have decided to be an artist at this time in your life.
First let me congratulate you on your choice. From
here on, you enter the endless magic life of being an
artist.
The world is your oyster: It will provide you with
unlimited material for your art. Look at it again from
that point of view. Suddenly the world is a different
place, so interesting, so beautiful, and so mysterious.
Have fun with it. And share your fun with us.
You, as an artist, will unfold the infinite mystery of
life and share it with the world. It may just be two
people your work will communicate to. Don't be upset.
Be upset if you are not happy with your work. Never
be upset about how many people have seen it, or how
many reviews it has received. Your work will exist and
keep influencing the world. Moreover, your work will
keep changing the very configuration of our world no
matter what kind of attention it gets or doesn't get. So
even when you are an unknown artist, be caring of what
you make and what you give out. Your work, no matter
what, affects the world, and in return, it brings back 10
times what you've given out. If you give out junk, you
get back junk. If you give out confusion, you will give
yourself confusion. If you give out something beautiful,
you will get back 10 times more beauty in your life. That's
how it works. You are now like a tree in the park. Your
existence is making the city breathe well. So relax and be
yourself. Don't try to be anything but yourself. Rely on
your instinct and inspiration. Go with it!
By the way, my thanks to you for being an artist. I
am aware that I will be one of the many, many people
who gets the benefit of your decision. I wish you great
success.
I love you!"
Yoko Ono, from, "Letters To A Young Artist."
