Singing As A Spiritual Practice

SURVIVING THE BUSINESS OF ART, PART 2

Most people are so busy thinking about what they want to achieve in life and pushing hard to attain their professional goals that they lose sight of their own accomplishments. While it is important to set up goals in life, it is equally important to be in touch with the process that helps us arrive at our desired end. By acknowledging life in the present and maintaining an awareness of all the steps needed to grow, we open the doors to future achievements. Asking for more in life is very difficult for many of us--most people do not feel enough of a sense of self worth to expect more from life than they already have. However, if we can take in what we already have achieved, we give ourselves permission to ask for more. The true measure of success is creative growth and the artistic process.

Acceptance of our own truths is essential in actualizing dreams. Facing the fears that prevent one from achieving more money and recognition will allow for future dreams to materialize. The only fear we should have is in not honoring our dreams and desires. People who have difficulty living in a state of present awareness are always looking somewhere else, and missing who they are in the moment. When we cannot accept the truth of who we are, our desires lose their base in reality, and dreams seem unattainable. Approaching our goals with a reverence for process and emotional growth, will aid in the development of success in our careers and personal relationships. Honoring one's achievements can be a source of great empowerment and a stimulus for further development and advancement. The very act of participating in artistic expression should be reward itself, but sometimes we need to acknowledge our achievements by hanging them on a wall, or listening to the music we make, in order to experience an emotional connection to our accomplishments.

Sadly, many people suffer from feeling that whatever they do is "just not enough". They drive themselves to meet a large agenda and in doing so completely pass by the success that they've already achieved. Don't allow yourself to miss out on the real successes of life. Face your fears, live in your own truth and reality, acknowledge your life in the present one step at a time. We are all entitled to our dreams and the fulfillment of them. Above all, try not to be blinded by a standardized version of success. Living one's life as an artistic expression is certainly quite a challenge, but equally rewarding.

A life filled with creative and emotional growth is one also filled with love and empowerment, rich in potential and divine purpose--a truly successful life.