I am FREE to be Creative.

I dropped my car off at the car dealership last week for a service and was blessed to meet a life-long photographer. The dealership I service through has a shuttle service in which I always use to avoid waiting at the dealership all day. I was on my way home when I began eavesdropping on a conversation between the shuttle driver and one of the fellow passengers.

This passenger and the shuttle driver were discussing his photography business and I was so intrigued. The photographer spoke of shooting photos for the NBA, the NFL and the MLB. The photography spoke of years of capturing memories, moments and droplets in time. His passion for photography rang so high. For someone who has just began to accept her creative voice it was encouraging to see.

He talked about working freely in creativity. It made me think of you. If you're anything like me you've been doing whatever it takes to pay the bills. You're in a career that was sold as the end all be all but many days you find yourself unfulfilled. Why is that? Many of us are seeking the dream we were introduced to in our youth. The thing is what worked then might not work now... let this be a reminder that you are free to be creative.

I have a friend who is empathetic, kind and hardworking. She played College Basketball and is now coaching her daughters little league team. She let it slip the other day that she used to dream of having a rec center. You know what is interesting about that? I can see it. I can see her loving on and providing opportunities for kids and being a pillar in her community but that takes the freedom to be creative. The freedom to dream and the freedom to believe.

I know someone else who has a keen eye for fashion. Her fashionable expression is something you could see in a magazine but like myself she is working in a career to stay afloat. She will have to step into the creativity to build a brand while working for someone else.

Lastly, I know someone who was into digital media in school but found herself in a career. The career leaves no room for creative expression but pays the bills. She will be getting married soon and probably have children and the ability to seek after the freedom of creativity changes under the bounds of motherhood.

Let me give a disclaimer here: I do not see anything wrong with Corporate America. I know some people thrive in this environment and find the fulfillment they need. For others, like me, creativity can be thwarted when one has to consider the needs of another one's business over their own creative expression.

The photographer spoke of his career with such meek, humble fulfillment which is only available when one fully dives into their own self-expression. If you're a creative like me, I want to encourage you to find what creative outlet you long for. Once you define it, prioritize it.

Today I want to encourage you to affirm yourself with the statement below:

I am free to be creative.