Am I an Artist?

Friday, February 8, 2019

 The other night I read the book, “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds to Liam before bed.  In the book the little girl didn’t believe she was an artist, her self-doubt paralyzed and kept her from painting. She sat glued to her chair and refused to even move a muscle. 

When approached by her teacher after class. Her response was, “I just can’t draw.” Her teacher encouraged her by saying, “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” She jabbed at the paper with a marker and made a dot, her teacher asked her to sign her name to the paper. She thought, “maybe I can’t draw but I can sign my name,” and so she signed it.

The following week when she went into her art class she was surprised to find her drawing framed on the wall behind her teachers desk. She snarled and said, “hmmmph I can make a better dot than THAT!” She opened her water colors and painted a masterpiece.

Her initial doubts and fears about being an artist and her ability to draw prevented her from even trying. How many times have we thought about experimenting with something new like starting a business or picking up a new hobby, but we felt we couldn’t because we didn’t have specific training or a degree.

How often do we wait before taking action because we are waiting for the perfect time to act? I know because I’ve been there.

In the story a funny thing happened when she didn’t expect perfection. When she just began painting and experimenting. She discovered she actually could paint. And her painting was beautiful.

There is a German proverb that reads, “Begin to weave and God will give you thread.”

When we act and step out into the unknown we learn so much more about ourselves and our abilities. We discover new possibilities we never dreamed of. Art is unique and we are a work of art. We have unique talents and gifts to offer the world. When we allow our fears to be bigger than our potential we deny the world our greatness. Like the little girl in the story, we just have to begin to paint, to be our authentic selves and we will be given thread.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

I encourage you to identify your dream target and pursue it like a missile. Step out in faith and trust that the other steps will follow. The best part about it all is that you are never alone. I believe in you! I am with you!

-Coach Z

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