Chasing Sunsets...

By trade, I am an educator, a champion for students, someone cheering them on, every child needs a champion. When students come to school at an early age, no one has to teach them to be creative. Creativity rushes out of their very being, the imagination runs wild on their blank canvas. I was no different at that age. My childhood was as normal as my single parent mother could make it and filled with love and support. There were mistakes along the way, traumas that I experienced, the struggle to fit in and be accepted for who I was, the unanswered questions, and what we would label today as depression.

As I moved through elementary school and into the secondary level, new doors opened and I started to discover my identity through a very creative route; the arts. A set of educators nurtured my creativity and potential daily. I found my tribe of friends that accepted me, and we embraced the arts whole heartedly. We were the arts, we were creative, we were marching to our own drum and oblivious to the real-world. The world was our canvas and we were going to change it.

After graduation, I submerged myself in self-expression and pursued the arts as a career. However, I quickly found my creativity lacking, I found myself being put into the box of formal training. I experienced burnout quickly and found my love for the stage away from the formal training. I stuck it out and earned a degree and started teaching high school students in an inner-city school. What I experienced those years, I was not prepared for in formal training. What I did learn was that some people you come in contact with that need the most love show it in the most unconventional ways. I learned the real meaning of respect, loyalty, passion, trust, commitment, and the realities of the real-world that students face each day. My identity shifted during these years and changed my creative process in the most positive way.

During these years, I experienced additional traumas outside of the classroom and quickly became so consumed with life. I was no longer playing, writing, drawing, painting, or doing anything creative with my life. This path continued for ten years and I could no longer identify myself when I looked in the mirror. My marriage ended, my family relationships were damaged severely, and I was covered with the scars that were not visible to the eye.

It was through all of these life experiences that I started reflecting and answering all of the tough questions. This is never an easy process when you have to be honest and vulnerable with yourself. The internal struggle was intense and I was able to work through so many issues because of my support system that held me accountable and were honest throughout the process. Through the process, a theme became evident; creativity is your identity.

I say all of this to say and encourage people that no matter how many sunsets you chase, no matter much you are always looking for the next best thing, we are all rooted in creativity in our own right. Life has a way of coming full circle and it is never too far from where you started at such a young age. Creativity does not always mean playing an instrument, painting a picture, or singing a solo. Sometimes, creativity is simply building a family, lending a helping hand, showing compassion, or being empathetic. We all have a way of creating a positive experience for everyone we come in contact with. Stop chasing the sunset and start painting it each day, it will always be beautiful. Creativity has a way of healing hearts and touching lives. The world needs more creative people, embrace your identity.