Taylor Swift's story inspired me in the deep parts of my soul that need to constantly be inspired in order to gravitate toward the level of success they were meant to be a part of. You see, Swift's success didn't happen over night like we sometimes like to think. Her story shared the parts of her childhood that were purposely arranged for such a moment as this.
From a young age Swift new she wanted to write music. She played and sang and wrote all during her childhood.
By age eleven or so she had determined this as her biggest dream, so she took steps towards following that dream. When she realized how much harder she needed to work to get to her goal, she did. She worked extremely hard every day, and still does. Classes, lessons, practice and lots of hours are how she got to where she is today. It was not chance, luck or circumstance. It was hard work, inspiration and purpose.
I believe strongly that Taylor Swift is exactly where she needs to be. God gave her the ability to communicate and heal people through her song writing. I think that is beautiful. Much like Swift, we too have purposes that we were created for and that we need to be working our tail off for.
For me, it's writing and painting. From the earliest of ages I can remember claiming that I wanted to be "an artist and an author" when I grew up. In third grade a won a state-wide writing contest and I always won county fair awards for my artwork. These were neat and all, but then I got distracted in middle school. Friends, sports and everything in between became my focus for a few years. I don't regret those years though, I learned a lot.
In high school it was all about finishing the race first. I studied hard, took all my required classes and worked my hardest to win track medals, golf medals and cheerleading honors, and I did. By my senior year I had taken all of my required classes except my two art requirements. How silly, I though. Art was were my passion was, yet I had hardly slowed down long enough to take a single art class during my high school education. I took beginning art and choir that year. Those two classes quickly became two of my favorite classes in high school.
In junior college I wanted to major in Art, but I was told there was no future or money in it. While this redirected my focus, it was also very practical advice that led me to where I am today. Regardless, I majored in Liberal Arts and took as many art-related classes as I could, which included Painting I and II. These were the classes that fueled my fire. I learned how to use oil paints and fell in love with the process and technique of such.
From there I went to a university and got back on the rat race track. All the while I painted at home in my apartment whenever I could find free time. There were many times when I would have to purposely mark off a full Saturday in my calendar just so I could have painting and writing time. I loved school, but I needed a break. God pointed out that I was running the race and going nowhere fast. He reminded me strongly that I was built to write and paint and that it was okay if that was what I truly desired.
I took a year off from school. I wrote a short book and painted dozens of pictures. People began to know me as an artist. I sold lots of paintings to people who knew me. I even created a huge sign for a local business that sold for a lot of money. I was so excited to know that people believed in me. I was even more excited to believe in myself. I studied art and art schools all summer and when I finally went back to finish my last semester of college, I told myself I would go back on one condition. I was going to take some kind of art class while I was there.
So I did. By default I landed in "Intermediate Painting Process." I was supposed to have a bunch of foundation classes before I could enroll in this one, but luckily God found some way to get me in. I enjoyed this class greatly. Working with other students on a collegiate level brought me great confidence in my work. I made close friends especially with one girl in our class. Her and I talked about plans after college and how to take our art journey into the world of post-grad.
Also during that semester I had a lot of time to continue researching and reading. I bought books and studied the art business process.
I graduated in December and now I have begun a real job. I am writing, reading, painting and studying as much as I can in my free time. While I love my job and am learning a ton being there, I still know my deeper purpose is writing and painting.
Last night I wrote out my goals again. I wrote out my 5 and 10 year goals and the leaps I would take this year to get there. Everything seems big, until you break it down into pieces. The pieces are scary until you make a move and realize it isn't. Fear is invisible and hope is powerful. Prayer and petition will keep God on your side and there is nothing you can do without him.
A few minutes ago I was asked to speak at a local civic club about my art. I almost got nauseous at the thought of speaking publicly about my art. While this scares me deeply for some reason, I know it is something I must do to strengthen my skills and my stance as an artist. Plus, if I can share what makes me smile with other people, maybe they will find their confidence too. What's your calling?
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