how to outlive your first death

This time, I suggest you watch the video first and then maybe if you still feel like reading, return. Or, you're free to skip.

https://youtu.be/aanZ7PZc6HM?feature=shared

#acnotes

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Thank you for returning. Now imagine a song that was written on a paper bag first and then rewritten to perfection in pencil on paper that got auctioned for USD 1.5 million. Well, comparatively it's way lesser than the price of the masterpieces painted by the Dutch post-impressionist. That said, I hated to affix the above facts, but many know the worth of something only when it carries a price tag. And for the few who don't give a damn, they're blessed with the good fortune of making art that's timeless. And this holds true to both 'Vincent' by Don McLean and the song's inspiration Vincent Van Gogh.

Now the reason I requested you watch the video first is, that's the ending of the movie Loving Vincent. And the frames gently fade to this impeccable cover of "Vincent" aka "Starry Starry Night" by Lianne La Havas. A voice that carries the melancholy in its arms and gently offloads it onto the viewer. I've read in the comments section (ps: YouTube Comments section can be a treasure trove or a rabbit hole, tread cautiously) how many wept uncontrollably and some held onto their tears while listening to this version. Guilty, I was one. And it's true how you feel for someone who has left a dent on the universe yet never bothered about the fame or fortune, while they were at it. I don't want to land on a moral of a story to reduce his existence to a lesson. It is not. His life will continue to inspire, just the way it inspired Don McLean and then Lianne, amongst many others who have covered this soulful tribute.

This beginning of the video/song is more of a note to self - nudging me to create, converge my thoughts into words, no matter what the imposter inside says or how hard he mocks me. No matter what the onlookers have to say. Numbers don't matter, quality is subjective and recognition is a by product. For now, I will share this one aha! moment or rather an epiphany I had over the years and that's kept me going --

"I believe that in any creative pursuit, we are in the business of making messages in bottles. You write your heart out, create art , make music or come up with a recipe, or whatever you think your creative calling is. Once done, you gently roll it up, shove it into a bottle, cork it and fling it into the wide blue open. Someday, it will find the marooned and bring them ashore."

I'm reminded of a question I was asked at The Creative's Workshop in Akimbo - "What is it you fear?" My response - "second death". To elaborate a little, death is imminent or inevitable. Second death, you could try to push that for a bit. A second death where not a single soul wants to resuscitate you through their memories, a second death where you're not even a particle of electronic dust, a second death where no one in the future would ever even know your existence because nothing of you remains. A second death where not even a single voice under the starry starry night laments -

"Now I think I know

What you tried to say to me..."

Well, when that doesn't happen.

It would be priceless.