Yes You Can

Do you remember those art school tests that were often found in magazines? When I was younger, I dreamed of going to art school. I thought that if I sent in my drawing, someone would take one look at it and say, "You are going to be famous one day!" I practiced drawing the duck, the mouse, and the cat until I perfected them enough to one day send them in. My mom changed my thought process the day she told me that it was all a scam to get people interested in paying money to take art classes. She also said that they would tell anyone that they were good just so that they could make money off of them.

In that short amount of time, I began to reconsider whether I really did have "it"...the ability and talent to draw. My mother reminded me that my older sister was the artist in the family and she was encouraged to take art classes. I longed to take art too but instead, I took typing and photography and sewing and creative writing. Secretly though, I would go in my room and I would draw. I would tuck them away for safe keeping.

One day, I got the courage to enter a poster contest for Southern California Edison (the electric company). It was a drawing contest to promote safety. The grand prize was a trip for four to Disneyland. I pushed the doubts away and got to work. In fact, I drew the poster in a day's time and proudly presented to my mom for her to take to work with her. (She worked for Southern California Edison.) She took it telling me not to be disappointed if I didn't win because there were going to be quite a few entries. In my mind I had already won because I had at least entered the contest. To win would mean something greater.

I waited for 6 weeks and then, I received in the letter in the mail. It said, "Congratulations!" I was the grand prize winner and my poster was going to be printed up and used to promote safety.

It was the first time that I did something just because I believed in me. I didn't pay attention to the what if's and went with "I should" instead.

I never took art classes but I continued to draw and paint. It started out as a spark that was threatened to die out by lack of belief in my abilities but that spark grew from the strength that I had to believe in myself.

I don't consider myself a "phenomenal" artist but I do know that I have a God given ability....everyone does. It just needs to be kindled and nurtured.

Do you have a secret ability that is waiting to be kindled? Are you letting doubt get in your way? Don't....instead...DO!!!