“Art is never finished, just abandoned.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Among other things, Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest artists to ever live. One of his most iconic works is the Mona Lisa, which now hangs in the Louvre in Paris, France. It is considered one of the most valuable paintings in existence. French entrepreneur Stéphane Distinguin recently estimated its worth at around 50 billion euros.
And according to Leonardo da Vinci, it wasn’t even a finished work.
To the artist, there is always more possibility, but there comes a point in the process where the artist decides to stop and move on. This insight carries profound implications for life itself.
There are two powerful ideas at play here: recognizing when it’s time to stop and move on, and understanding that we are never truly a finished product. As such, we are the ones who decide when to stop working on ourselves.
The Artist’s Decision
Your current situation or station in life is the result of decisions made prior to this moment. Upon arriving here, some choose to stop and accept life as a finished product. Others continue the process of creation.
Neither choice is inherently good or bad, better or worse. It is simply what the individual decides their life is meant to be.
What’s worth noting, however, is that regardless of the choice, there is a work of art to be appreciated. When the individual, as the artist of their own life, decides to lay down the palette, it’s not an act of surrender but one of contentment. The work is complete, and it’s time to admire the creation. There’s profound beauty in this—contentment without regret for a life well-lived. It’s a wonderful place to be, and I hope to arrive there someday.
The Abandoned Canvas
But that’s not everyone’s story. Some works of art are abandoned not because they are finished, but because the artist lost the ability to see the ongoing possibilities in the creation. Creative flow and energy were interrupted and never regained. Struggles, fears, distractions, obstacles, or toxic environments stifled the creative process and extinguished the hope that once fueled the vision.
A masterpiece that began with purpose and passion now sits unfinished. Yet, even an unfinished work holds beauty and potential.
Rediscovering the Artist Within
There’s no simple fix for an interrupted creation. Inspiration, motivation, or even a swift kick in the keester might seem like the answer. But so too might self-love, self-grace, and self-forgiveness. Perhaps a little patience. Or maybe a lot of patience. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
What I do believe, though, is that the journey back to creation begins with desire—the desire to craft a better life. This desire leads to a decision: the decision to believe in yourself again. And when that happens, the artist remembers.
Unlike a painting on a canvas, we have the unique ability to return to our life’s work at any time. We can pick up the palette and brush, revisiting the masterpiece that is our life with bold, beautiful strokes of possibility.
The Life You Create
You are the artist of your own life, and the masterpiece you’re creating is uniquely yours. Whether you decide it’s finished or choose to keep refining, the decision rests with you. And remember, even an unfinished work can still be a masterpiece.
Just ask the Mona Lisa.
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