Must Survival Overshadow Passion?

Many of us operate daily in survival mode.  We are in an endless cycle of sleep and work.   We sleep to re-energize ourselves for more work.  Why do we work so hard?  It's simple. We must pay the bills providing shelter, food, and clothing for ourselves and our families.   Many people are living a life of survival - not a life of opportunity.   When we live a life of opportunity we allow our passions to guide our experiences.  We must still meet the primary needs of shelter, food, and clothing, but we do it in a way that supports growth. 

Self-Portrait, R. Lindsey, 2010

Have you ever seen a plant in the home of a person who doesn't have a green thumb? The plant starts out strong and robust. After a couple of days of inadequate care it becomes limp. It enters a phase of survival. Its appearance is wilted and pathetic. Then an amateur botanist visits the home. He begins to give the plant proper attention - watering , feeding and nurturing it. The plant's owner begins to follow the botanist's prescription for rejuvenation. Soon the plant rebounds. It's stem stands straight. The leaves unfurl. It regains a rich emerald green luster. The plant is now flourishing.  We are like the dying plant when our passions do not guide our experiences.

Oil Pastel Still Life, R. Lindsey, 2010

Life's transitions often force us to acknowledge a life lived in survival mode.  When we awaken to this reality, we must prescribe a prescription for rejuvenation. My personal prescription was feeding my art appetite. I feasted on works of art at Chicago's summer arts festivals.  The 57th Street Art Fair in Hyde Park and the Gold Coast Art Fair in Grant Park where my favorites. I visited the Milwaukee Art Museum with members of Studio Art Quilt Associates. I attended art classes at Lill Street Art Center on Chicago's north side where various artists shared their talents to nourish my inner artist.  Camille Canales introduced me to screen printing on fabric, Akemi Nakano Cohn showed me the Japanese art of Arashi Shibori, and Patrick Miceli used mixed media to reveal my talents as a still life artist. I'm currently participating in a mosaic apprenticeship at Songhay Studios Group where I'm learning the art of mural mosaics.  Following my passion has made my life enjoyable in a time or uncertainty.

Survival does not have to overshadow passion.  Passion opens doors of opportunity leading to prosperity.  Don't let survival overshadow your passion. What steps are you taking to follow your passion?