Motivation logo

Self-expression and fulfillment

Deeper connection

By Raven kayPublished 3 years ago 7 min read

About me

I was an ordinary man who grew up in a far-off land called Armenia. Despite the challenges I faced in my childhood, I always had a vivid imagination that I used to escape from the realities of life. I would often dream of a world where I was the hero, a world where I felt like he belonged.

I was scared of the world outside of my imagination. I felt like I never fit in and was constantly searching for a place where I belonged. Despite this, I tried to live life to the fullest and make the most of his situation.

When I was of 18th age, I had been forced to join the Russian Army for two years. The discipline and training I received during this time helped me become a better person, there in the Army, I learn about Bruce Lee, and planned my future study of Martial Arts.

My time in the Russian Army was a pivotal moment in my life. It was there that I first learned about the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, and saw his movies. I was fascinated by Lee's philosophy and his approach to martial arts, and I knew that I wanted to learn more. So, after completing my time in the army, I made a plan to study martial arts in the future. After his two-year stint in the Russian Army, I was ready for a change of pace. I wanted to learn a new skill and explore new horizons in the profession. One day, I began to network and look for new opportunities in the industry. Through a series of connections, I was introduced to a corporation that had just opened a new factory to produce shoes

Excited by the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to work with the corporation. I was hired on as a shoemaker, and I quickly proved myself to be a valuable asset to the team.

My attention to detail and creative designs helped the corporation produce shoes that were unlike any others on the market. For several years, I worked at the factory, learning from my colleagues and continuing to hone my skills.

1991 my journey to the United States was a difficult one, but I was filled with hope for a better future. I was just 20 years old when he immigrated with my family in 1991, but I was already determined to pursue my passion for Kung-Fu. After serving in the Army, I was finally able to pursue my dream of studying martial arts. My journey as a martial artist was not just about the physical aspect of the art. It was about the philosophy and the inner peace that came with the

When I was young. He loved watching Star Wars and Battle Star Galactic, two TV series that fueled my imagination and inspired me to be the best version of who I’m now as a grown man.

About Raven Kay:

Despite his success and reputation as a martial artist, Raven eventually fell into bad habits. The stress of working as a security guard, combined with a lack of physical activity, led him to start smoking and neglecting his health. He stopped practicing martial arts and let his body fall into a state of disrepair.

However, after 40 years, He realized that he needed to take control of his life and his health. He quit smoking and started trying to get back into shape, but it was not as easy as he thought. He began to experience heart problems and kidney issues, and he was forced to slow down his progress. Despite the obstacles, He was determined to get back on track.

He was seeing the doctor regularly for his heart and kidney issues, and he started a strict regimen of exercise and healthy eating.

Raven had always struggled with sleepless nights, often lying awake for hours at a time, unable to fall asleep. It was a problem that had plagued him since he was a young boy, and he didn't know what to do about it.

One day, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He started creating his own dreams, imagining vivid and exciting scenarios in his head. In his dreams, he could be anyone he wanted to be, from a daring adventurer to a powerful warrior.

As he drifted off to sleep, Raven would lose himself in his dreams, letting his imagination take him to far-off lands and incredible adventures. The dreams were so engaging and thrilling that he would often fall asleep without even realizing it.

Over time, this practice became a regular part of Raven's routine. Whenever he was struggling to fall asleep, he would turn to his imagination and let his mind take him on an adventure. It became a way for him to cope with his insomnia and find a way to rest.

Years later, as an adult, Raven continued to use his imagination to deal with the stresses of daily life. He found solace in his dreams and used them as a way to escape from the challenges of the real world.

Looking back, Raven realized that his struggle with insomnia had been a blessing in disguise. It led him to develop a powerful and imaginative mind, one that he could use to create his own dreams and find peace in times of stress and uncertainty.

Raven's story is a reminder of the power of the human imagination and the incredible things that can be achieved when we let our minds run wild. Whether it's to cope with sleepless nights or to find a way to deal with the stresses of everyday life, our imaginations can be a powerful tool to help us navigate the world around us.

Despite the toll that smoking and the stresses of life had taken on his body, Raven was determined to continue pursuing his passions and living life to the fullest. At the age of 50, he made the decision to quit smoking and focus on his health.

Although the damage had already been done to his body, Raven refused to let his physical limitations hold him back. He knew he needed to take things at a slower pace, but he was determined to keep training and pushing himself in the martial arts that he loved.

In addition to his martial arts practice, Raven also rediscovered his love for art. As a young man, he had always enjoyed drawing and painting, but had put his artistic pursuits on hold after joining the army and pursuing his other interests.

At the age of 51, however, he decided to pick up the paintbrush once again. He began experimenting with oils and found that he had a natural talent for creating abstract paintings. His paintings were filled with bold colors and dynamic shapes, each one a reflection of his unique perspective on the world around him.

Through his art and his martial arts practice, Raven found a sense of peace and fulfillment that he had been missing for many years. He knew that he would never be able to turn back the clock and undo the damage that had been done to his body, but he was determined to make the most of the time he had left.

Looking back on his life, Raven realized that he had been given many opportunities and had pursued many different interests. But in the end, it was the things that had truly captured his heart - martial arts and art - that had given his life more meaning and purpose.

About his Art

Deepening Raven’s connection to his work refers to developing a more intimate and personal relationship with his creative projects and art. This involves understanding the motivations, emotions, and personal meaning behind his work, and fully immersing himself in the creative process.

When he deepens your connection to your work, he can experience the process on a deeper level, leading to greater satisfaction and fulfillment. This can also result in more meaningful and impactful art, as he is able to tap into your own experiences and emotions to create work that is truly his own.

By deepening his connection to his work, he can experience the creative process in a more meaningful and fulfilling way, leading to a greater understanding of himself and his art. Allowing creativity to flow refers to the process of letting go of limitations and worries, distractions, and inhibitions, and allowing his imagination and instincts to guide his artwork.

This approach can result in a more natural, spontaneous, and authentic creation, as opposed to following a preconceived idea or plan. Encouraging free-flowing creativity can enhance the process of self-expression and help him produce unique and meaningful works of art.

When creativity is allowed to flow, it means that you are allowing yourself to express yourself freely and spontaneously without constraints or limitations. This can lead to:

1. Innovation: Creativity can lead to new and innovative ideas and solutions that may not have been discovered through traditional thinking.

2. Deeper connection: Allowing creativity to flow can lead to a deeper connection with one's inner self, leading to more meaningful and authentic self-expression.

3. Increased enjoyment: The creative process can become more enjoyable and fulfilling when creativity is allowed to flow freely.

4. Improved mental health: Engaging in creative activities has been shown to improve mental health and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

5. Enhanced problem-solving skills: By approaching problems and challenges with a creative and open mind, individuals can find new and unexpected solutions.

When creativity is suppressed or inhibited by external factors, such as fear of failure, self-doubt, or societal expectations, it can lead to decreased motivation, low self-esteem, and reduced overall satisfaction. By allowing creativity to flow, individuals can experience the full potential of their imagination and achieve greater self-expression and fulfillment.

goalshappinesshealingquotesself helpsuccess

About the Creator

Raven kay

My name is Raven Kay, and am an oil painter. My personal website is https://www.armorthoughts.com/

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.