Quite a few of you have been sending questions to me, which I absolutely love (keep ‘em coming, please). Recently, one started nibbling away at me and I’ve been going back and forth with it ever since. The question: Is being an artist worth it?

This question was put to me the other day: What do artists do? And, of course, this could be answered in many different ways. In fact there are likely as many answers as there are artists. We are all individuals, after all.

These are eleven lessons I’ve learned about being a blogger. The High Road Artist blog began about a year and a half ago and I’ve learned a few things along the way.

I’d always heard there were ocean people and mountain people. I was definitely the former, no question. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to live any distance away from the water. It seemed to define me. And I had no interest in mountains. I wasn’t a skier and I wasn’t particularly fond of snow. That was all I knew of mountains and I was simply not interested.

Today we celebrate our 400th post. I say “our” because all of you are part of this with me. I wouldn’t be writing if not for you. It’s true. And I can’t tell you how deeply meaningful it is to have you to talk with.

What would it mean if we had the courage to live life wholeheartedly? How many of us do, really, live full out, holding nothing back?

Today was my good friend, Kim’s, last day staying in Truchas—until next winter anyway.

Sixteen years ago today, I came out of hiding. I came alive. I let life find me. Today I choose to celebrate that.

It is a journey each of us must take, to find our way—to speak our name. No one else can do this for us and no one else can stop us.

One of the wonderful things about music: it is accessible to everyone, rich or poor. Great music traditions have been born out of poverty.

What is it about the dark emotions that repel me? Why do I resist and deny them, even hide myself away when I’m in them? They are part of being human.

I’m not so tough. I’m pretty sure most of you don’t think of me as tough anyway, but the fact is, I do.

Share your dreams. Those that tug at your heart unrealized, those that you actually pursue and live, and those that brought you to where you are.

Venice is a 485 mile (781 km) journey from Nocelle, Italy. Venice was our last stop on our vacation in Italy.