Naturally—let me plume myself—it was a success. I have proved to myself once and for all that with a strong enough will one can surmount any obstacle.
—
from In America, a novel about a Polish actorby Susan Sontag, one of my favorite writers. Because Susan Sontag is a thinker, a theorizer, she often inserts what it’s like to be an artist in this book. I don’t doubt that she draws parallels between this highly successful female actor and herself. I can’t help but find these parallels in myself too. I want to think that my will can take me far, and I know it can. The job search, and this sort of inherent definition of Who We Are based on our job, is wearying. At some moments—many moments—it doesn’t feel fair. But this actor, and I think Sontag, trusts herself. I trust myself, deep down. I have to. I think artists must—must—have this trust within themselves to make it through this capitalistic life. A place where we’re fooled into thinking that we’re Workers instead of thinkers, perceivers, givers, lovers.
Don’t stop reading books. Don’t stop thinking, seeing, feeling, going. Traveling. Life is here, now, in your hands, no matter how far away it seems at any moment.
