To me success isn’t so much about how much money you make, what you drive or how you dress it’s more about being able to do a job that resonates with your soul….seeing your passions align with your vocation. So many people find themselves doing a job that pay the bills but rob the soul. So many of us find ourselves living with this struggle….from 9-5 we’re one person…but on nights and weekends…we’re this totally different person. But even when we’re blessed enough to see our passions align with our vocation it’s easy to lose the love for it. I know guys who are commercial photographers who long just to shoot normal stuff…with no pressure…with no deadlines…but they don’t have time. Regardless of our passion….photography, flying, writing, teaching, painting, building, healing…we have to guard it and continually look for ways to keep it fresh and alive.
I think one of the ways we can keep our passions alive is to use them to see beauty. To take the time to use our gifts to give back to others and to help others see the beauty both in and around them. Last month we were able to do that in our city. We worked with a local artist to help beautify a nearby village school.
We started the day with some art lessons with the kids…laid back…coloring sheets…just having fun. Then we moved outside and the transformation started….first a mural and then the kids started painting. Sure their work would never win an award but it was a true joy to see kids that rarely if ever get to create….painting and laughing…being kids. When it was all said and done I saw beauty in places I hadn’t seen it before. The obvious one was the school…the boring cream colored walls were now covered in colorful expressions. I also saw beauty in the kids…as they’re faces lit up…as they laughed, smiled and interacted with each other while creating. And I saw beauty as an artist…one who usually creates as her job…used her gift to help others. What other ways can I help others to see the beauty? It’s a question I’m determined to answer…it’s worth the effort to help others see the beauty!
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I not only like the photos, I like the way the story “put me there”. What a wonderful way to open the eyes of those kids.