Being who we are!

“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”
John Jakes

"How long have you been an artist?" the judge asked me today as she assessed her jury candidates. "All my life." I replied. It's the truth. It's just one of those things. You are born that way. Unlike some careers you grow into or choose to go to college to be, being an artist, like many gifts we are born with, is something you carry through life. Being a good mathematician or communicator are other gifts we come into the world with. There are many unique talents we each bring to this life.
In some cases it takes a certain belief in ourselves, some courage to put these gifts to use. As an artist I have often felt like I was not part of the practical main stream of life. Many people don't appreciate what artists bring to the world. Ask any artist. Their parents wanted them to be something else, I guarantee you!
But the truth is, from the phone we use, to the cover design of the novel we are reading, to the coffee cup we drink out of in the morning, our lives are touched by artists. Everything we can lay our eyes on right now was designed by someone; an architect, an engineer, a designer, all creative and aesthetically aware, an artist or artisan.
Society seems to favor certain types and strengths over others, extroverts, entertainers, beautiful people, persuasive speakers, especially I find in the US. It has made me question my worth in the world at times. I don't think I am alone. I think we all wonder if we are contributing our strengths truly to the world and if our lives have purpose.
We all need to be who we are, embrace it, love it and unashamedly express it. There is such deep satisfaction in doing what we are here to do. How can you be more yourself, more authentic, today? What are your strengths?
If you don't automatically know them, give it some thought today. There's a website where you can take a strengths test, if you feel the need to. It's called authentichappiness.com. If you can incorporate the top three strengths into your day no matter what job you are doing, you will have greater satisfaction and happiness now. It's in your own hands. Enrich your life and the lives of those around you today by being your beautiful, unique self!
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
Dr. Seuss