What We Do Has A Lot To Inform Us

What We Do Has A Lot To Inform Us

It was a dream of mine to be an artist. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to express myself creatively.

 

I wanted to draw, but could only do lousy little doodles.

 

I wanted to act, but just did school plays.

 

I wanted to write, but was terrible at grammar.

 

This isn’t so bad.

 

Why not?

 

Because I still doodled. I still acted. I still wrote. I still painted. I still did what brought me joy even if it never became a product that was somehow validated by someone else. 

 

I validated it. I still validate it. Just by doing it.

 

I write many hours a day, not knowing if and when an agent may represent me.

 

I paint even though I keep my paintings under my bed. 

 

I make videos drawing on my acting training just because I want to support others in feeling better in their life.

 

I’m trying to make a positive point.

 

No matter how what I create in the world is perceived, I’m happy. I take joy in my creative endeavors. And if someone else takes joy in it, I’m happy then too. But that’s not why I do it.

 

I do it because I have to. It’s the most meaningful thing in my life.

 

So my question to you is this:

 

What do you do because you have to do it?

 

Maybe your have to is raising a child, or supporting a non-profit, or going to exercise class, or showing up to work, or crafting, or baking pies, or collecting stamps.

 

But whatever that have to is . . . it says a lot about who you are. Because that’s what drives you and gives you meaning in life. THAT’S what gives you your passion and happiness.

 

And there’s opportunity to be grateful for that. Simple gratitude for the blessing to appreciate what this life is offering you.

 

Even if you feel stuck. Even if you aren’t sure what brings meaning in your life, you do something each day that you just have to do. I don’t care of it’s taking a nap. Or watching The Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo. Or reading a good book. Or collecting dolls. Or playing with balloons.

 

Acknowledge the have-tos you’ve been given and be grateful for it. And let go of the pressures of it having to be anything else than what it is.

 

Here’s to have tos! They make up who we are. And say a lot about where to put our passions and interests.  

 

Wishing you abundant happiness in seeing the true purpose of what you love!