As 2016 approached, I sat on this blog wondering what would be a powerful message to kick off the new year. Suddenly, it hit me like a Mack truck: Keep it simple. Start where life begins. By this I mean, let's start from our first memory of what captivated our hearts. For most of us, that would be from when we were small children.
I was reminded of this rather simple but no less extraordinary concept observing my niece, Kelly, who is now 11, while she was engrossed in her drawings. She specifically loves drawing anime and is very talented at it. I recall her first drawings around the age of four. Even then it was very natural and something she has always gravitated towards, except that back then she would use the old fashion pen and paper. (Remember those? Wink, wink.) More recently, however, she and her computer drawing pad are good buddies.
In all honesty, her passion for drawing spoke to me because drawing was something I was familiar with and also enjoyed as a kid. I wasn't too shabby myself, but I aborted any dreams of having anything to do with it, for fear of not being good enough. I also feared that unless I was the best of the best, it would be impossible to survive financially as an artist.
My niece, unlike me, is much more confident and is not deterred by what she instinctively knows will improve with practice. She draws regularly and has even taken bold steps to share her work on art sites. Her next plan is to have a YouTube channel to share and teach some basics, believing in herself and her capabilities.
It seems so many adults are unhappy with their work, wishing they had the courage to follow their hearts. I bear witness to this in my own life. I am certainly not as young as my niece anymore, but I can still act from where I am and that is all that matters. I believe it is time to give myself that chance to cultivate my own dreams, however late in the game it may appear. All it takes is courage to start and to not give up.
So the message here is nothing new, but bears repeating for this powerful force can impact the trajectory of our lives. And that message is this: follow your heart. Listen to the inner child that knows what he or she desires. Act on the passion that can spark this instant feeling of joy from out of nowhere. Carry out the aliveness by repeatedly engaging in this knowing from within. The rest will build upon itself like dominos and fall into place at the right time.
Here's to following your heart! Happy New Year!