Today's guest post is by my friend Melodie Kenniebrew. Melodie is an entrepreneur, blogger, world traveler and culinary teacher. She just finished teaching a series of classes on creating French pastries. (how I wish I was able to transport myself to New Mexico to take those classes!) Melodie is passionate about helping creative women make a living from their work and do what they were born to do. You can read about Melodie's fabulous traveling adventures, food discoveries and creative work on her blog Mochi in the Desert
Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is people who are alive. ~ Howard ThurmanI'm disappointed and little ticked-off today. Here's why.
First, take a look at the necklace in the photo below.
Beautiful, isn't it? I think so. It's made of Murano glass and Swarovski crystals, designed by a friend of mine we'll call "T".
T. comes alive creating one-of-a-kind pieces like these. And she is no longer doing it.
She learned while growing up that art and money didn’t go together and creating beautiful things was not a valid way to make a living.
So off she went to college to study accounting, which she hates. And became a well-paid auditor for a major company. She was a good auditor, too - fulfilled her family’s expectations and made them proud.
But, after a while, she quit because the work did not satisfy.
That's when she took a class in jewelry-making and things just took off from there - her energy, creativity, and joy. Like a rocket.
Career coach and author of 48 Days to the Work You Love, Dan Miller, says that it’s a lot easier to make money doing something you love than something you don’t, and I believe him. It makes sense.
T. used to say time flew by whenever she was working on a piece and couldn’t stop talking about the details that went into each one.
Like when she made this set for me.
She was all smiles, and so was I just listening to her.
" . . . I looked around for a while, but I know you like these colors . . . and whatever you do, Melodie, don't drop them!"
Sure, she would have to learn to market her jewelry so that others beyond friends and family might benefit. She could then earn enough money to keep on creating. And, that was doable since she enjoyed her work.
But soon after the economy began to tank, she fled to the “safety” of another company, this one not-so-big. This j-o-b is a psychological drain on her. And making jewelry is on the back burner.
So once again, she is sad - that’s why I’m mad.
No more goodies like these for me, or anyone else, to buy.
Clearly, my friend was made to make beautiful things.
And I'm reminded of the talent and ability (going to waste for no good reason) because she's arriving today for a short visit.
In writing this, I hope to encourage her and whoever reads this to fan the flame of their gifts.
Olympic champion, Michael Phelps, was born to swim.
The late Whitney Houston was born to sing.
And the legendary racehorse Secretariat was born to run.
What were you born to do?
Melodie and I both have a passion to live out our creative dreams and help other women do the same thing. We are seeing increasing trends that more of us will need to find additional revenues of income to support ourselves and our families either in part or in full. This is the time to start laying the foundation to create income from your creativity. So....I want to know too- what were you born to do? .........
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