Pramod, that is a good idea. I try to weave some of my best and worst experiences into other texts but this could be an interesting project some day.

Chinle, I know exactly what you mean. Some experiences become part of who we are and giving them up is as inconceivable as giving up a body part.

David, your words echo my own thoughts. I was not suggesting anyone punish themselves on purpose, but merely that hardship should not always be avoided at all cost. It can, at times, lead to great rewards.

Mike, these are good points. There is no doubting the happiness that comes from achievement. What I really meant was that pursuing accomplishment is a better state of mind than pursuing happiness for its own sake, independent of any meaningful achievement.

Emily, that’s a good point. What you describe as joy is the feeling of deep reward when I have experienced or created something truly meaningful, beyond the momentary happiness of checking off another beautiful and well-worn trophy.

Brad, thank you for the kind thoughts! And your note about putting your heart into your work is exactly what I meant. It may or may not be a happy experience, but it is deep and rewarding beyond simply being happy.

Tom – thank you!

Darwin, it’s always an honor to be mentioned on your blog and I will urge anyone reading to follow it closely. It is a constant source of inspiration.

Rodney, I think you are arguing the same thing I am. I never equated having memorable images with happiness. Happiness doesn’t matter. Many of those greats you mention had the means to opt for easier and more lucrative paths but chose to stick to their art even when it made them miserable. They, too, realized that short lived happiness is a hollow victory. Meaningful achievement, even if plagued by tragic circumstances, is still more rewarding than simple happiness.

Guy

Just found out about your site and blog over at David DuChemin’s blog.

Wonderful images and very thoughtful musings……

It makes be a bit sad but I love your quote:

“I fear that future generations will judge us harshly for our failure to place proper value on wildness, diversity, open space, spirit, solitude and other treasures of the natural world still available to us today. May they at least know that some of us tried”

Let’s not stop trying to preserve this beautiful globe.

There is comfort in those words Guy, the circumstances of ones life can be controllable or uncontrollable at any given moment. Our past and desire for happiness in the future determines much of our own reactions to the moment. At times of happiness one may seek a leveling out pursuit so as to prepare for the uncontrollable which will take the fleeting happiness from us. To be able to cherish those moments of peace and serenity and carry those memories is what gets myself through those times of despair. A new dawn will arise each day, with it the unforeseen will come, how we chose to handle it is, for myself, the ability to allow those cherished moments to overcome those of despair.

The artist must pursue what he or she loves, all else is superficial. Not until the heart is put into ones artistic creations does it have any personal meaning even if it only moves the artist and no one else.

On a more personal note, the love you and Sarah provide for Cletis and Maggie is unmeasurable, I can not set here and write how I understand how you feel, that is simply impossible, my loss for words is a human condition that just plain sucks.