Bold Beauty by Marilynne eichinger
Acrylic Painting/ 30″ by 24 ” / $ 350.
Seeking Passion
A preview: The following excerpt is from my book, “Lives of Museum Junkies.”
Publication will be complete by August of this year. I’ll keep you posted. copyright © 2016 by Marilynne Eichinger.
“Passion has many definitions. It can include love and rage, sometimes at once. It can mean fear and hate as found in the writings of Mao Tse-Tung or joy, a feeling that is natural to all people. When I watched the movie Gandhi, I observed a man feeling a rage so intense that it moved him to action. Gandhi was willing to die for his cause. His love for his homeland and his compatriots was so powerful, so overwhelming that he was able to justify sacrificing himself. In the process of freeing India, he provided an important model of peaceful resistance. Martin Luther King based his civil rights marches on Gandhi’s lead, as did Nelson Mandela. The passion of these men helped win their fights for freedom.
I spent many evenings with my children discussing the pros and cons of passion. My most fervent hope was that they would be willing to take the risk to live honestly and with commitment. I did not want them to be afraid to experience the rewards and the pain that comes from following opportunity. When they were young, I tried to help them discover things to do that they would find absorbing. It did not make any difference what their interest was as long as it was legal. I wanted them to experience what it felt like to be totally invested in an activity and to be consumed so that it occupied their minds for hours each day. My hope was that when they became adults they would crave the feelings experienced as a child, and transfer their desire for passion to selected careers.
My views were influenced to an extent by my parents. Mother was a Republican and staunch capitalist. She believed nothing was beyond my grasp if I became focused and passionate about my undertaking. Mom convinced me that at the very least it was my responsibility to try wholeheartedly to reach my goals. As a side value I learned how important it was to have family support for my activities. My mother believed it was part of a family’s responsibility to their children to provide a consistent and positive foundation. She encouraged me to participate in various ventures and, if I failed, to view it as a learning experience—no problem. I am sure that is why I see failure as a precursor to success. It is also why I am not afraid to try.
Dad was a Social-Democrat who dedicated his life as a physician to serving the poor. He believed it was his responsibility to care for others less fortunate than he. His actions led him to seen as a saint to his patients and an eccentric to his family. We all paid a price for his passion as he worked around the clock to take care of those in need. I remember him getting up at two or three o’clock in the morning, rushing to see a patient in hospital or home. Observing Dad’s total dedication to his profession was inspiring to a young mind.
Martin Luther King Jr., the Kennedys, and Nelson Mandela knew the risks of advocating social and economic changes. As the nation honored these men of conviction, surely their families anguished over whether the risks taken were worthwhile. Janis Joplin, Judy Garland, and Jimmy Hendrix were passionate about their music and yet were never satisfied with their accomplishments. With every performance they were compelled to do better, to be more perfect. They were afraid of slipping, of being ordinary. They had passion for their art, but they lived without compassion for themselves. All three committed suicide. There is a delicate balance between dedicating yourself to a cause and maintaining a sense of identity. This is a great challenge in a meaningful life. . . . .”
More recently I am moved by stories of Mohamed Ali and by the actions of Bernie Sanders. Both men lived passionately and stood by their beliefs. Ali in particular exhibited tolerance for those who thought differently but was effective in finding ways of getting his views heard. From the distance of my living room I believe Ali and Sanders have lived happy, fulfilling lives. They have done their best and were not afraid to try.
Art work is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
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For sale on Amazon by Marilynne Eichinger: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. Go to AMAZON .
