reject nothing
while generally I'd prefer to tread only lightly in the realm of deep theory, I'd like to share the theoretical framework that underpins my critical lens, and more generally my priorities as a creator and my orientation towards life.
it can be distilled into a simple phrase, which I will then clarify: "reject nothing."
the core idea beneath it is that understanding is the primary vehicle that broadens us as people and connects us most profoundly both to others and ourselves. "rejection" here is defined, rather than "acceptance", as the opposite to understanding. it is fundamentally a favoring of multiplicity over uniformity: in a world with singular authority, there is "good" and "bad", and therefore things we reject and accept. but in a world of multiplicity, there is "good for me", "good for you", "good in this situation", and any infinite number of permutations of recognition.
when we uphold this lens, there is no conflict between a subject and ourselves, and therefore no need to reject or approve of it. we can examine why, perhaps, it was made the way it was, and what goals and experiences this serves. this is still a fundamentally subjective process, but it is one in which we humble the "self" in order to come just a bit closer to the endless "other", and therefore--hopefully--bring ourselves just a bit closer into harmony with the vast mysteries of the totality of life.
"rejection", then, I suggest as the opposite process: it is a closing off of oneself from the "other", a total stalwart defense in protest of difference. sometimes in life, rejection is the path we choose as a quick out from a desperate problem. but the longer we go rejecting, long past any immediate threats that assail us (either physical, social, metaphorical, etc.), we threaten to lose our touch with both the vastness beyond us and the vastness within us. fear of the outside cannot help but eventually reflect as fear of within, as inset fragility alienates us fully. we can too easily become rather accustomed with lashing out reflexively and building ever-higher walls.
hence then, "reject nothing." it's not a suppression of our preferences, but rather a refusal to build walls around ourselves. it's a humble embrace of our own subjectivity, which has room for us, everyone else, and every thing that is. stated even more simply, we are empowered by curiosity and asking questions, and deny ourselves so much when we stop. by keeping ourselves open, we can navigate the world with greater ease and see with greater perspective and clarity. in the end, that serves to bring peace and help guide us confidently towards our goals.
more concretely, as creators, it helps bring us closer to the challenges of the creative and productive processes, and to stay humble in the face of the impossibility of so-called perfection. it can be easy to look on from afar and wag one's finger. but once we ourselves get in the mud, we by necessity become much more sympathetic. we're all just figuring everything out as we go in a messy world, so by taking the utmost of lessons and context from every piece of art we touch, we can more effectively and realistically build upon past efforts.
that is, at least, my estimation of things. I couldn't claim to have it all figured out, but what I know right now is that this lens is serving me well in life and my creative interests, and is something I'm proud of in-and-of-itself as the cultivation of so much work I have done in the business of being alive and human. I find being alive being so wonderful, vibrant and indulgent, despite all "the horrors." as such, I've really wanted to resolve that tension for myself, and "reject nothing" has been one big part of my answer.