Prowess

 We love to admire and reward athletic prowess. It’s right in front of us all the time. It’s easy to enjoy, and it’s often wrapped in spectacle. Unfortunately, we don’t have the same love and admiration for intellectual and artistic prowess. 

Athletic prowess makes us cheer, feel good, be entertained. Intellectual and artistic prowess make us think, be challenged and grow, demanding engagement and effort on our parts.

The Olympics give us a good example. We love to watch the spectacle and disciplined performances, which come as a consequence of hard and dedicated work by the athletes. But many of these athletes are supported financially, clothed, coached, fed, publicized and given the opportunity to make their quest their life’s work.

What awaits the writers, artists and performers who put in as much time and hard, disciplined work? Some make the big time, celebrity and financial reward. But many produce at levels of excellence,  with little attention and financial support as they swim upstream in culture.