All the Ways that Service-Centered Art Helps My Heart
In all the years that I have practiced seeing life as a reflection (learn more about that here), one thing has become abundantly clear: loving life through service helps both me and the world around me to flourish; it’s a natural reciprocity. Indeed, with the world as a reflection, service to others and self-love are two sides of the very same coin that always work together. Then, when I make art of the process, the grace and peace of those reflections ripples within me and all around me.
Here’s how and why I’ve committed to a service-centered focus in my art:
Serving life also serves me.
I’ve found that serving others has tremendous side benefits for me too. Firstly, it helps cultivate the empowerment that’s inherent in the present moment. No doubt, the pressures and challenges of our world can be overwhelming because they’re so often rooted in situations that are far away or in the future. Though there is certainly value to caring for all the challenges around the world (and the challenges that we might leave to future generations), it has felt very ungrounding to be constantly focused on things that are so far away. Community service, however, reminds me of the power that lives in the here-and-now where I can address challenges directly, thus experiencing the benefits of love in real time. This empowerment energizes me and keeps my heart open to the challenges that are farther away or in the future. No doubt, community service is a powerful hope-generator.
What’s more, community service gives me the opportunity to build service-oriented relationships within my local environment. These relationships provide a strong network of caring individuals who provide both psychological and practical support throughout these challenging times. This community support is a key factor in building resilience, confidence and joy as I continue to face the rapid changes of our world today.
Finally, service-centered art broadens the space of my heart in ways that have helped heal the wounds and confusions that I’ve carried from romantic love. As I create love songs and tell love stories that include more of the world around me, the pains, insecurities, and inadequacies that have come from romantic love are superseded with confidence in the love that I’m growing through my service. No longer distracted by a hungry heart, I am filled with the joy and gratitude that is naturally reflected by that which I serve (and those with whom I serve).
With the world as a mirror, love for one is love for all.
With that in, the most magical part of service-centered art is that it serves everyone involved: me, those I serve, and then the audience.
When shared with others, art itself is also a service.
Though we live in a culture where the arts tend to get treated as frivolous snacks, they are, in fact, primary food for the heart. Often seen as a thing of talent, a means of entertainment, or as a little side-hobby, the arts merit more recognition as a viable source of service. Without a doubt, I have been served by the artists who have put enormous dedication, discipline and devotion into their art as a service. Art that’s made to nurture compassion, confidence, and care is a fountain of love for all our communities. Learn more about my favorite creative ingredients and recipes here.
The Special Power of Art in Service to (our) Nature
Though I have found great inspiration and benefit from all kinds of service, the reflections that I’ve found in service to the natural world have been especially supportive and meaningful.
No doubt, just connecting to the natural world is mega-magic. In fact, it has been scientifically shown that exposure to nature can help with a whole bunch of really important stuff like lowering stress, feeding a good mood, easing anxiety and depression, improving our brain power, strengthening our immune system, and keeping our emotions cool1. Even indirect experiences with nature (such as virtual viewing) have been shown to legitimately emit nature’s good vibes2.
However, with the rapid modernization of our world, including the growth of urban centers as hubs of human habitat, many of us have largely lost a direct connection to nature. The disconnect is illustrated by a study that found that since the 1950’s cultural products (movies, songs, books, etc.) that reflect on nature have declined significantly3, demonstrating how nature has slowly slid out of our collective consciousness.
But, it would help us if we brought nature-art back. Anything that supports our mental health right now is of the highest value, and nature is a key ally. In 2023, 90% of adults said that they believe that we are facing a mental health crisis4. This is understandable with the corresponding rises in “climate” or “eco-anxiety” that are often connected to increases in mental health challenges5.
Without question: we need help, and nature’s gifts are not only free, but guaranteed. In fact, it has been found that even one profound experience with the natural world not only promotes positive behaviors towards the environment, but significantly supports our individual well-being6.
Plus, in times of distress and confusion, nature offers infinite wisdom. As one of the most resilient super-beings in our known reality, Earth provides tremendous insight on how to adapt to change, live in harmony, and thrive throughout our endless evolution. By noticing patterns in how life succeeds as a whole, I’ve gained insight into how to support the thriving of my own life, and the world at large. Then, when I serve nature, all of nature’s gifts flourish even greater.
Hear more about how I’ve learned to serve (our) nature
Nerd-out with me with nature’s wisdom:
To sum it all up, service-centered art feeds the heart of This Wonderful World in a few ways:
Growing understanding and care for our local environments
Building healthy communities of support
Maintaining the psychological strength that’s required for peaceful resilience and a life that’s thriving through changing and challenging times
Thanks for being part of this wonderful creation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125471/ , https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21580103.2017.1420701
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_modern_life_became_disconnected_from_nature
https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8499625/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.764224/full