As I sit packing up my favorite books I like to open them up randomly. Often I find myself reading passages when I should be packing unable to put them down. I love finding little anecdotes to collect and share.
From “The Roaring Silence: John Cage a Life” by David Revill:
In 1932 the young John Cage was a struggling artist living in Santa Monica CA. He decided that he needed to make money so he came up with a plan.
“He canvased door-to-door, asking Santa Monica housewives if they would be interested in a series of lectures on modern art, ten for $2.50. “I didn’t want to be a professor, I just wanted to get by,” Cage remembered. “I explained to the housewives that I didn’t know anything about either subject but that I was enthusiastic about both of them. I promised to learn faithfully enough about each subject so as to be able to give a talk an hour long each week.”
During these lectures Cage met several people who became instrumental (pardon the pun) in his career, including some art collectors and a famous composer who became his teacher for a time. This teacher changed the way Cage thought about time in relation to his work.
The lesson garnered from this story; you never know what will come up when you just put yourself out into the world in new and unexpected ways. People you didn’t know you were looking for are bound to find you. The universe opens and gives you little surprise gifts.
I wonder what will come up for me as I start out on the teaching path in a few months? Who will I meet? What stories will I share? What new books will I read?
8:11 pm
Such a brave individual, to step out of convention in order to make his way…like someone else I know.
11:16 pm
Sounds like an interesting book!
1:46 am
You have had your share of experiences lately! And you approach them with such wisdom. Our everyday experiences are truly our spiritual practice and you exhibit this in spades. You will love Vancouver. And if you don’t there is always Salt Spring Island!
8:01 am
Thanks for the inspiring story. I just made a list of books to order from the bibliography in ‘Living Out Loud’, before I take it back to the local library. Your words and pictures are helping me have faith in following my heart. I love the new design website by the way.
4:12 pm
hi Keri,
I always enjoy endless inspiration from your blog and writings. Thank you so much.
It’s so strange coming across this as it’s pretty much my thinking behind creating the experimental art e-course I’ve launched this year. I love art: making it, sharing it, learning about it, and pursuing it’s endless possibilities. Going back to art school as a mature student was the best thing I did.
Good luck with your teaching post – I hope it’s everything you dreamed it would be :)
Amelia.x
5:03 pm
That is amazing what John Cage did! Inspiring. I’m glad you have made comments open again as every single post of yours I want to say “I LOVE THIS!” so right now for you…
I LOVE THIS!
5:29 pm
Rather serendipitous that I happened by here today…was encouraged and inspired by this little story. I particularly like the line “you never know what will come up when you just put yourself out into the world in new and unexpected ways.”
Thank you for sharing this.
1:48 am
I become interested to learn more about John Cage, is there any book about him, or written by him that you recommnd to read?
4:25 pm
Love this story! and feel excited about where your life is taking you Keri. With love! xo Andrea
