True North

I love Paulo Coelho's book, The Alchemist.  If you haven't read it, you need to.  It's not even a request, it's an order!  I read the book sometime in 2004 and the book so moved me, that for the next 6 months, I didn't read anything else.  I just re-read the book over and over.  Strangely, I think that the prolog is the most powerful part of the book.  Coelho states that everyone is in search of their "personal legend" and that it is our responsibility to harness our gifts and share them with the world.  In doing so, we are making the world a better place to be because we are fulfilling what it is we were meant to do.

It seems simple enough, however Coelho also states that many times people are right at the doorstep of realizing their dreams and end up backing down from them due to the fear of actualization, because let's be honest, what's next after achieving something so great?  Do you keep moving forward with it or do you seek out the another path or chapter as part of your "personal legend" journey?

The task served up is even more interesting when I think of the kind of world we live in - how many of us are actually doing what we love?  When have we been in a job filled with so much excitement and curiosity that we stay up all night lost in the creativity and joy of it all?

At the time that I read The Alchemist, I was starting my first year of teaching, which any first-year teacher will tell you is the worst year of your professional life EVER.  I won't go in to all of the challenges teachers face as I know many of us have heard an angry teacher tirade.   But I bring it up because I had always dreamed of going on to earn a PhD in art history. While I got accepted to the top two schools of my choice, I just didn't have the money it would take to see me through.  In that moment, becoming a teacher seemed like an "honorable mention" to me.  This made that first year even harder, because in my mind, had I really followed my personal legend?

After nearly ten years in the education world, there are so many things I do love about being a teacher - the small souls so delicate and sweet that I meet and share time with, the hope they give me about our future, the time I serve as a witness to amazing transformations that take place... the examples can (and do) go on and on.

The cherry on top of all of this is that I now have my art business which gives me the opportunity to share my art and love for art with people around the world.  How amazing it has been to chat with a lovely lady from Germany, or a nice man in Egypt, or to look at who is viewing my work and learn that several individuals from France, the UK, or even Thailand have visited my blog or shop!?!

I share all of this with you, because I feel inspired by these events in my personal and professional life.  I refer to them separately, but isn't it interesting how intertwined they both are?  The personal and professional?  And what of that "personal legend" stuff?

Perhaps it is ever-evolving and a journey that reflects what you want to see, and at times, what you need to see.

I think that so long as you are traveling North, your True North is always right there - waiting for you.

All items displayed are featured as a part of my Etsy Treasury. Check it out at  https://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTI1Njg1MnwyNzI3MjA1MDU0/true-north?ref=fp_int_treas