyway, you think I'm an artist!"

tee hee