Art Completes Your Heart

So right off the bat, I'll acknowledge that this title is beyond cheesy. But the adage rings true, now more than ever in the hustle and bustle of a busy, restless world. We all know about the basic human tenants that we must consume to survive: water, air, etc. But what we don't often think about, is where we'd be without a necessity like art.

Because of the state of today's economy, most of us are forced to log more work hours in than ever before to survive. Some people work copious amounts of overtime, some have two jobs, and some make up extra work from home. The problem is, some of us get so caught up in working tireless hours, that we forget what it is we're working FOR. We work to be comfortable, to fulfill the requirements of the bills, to stash some cash away for emergencies, and to have a little spare change so we can enjoy ourselves. But with those long hours, comes a huge sense of stress and sometimes a lack of fulfillment.

Now, this entry isn't some "everyone quit your jobs" PSA. That would be crazy. Money is a necessity, and things like houses/cars/food/clothes aren't attained without it. What I am trying to get across here, is somewhat of a solution to the age old conundrums that the overworked and overtired often ask themselves: "Is there more to life than this?" "Why do I feel so trapped?" "Who am I, aside from work?". Sometimes, those answers are found in the things you do outside of your 9-5 walls.

Art not only provides a sense of greater and deeper identity, but also relieves stress by putting you in your comfortable environment, spending time excelling at things you enjoy doing. It brings out your creativity and passion, and raises your focus and thirst for knowledge. It comes in many forms: actors, painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, producers, small business owners, designers, planners, etc. Making time to ply your craft at those things is just as important as water or air in the long run.

At the end of the day, your legacy is made up of the things and people you love. When people tell their favorite stories of us, it almost always involves our hobbies and passions. The things we create (songs, movies, blogs, books, businesses) are the things we cared most about, and the things we leave behind for others to enjoy long after we're gone. And lord knows, in today's scary and divided world, everyone could use more positive and entertaining distractions.

So find time to dive into your favorite side-gigs. Pick up that instrument you put down years ago. Fight through fatigue to read or write after work, even if it's for just a few minutes per day. You'll feel a greater sense of self-worth, and you'll find an uplifting explosion of accomplishment for putting something beautiful into the world. You are MORE than where you work. You have other things to give. You deserve it, even if free time is hard to come by. The benefits are endless. After all, you can't spell heart without 'art'.