This I Believe

This I Believe

Everyone has had at least one difficult struggle in their life. An event that has broken them down, and torn them apart inside. After these events, everyone has their own way of handling these feelings. Sure, some people buy expensive gifts, some cry and devour pounds of cookie dough, but I believe that the greatest way to truly express your feelings and move on from a situation is through art.

It seems that art is one of those rare things that I will always have and trust no matter how old I grow. It has gotten me through death of loved ones, heartbreak, arguments, and so much more. It is the best way for me to let all of my emotions out without being judged. No one can walk in on my scattered art and judge it because they don’t understand its meaning, regardless of how hard I try to explain it to them. I can make it whatever I want it to be and no one can take it away from me.

In art class we got to make paintings by drawing on tables. Everyone was drawing the typical flowers, hearts, and butterflies; but I was not satisfied with these useless things. They didn’t have and meaning to me, so I didn’t want to paint them. It was as simple as that. So, while everyone else was off drawing butterflies and pointless pansies, I drew something that spoke to me; something that reflected recent stress and heartbreak in my life. I worked so viciously on it that I’m sure some were stricken by my intensity, but I was in a different realm and didn’t care. After a lot of strain it was complete. It was dark and depressing, yet exactly what I intended it to be. I was able to let go of all my anger and hurt I had inside and pour it out into my artwork.

Then there’s my piano. I’ve got to love my good old piano, always calling me to tip tap on it once more. When I was younger, whenever my parents or friends would make me mad I’d head down to my piano and play music from my heart out of my fingertips. Sure, that sounds a little exaggerated, but when I touched my fingers on the keys I felt, and still feel my emotions draining out of my mind and into sound. I’m not saying that I sit around making symphony’s because well…there is NO chance of that, but I play songs already written or put chords together that match my emotions at the moment. I use this as a way to get in touch with my emotions, leave the rest of the world behind, and focus on the now, not anything else that would ordinarily be intruding my mind. It has become a way to break free and be who I want to be.

Now, if you prefer to open the tub of cookie dough and start gobbling or go and buy yourself a new diamond bracelet I’m not going to judge you; if that’s how you feel you can release your emotions then go for it. But I encourage everyone down in spirits to try to open yourself up to the endless possibilities art holds. Art has the greatest power to help us look deep into ourselves and cure our souls during difficult struggles. This I believe.