Culture- Artist can't go

I am disheartened to see that cities are now considered "artistic/cultural centers" if they have galleries.  Any city can have a gallery, or two....hell, even twenty.  I am even more disheartened to see quality artists leaving cities, such as New York City because they have been pushed from the gentrified city limits.  The betterment of neighborhoods is exceptional but we must leave room for those in fields where greed, manipulation and outlandish bonuses are not common practice.

Take for instance our Nation's Capital.  Washington DC has galleries, cutltural institutions, etc. but I would be hard pressed to find someone who says, "Washington DC is know for it's thriving arts scene." 

Cities need, in fact they must keep, their artists in residence.  We need creative minds and innovators or else we become nothing more than machines.  To be honest that is when modern society truly marks it's point of no return- when the artists, writers, etc. vanish.

Write What You Know

They always say to "write what you know" or "do what comes naturally/effortlessly"... But what if you've experienced, seen and enjoy/like too much?  What's the advice then?  What if you happen to be someone who likes to explore new things endlessly and can't get enough it?

I guess some may call it ADD or ADHD, but in all fairness, there are just some of us who like to explore and learn.  We are the minority who actually enjoy change and adapting to new situations, people and environments. 

I definitely enjoy writing what I know- but there are a lot of miscellaneous tidbits of knowledge that do not surmount to much and lets face it, not much comes naturally for me other then travel, eating, being in the water, learning and having fun.  I have so many ideas for books, movies, television shows, art works, and even software programs, etc. 

Nevertheless, I discover a lot of my "original ideas" aren't so original but I keep brainstorming.  Hurricanes actually.  I'd love to be the next Hemingway (without the boozes and death, of course) or even the next Bill Gates- but my creative mind is probably my biggest blessing and curse.  I have a tendency to create amazing ideas, situations, stories, and then fail to be able to fully execute them then lock them into a one time discussion or on the pages of my notebooks.  I learned that I am what they call a creative visionary.  It takes work for me to cross the finish line, especially if I am not 100% sure of an idea.  Not saying that I don't work hard to complete my ideas on a regular basis, I do....but that part of it doesn't come easy for me.  It takes discipline.

The only advice/personal reflection that I have received that I truly feel is applicable, not that I don't have those two other pieces consistently playing over in my mind,  is that success is not a destination but it's a journey.  You never reach a point where you say "Yep, I made it.  I am happy and successful."  Instead you set benchmarks to gauge yourself and enjoy the ride.  That and the fact that I need to learn to jump more in my adult life, much like I did as a child.  Map the trail, attach a parachute and chart my landing, but take the plunge!  It's only then that the true journey can begin and the adventure unfold. 

This is my journey...