Why Matters

At this seasoned stage of my life, it would have been so much easier to dismiss my yearning to reinvent myself and become a professional visual artist and teacher as frivolous. I could have crawled into a “so much to be grateful for” mode — a cozy womb cave protecting me, where I could pretend I wasn’t aching for more. But, dag gone it, my incessant impulse for truth can’t keep her mouth quiet — and she won’t stop screaming, “MAKE YOUR ART! Get out there and share your act 2 life’s passion.”

The book Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek reminds me how powerful and necessary articulating and declaring my “WHY” is in order to stay motivated and committed to this artistic, crazy‑hard, unclear path in visual arts. Sinek reminds us that your “WHY” is the core belief that inspires you to take action and gives meaning to your work and life. It’s what makes you feel fulfilled. AND it changes. Mine did. Has your “why” changed (like mine) over time?

When I was younger and had a gaggle of children in the house (mother of 5 here), my central WHY was creating and caring for my family with part‑time work directing and teaching theatre. I didn’t get the work‑life balance right all the time, but I did a pretty good job. I was busy but felt so alive and engaged.

And then, a natural shift occurred when my last child was in kindergarten. I felt a strange new uncomfortable feeling. I knew I needed a new all‑encapsulating WHY. This second WHY had been buried deep inside of me for many years, but I couldn’t shake the desire to leave professional theatre and delve into the visual art world. It was so intimidating. I never really understood the fancy art people, and felt so judged by some of my peers in art class. But my second‑act “why” propelled me…

Five years into this new WHY — and hecka big life changes — I am starting to feel less like a stranger in a strange land. Most of the time, I am amazed at how excited I am to learn and do new things. It is scary to reinvent oneself. My kids (especially my theatre kid) feel sad and betrayed to have lost his Mama Muse, which of course I understand. Five years ago, I started each morning doing art in my sketchbook, and the habit of this started taking over. Small and frequent steps made the big leap easier.

When I zoom out and get all tangled up in money worries, goals, and task lists, I can get lost and forget the why of my newly assembled life. There are many easier ways to be 60. I lean away from my fears. I lean towards the love and the light. My art students remind me to stay focused on the indescribable connection that teaching art engenders — it is my creative oxygen.

My WHY

To inspire creativity, confidence, joy and connection by teaching and making art that brings imagination to life.

THE WHY MATTERS!