Exuberant
Today is Wednesday, which means it’s time for the Inspirational word of the week.
Exuberant: (adjective)1. uninhibitedly enthusiastic. 2 abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous 3. luxuriant, abundant.
I made a mistake this week.
In my exuberance to share my idea for a drawing contest with everyone else here in Ortonville, I really didn’t pay enough attention when the sponsor/chair said “yeah, whatever”. Instead of taking the hint, I assumed she’d tell me if she had a problem with it. Well, apparently I was wrong. When I went in to talk to her about it today, she was mad and insulted that I didn’t bring it up to her “properly”. She let me know that putting together this art contest is a lot of work and not something to be taken lightly. She has years of education and experience at doing this. My adding on this drawing contest was unfair and not in-line with what she thinks the art contest should be about. “It’s just wrong!” she says.
Long story short, she’ll keep the art contest. For her, it’s about promoting her store and sustaining her livelihood. I get that.
The reason I chose to become an artist is because I believe the creative process of making art is healing and life-changing. I believe art can help people feel better (if they let it).
That’s why I wanted to introduce the drawing contest.
The idea of it is simple. Everyone is invited to fill in a supplied shape with pencil, ink, crayons or paint. (I’ve added the image of one I filled in last year using Prisma colored pencils. (oooh pretty!!) (Next year we can add seeds, glitter, fabric and cool stuff!!!!)
The night of the event, everyone gives me their drawing (only one allowed per person) with a dollar. All of the drawings will be displayed and voted on by the people at the park. Whichever picture gets the most votes wins all of the monies. The more people to submit pieces, the bigger the prize!
Ultimately, it’s a way to give people a chance to be creative, to get them to take their minds off of their troubles and focus on making something beautiful. It’s an opportunity to give people something fun to do! Not to mention the winner of the drawing contest could win a lot of money!
Plus, the Beets, Beats and Eats is in a park during the summer with musicians, vendors, mature trees, play equipment for the kids and a new pavilion to eat dinner under! How cool is that!!!
It’s my hearts desire to know that when I die, I’ll have used up every ounce of energy the Universe gave me appreciating my life as well as helping other people enjoy their time here on Earth. That doesn’t mean my job will be easy. My exuberance sometimes blinds me to the subtle hints and cues of other people. My challenge will be to keep trying to do the best I can with what the Universe gave me, which is an exuberant nature!
So for now the drawing contest will be held at the BB&E on our Community Building night on July 2. If you’re in town please come on in and join in the fun!
Thanks for following along with my volunteer adventures, my friendly blog reader. I appreciate knowing you’re there!
Have a great weekend!
xoxo Pam
Very well said…I thought it was a cool idea
Sounds like Art Therapy to me! Just don’t know about the public exchange of moneys, there’s probably an ordinance, tax, code, permit, hoop of some kind to go through to make it legal and keep you out of trouble (:
Wowza! Your exuberance isn’t blinding you - the adults you associate with are perfectly capable of communicating their feelings! I’m proud of you and your enthusiasm, and everything you’ve accomplished by putting it to work. Go You!
@Diana Thanks for saying so!
xoxo
@Jim It most certainly IS art therapy! I’ll make sure I check into the legalities first, but since I’m not taking any of the money, there shouldn’t be a problem.
@Tamara Thank You for your enthusiastic response!!! xoxo