Tuesday, September 26, 2006
EMPOWER WHAT YOU DO HAVE
I would like to share a conversation I had today. An artist friend called this morning, sounded down. I knew he was waiting to hear if he'd been accepted into a prestigious art show... turns out it was not the news he'd hoped for. This was to be his first "big" show. His words: "I feel like a failure."
I invited him for a coffee, hung up, felt heartbroken for him. I've known this friend for years; he's extremely talented, though a bit of a closet artist, and I've tried to encourage and support him as much as possible. I believe in him and in his beautiful, brave work. His paintings have been displayed here at the Cafe on several occasions.
I poured a tea, contemplated what I would say. I imagined myself consoling him, giving him a big hug, crying into my Chai as he sat across from me and swore he would never lift a brush again. And then I remembered the words of another dear friend.:
"Don't feed that negative energy. Why empower what you don't have?"
Exactly. So he didn't make the art show, so what!? This didn't mean failure. What is failure? How can years of courageous, vibrant artwork be judged a failure based on one, lousy (it will be if he isn't in it :) ) art show?
He arrived, enjoyed his double soy latte with extra foam and lots of love, and left one hour later to buy a new canvas, a HUGE one! He agreed to do another show at the Cafe, in the next few months, complete with opening party, music, food. His experience reminded me to look at all the gifts in my own life, and empower what I DO have, and what I CAN do.
Thanks for sharing.
// posted by Sacred Truth @ 7:52 PM 
