The Spine of Life

This picture, which was taken July 18, 2007 of Nicky, my youngest son, while we were camping at Bear Mountain, makes me think about courage and my own experience with having the gall to pursue the fulfillment of my own potential as a person, as an individual, as an artist. To paraphrase Nietzsche, “Pursuing one’s passion is the spine of life,” in other words following your bliss often requires one to muster the nerve to consistently take many risks.

As much as Nicky often inspires me, I hope that by my example my sons learn how to avoid the apprehension that comes with age and responsibility, and to continue taking the risks that are the privilege of youth.

“Youth is a gift of nature, Age is a work of art.” – Scott Allen –

Moreover, both Enzo (my oldest son) and Nicky consistently motivate me to brazenly pursue my passions.

At the time of this photo, five-year-old Nicky had just taken the plunge and essentially taught himself to swim; he has always been the more athletically aggressive of the two, and his feats of physical bravery continue to astonish and inspire me.