Gossip: From Ugly to Bad to Good.

Recently, I overheard someone gossiping about me, saying that I’m wasting my time with painting and drawing and that I should be doing something more useful with my time.

Cue the fireworks that went off that very instant (in my head, at least).

For those of you who don't know much about me, I work full-time as a tax accountant for a restaurant company. Although I love my career and exercising the left side of my brain with logic and analytics, it is absolutely great to come home after a long day at work and develop the right side of my brain with creativity and imagination by painting or drawing.

Back to what I overheard…wasting my time?? Umm, WHAT?!

When I heard that, I was overcome with a number of emotions. First, I was enraged at being criticized of something I find enjoyment in. Art has become such a passion of mine that it is no longer a part of me, but infused into my heart and is a slice that has evolved into a whole pie. Why would anyone want to tear that down?

After I let the anger pass, I was filled with a rush of sadness and confusion. I asked myself, am I doing something wrong here? I mean, what is so bad about creating artwork in my free time? Then I started to worry…is this what other people think, too? That I’m just wasting my time? That art isn’t considered useful, but in fact, useLESS?

Then I realized…what the heck am I even thinking??

I’m painting and drawing for ME! Only I know the real struggles that I go through every day. Only I know the impact that art has made in my life. No one may ever understand the happiness I find in art. And I should be okay with that! As long as I believe that what I’m doing in my spare time is useful, no, MEANINGful, then what do I have to worry about? It’s fine if other people fail to see that…but if I’m the one that can’t see it, then I have a big problem.

It’s a shame how much people enjoy talking about other people behind closed doors. And don’t get me wrong. There is a difference between being frustrated with someone and talking about it with a close friend, to finding out information about someone and telling other people. While the first has everything to do with you since you’re the one frustrated about a situation that involves you, the latter has nothing to do with you, also known as gossiping. It’s an epidemic that’s crippling our society. Yes, it may bring entertainment for a moment…but to what expense? You’re ultimately talking about someone else’s business that does not concern you. How would you feel if someone was doing that to you? I’m sure I know what the answer is…not good. So then why subject someone to that pain?

Just as my previous post said, we should be building each other up, not tearing each other down. And gossiping does not make this world a better place. So before talking about people behind their back, take a good look at yourself in the mirror, and ask yourself these questions: have I done anything that I am not proud of? Have I made any mistakes in life? If your answer to either of those questions is no, then by all means, go ahead and gossip. But if you answer yes to at least one, and you gossip, then what kind of person does that make you?

But if it's something you want to stop doing, then you can! Most of us have done it. I'm sure in one way or another I have, too. We just have to try to be better, not just for ourselves and those around us, but for the next generation.

So, the situation that brought me down ended up bringing me back up again. In fact, I was appreciative towards it. That experience helped me remember my reasons for painting and drawing. And throughout my time of being an artist, I have no regrets (apart from a couple of colors I would have stayed away from). It brings me peace, happiness, and contentment.

And I started feeling happy again.

Art brings out the ME in Mehndificent!

(Cue the happy fireworks now). :-)