I am participating in a local Makers meeting in my town.  Makers – are do it “yourselfers” (DIY), innovators, recycle and up cycle creators who make anything: fine art, crafts, robots, rockets, toys, movies, beer, baked goods, preserves, organic food, artisan cheeses, and more.  We are creating an interactive venue promoting the local makers to bring their creative endeavors out for public viewing, consumption and education.

The meeting hasn’t started yet and I overheard a local artist share that she hasn’t been painting for a number of months and is just getting started again.  Her voice is apologetic; she is defending her life and its cycles.  I hear this often.

I am repeatedly asked, “Do you paint everyday?”  This is usually followed with the statement,” you are lucky to be doing what you want and “I” have no artistic talent.”  Again I hear the defensive tone that accompanies comparison or wishing that ones life were different.

I do not paint every day.  What I do everyday is live my life.  There is a saying in my spiritual practice Life is Shabda* and Shabda is life.  Another way to express this is Life is art and art is life.
The online etymology dictionary defines art (adj.) “produced with conscious artistry”.  This defines the way I choose to live.  Whether I am painting, writing, hiking, promoting my business, having tea with a friend, shopping, playing or petting my cat, I am a conscious   and grateful creator of my life.

Life is art and art is life.

Steve Jobs said the following “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary”.
Viewing from this platform we are all artists, creating in every moment with incredible gifts to share; uniquely expressed and with common experiences along the journey.

I invite you to share in the comment box below how you experience the art of life. Thank you!

(*Shabda – Power of divine love in expression.)