Friday, February 13, 2015

Practicality- a Half Life

Being practical.  What does that mean?  I know several individuals are in favor of practicality as it leads to conducting a sensible life full of logical decisions.  However, how does creativity survive in a world that pressures us to "just be practical"?

My mother is an artist.  She would never describe herself as one, but she is.  She spent 40 years of her life being a Dental Hygienist.  She had a very distinguished career in Dental Hygiene and was well respected by all of her peers and employers.  However, I will always contend that something was missing in those 40 years of caring for her dental patients as her passion has always been art.  She paints beautifully.  I have some of her signature work in my house and I always wonder where to hang it because I want to put it in a place of honor.  She is by far a more creative mother than I will ever be.  She made clothes for my dolls and me, she made fabric books to teach me how to read and the list goes on and on.  She is just like Martha Stewart- adept at everything creative.

Yet, she would not consider herself an artist.  Why?

I believe that she was told as a young person that she needed to find a job that would be practical.  Art was never going to be a practical profession in the eyes of her parents, so she had to pursue a job that would earn her money.  It was a practical path for sure, but not authentic.

Her daughter took a similar path in life...

My sister is in insurance.  She holds a very practical position and she is extremely successful at what she does.  However, my sister was not forced into practicality by her mom and dad.  My parents never imposed their opinions concerning our choice of professions.  Paradoxically, I believe that my siblings and I forced ourselves to be practical.  

Like my mother, my sister is an artist.  Her artistry is in the form of photographs. We always knew photography flowed through her creative veins as she has always been our official family photographer; snapping numerous pics at every family gathering.  And, she receives a new camera EVERY Christmas.  Seriously.  She does.

For Christmas this year, she gave everyone in our family some of her work.  The photos were brilliant and she has a keen eye.  She even sold a picture she took of the Christmas cookies I make for our family every December.  I am particularly proud of that shot she took and it hangs with pride in my home.

What happens to people when the practical side of life overrides their creative needs?  I believe that when practical goals take over and you allow them to squelch your creative self, you are living half of a life.  It takes doing things that you love to provide enthusiasm and zest for living.  I know.  I have been there.  That's why I'm writing this blog :)

So, be like my friend at work.  She is a math instructor by day, and a roller derby queen by night.  She is fierce at both pursuits because both of them allow her to enjoy living with her whole self represented.  Athletes, writers, artists, poets... the time is now.  Enjoy and share those hidden talents with the world.  Practicality is only half of your life.  The other half that is waiting for you is pure joy.  

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