You can't be a resource for others unless you nourish yourself. Alexandra Stoddard

 When I first saw this prompt, I thought of food and lamented how much I hated my cholesterol lowering diet, as it had taken away one of my favourite past times and ruined it. I do just eat for nourishment now, and that is very dull indeed.  

However, once I got thinking. I realised I thrive on a different nourishment. I am a firm believer that you can't pour from an empty cup, and so whenever I feel my mood dip, or feel I deserve a reward (or let's face it, just want to) I sneak off to an art exhibition, the theatre or a concert. I have written about it many times - too many times to list here. I always find myself elated in these experiences, or transformed, or energised by thought provoking ideas.

"The arts, quite simply, nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like that exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom". Gordon Gee

I love being in an audience. Sharing the experience with strangers. Dancing in a crowd or laughing, crying in unison. It's not the art itself, but the feeling of community that brings the nourishment I need.

Julian Barnes sums it up best in The Noise of Time, when he says "Art does not exist for art’s sake: it exists for people’s sake.”

COVID has hit the Arts sector hard. If you can, make sure your getting out there in support. I know it can be expensive but there are events put on by the government, or you can use your Discover vouchers at most Sydney theatres to reduce the price by $25.  Look also at Today's Tix or other reduced rate offers. Go to bars that are putting of free live music.  Go to the galleries, many are free like White Rabbit. Remember, use it or lose it. And I really don't want to lose more than what we already have with this thing...and you might discover it makes your heart sing too in the process.

What nourishes you?

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