I’ve personally never felt good enough in any one particular craft. I love doing all kinds of creative things, but never felt confident enough to pursue them further. My perspective has kinda always been, “well if I just do everything for "fun/hobby", there’s no expectations. Therefore, I don't have to be great at those things”. I thought that if I lessened my dreams or didn't have any at all, it's better than reaching and falling short. Which is not a bad view on life, if you want a mediocre one.
The sad part is that each of us is gifted in so many different ways, but fail to see them based off of lack of affirmation. At least for me, the things I know confidently i’m good at- are things people are constantly encouraging me in. But what would the world look like if each of us focused less on needing the affirmation of people and more on encouraging others? What would just your world look like? Would you do more things? Take more chances? Love more fully? Would the people around you become the best people they can be, because of your encouragement? I think so, and I think our own hearts and environments become more encouraged because of that.
What are your gifts? What are the things you know you’re good at? What are the things you love or would love to do, but don't think you're good at? The beauty of it is, is that we don’t have to be the best to make a difference in the world. Heck, we don’t even have to be good. I will never forget hearing this guy at a sunday service singing, who happened to be autistic. If ima be real, speaking technically and honestly the sound was not good. His notes were off and his volume was a good three notches over everyone else. But as I watched and listened, I saw the posture of his heart. His intent was so powerful that those flat notes became so beautiful and so soothing. You could hear the love in his heart he was trying to convey, and it honestly moved me, brought me to tears, and encourages me still. It reminded me that the "quality of craft" is in the eye of the beholder. Some people were and still probably are uncomfortable that he's so comfortable with his singing. But I saw the beauty in it; the beauty in being so carefree of what you look, feel or sound like because you believe in what you're doing or saying. It hit me that no matter my capability of a craft, it can still be used to make incredible impact.
So whether i’m taking photos, having a jam sesh, dancing, cooking, BLOGGING, it doesn’t have to be the best or even good for it to be good. These are my struggles, and things I probably will continue to battle through. That fear of “not being good enough” hasn’t gone away. I’m just learning and taking action in spite of that fear, to have the courage to overcome. To choose to let courage overcome my life verses fear. & I think that’s real confidence. Not knowing you’re the best, but just doing with intent. Using our gifts purposefully to where it won't matter how good you are or aren’t. It’s just about using all things creative to get whatever message you want across. Whether it’s love, hurt, hope, stillness, chaos, faith, imperfection- someone can relate to it or be encouraged by it. So I hope with this site, to do just that.