The Gift of You
Sometimes I wake up and think, another day of the same old same old. Feed the cats, change the litter box, cut the grass, trim the hedges, scrape and paint the house and deal with all the drama my daughters bring into my life along with all the strays – kittens and homeless teenage boys.
Occasionally, I get a few hours during the week to make art or work on an expressive arts stress reduction program I’m creating so I don’t have to get a “real” job. And, even though it’s summer and I’m almost across the street from the beach, I ask myself far too often, “When does life start getting fun?” And when will the menial stuff be done so I can get started making a difference in the world. Why am I here?
You too have probably asked yourself that question a million times. And when you think you have a hint at the answer you leap down that path only to find that life throws you a curve ball. Your great intentions come to a grinding halt and you are thrown into the same old same old mundane soup again. My guru says to keep asking that question and eventually I will know the answer. I wish “eventually” would hurry up and get here so I can put all my talents and abilities to good use helping others.
Jennifer Vitalia isn’t waiting around for “eventually” to get here. If you haven’t heard of her you are in for a treat. She is the most amazing, positive and uplifting woman with whom I’ve ever spoken. And, she just happens to be a wonderful photographer, artist, entrepreneur – the 3 creatives in life that I highly admire. Jennifer so totally believes that everything in life is art that she created an awesome art magazine called Everything Is Art.
Jennifer also created a non-profit organization in order to provide art education for children because the arts have sadly been cut from the public school systems across the nation. Right now her childrens’ program is focused in New Jersey, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it spreads like wildfire and infiltrates all 50 states in a very short time.
Why am I telling you about this woman? One reason is because I’m a featured artist among many wonderful and diverse artist celebrities in her recent publication Everything Is Art Edition X. But the more important reason is because no matter where we are in life we all need someone to be inspired by at times when we feel like quitting. Those times when we think, “what’s the point?” When all I do is work and it feels like I’m not making any progress I think of Jennifer and all the people she helps, and I just keep going.
Jennifer is devoted to her vision and to her mission, and she works long, hard hours to make her dreams happen. Opportunities aren’t handed to her on a silver platter. She’s a risk-taker and goes after what she believes in with a passion because she knows that the most fulfilling joy comes from living her best so that others may also find joy.
Why am I here? I don’t know and I don’t know if I’ll ever know. But one thing is for certain, when I stop making it about me I have the clarity to see that maybe right now it’s not about being a hero for the masses. Perhaps it just about helping one or two homeless teens get a new start in life.
We all have the encouraging words or the ideas to boost someone into a better quality of life . . . but are we utilizing them? Today is a day to contemplate your individual gifts and abilities and decide how you can up your game.
And while you’re contemplating, check out some things that can stimulate your creative and humanitarian juices.
Everything Is Art Edition X free online magazine or buy a print version and be inspired forever