A few days ago, I posted on IG a sketch of one of my favorite personalities. I was anxious as I hit the “share” button, but what the hell!?
I noticed a day later that the personality reposted my sketch! The first comment on her repost was “This disturbs me”. Granted, I’m not an Artist… I’m an artist. I sketch for myself, and I enjoyed doing this. I was thrilled that it was reposted.
My reaction was “Fuck you” and after looking at this person’s profile (who is a photographer, hence also an artist) I blocked them. Then I thought about my reaction. Why would I block them? To keep them from seeing my other sketches? I post it for people to see.
So I unblocked him, and thought about why he would comment at all, if it truly disturbed him. To get a reaction out of me? What would that prove? Why put the energy into the comment?
Then I thought about something I have seen before “Love it or Hate it, the purpose of art is to elicit a response” I elicited a response (more likely a reaction) from this stranger. I didn’t react back. I didn’t respond, apart from this post.
Since I’ve started studying A Course in Miracles, I’ve been watching how I react or respond to situations. This whole situation could have caused a huge grievance which I would dwell on over and over periodically for months, or even years. “Remember when you posted that sketch and that one guy commented…”
But I don’t want to have that darkness lurking around. I’m letting go of his comments, and of the other comments saying they liked my sketch. Detachment.