Artists

I once heard the definition of an artist as being someone who shares their soul for a living.

(Mike Posner - I Went Back To Ibiza (Official Lyric Video)

There is so much I could say about the Mike Posner story.  I didn't know of him in his pre I Took a Pill in Ibiza days, when I would have had no interest.  But he is another example, and a reminder we all need, that sometimes pain is a gift.

It forced him to grow.

And how when we try to live lives without pain, or prevent others in our lives from facing pain.

We hijack their growth.

This is not a new concept. It goes all the way back to the Buddha who led a life shielded from all suffering.  Then left the palace walls and saw there was more than ease and pleasure, which led to wandering for years, and finally transformation under the bodhi tree.

On top of the opportunity for growth to occur from suffering. I would like to remind us all (including myself) that

 "not all who wander are not lost" Tolkien.

https://variety.com/2026/music/news/mike-posner-i-went-back-to-ibiza-recovery-guest-column-1236685527/