Moments of Realization: How Comments Shaped My Talents
Throughout my life, I've faced numerous challenges and moments of uncertainty that have ultimately helped shape my sense of self and my artistic talent. Here, I’ll share three transformative experiences: one from my music career, another from my work as a concept artist, and a final one from a personal yet profound moment involving my late father in a dream.
Music Competition in 2013
Back in 2013, there was an annual music competition in my region. I made it to the nationals, which was an exciting and proud moment. However, the judges informed me that I needed to prove that I was a student at the school and not a hired musician before I could perform.
Initially, this seemed like a significant setback, especially with the awkwardness of performing before an audience without officially being designated a student. But later, I realized that this was a reflection of the judges' confidence in my abilities. They believed that my performance would be so strong that they thought it wasn't fair to other competitors if I performed without proper identification. This experience was quite humbling but equally affirming.
Concept Art in a Cafe
A few years later, I was presenting my concept art to a client in a cafe when a random passerby commented, 'Whoa, that's amazing!' This simple verbal acknowledgment boosted my confidence in the project and the work I was doing. After that, my client also praised the presentation, which further solidified my belief in my artistic talents. The art did well, and this experience taught me the power of external validation.
Apostolic Fanfiction Delay
More recently, a fan who read my Harry Potter fanfiction sent me a passionate email after I delayed updating the story for three weeks. The fervor with which the fan expressed their feelings was both shocking and somewhat exhilarating. This experience taught me the importance of engaging with my audience and the impact of my work on others. It made me appreciate the significance of my artistic efforts beyond just the task at hand.
A Spiritual Message from Dad in a Dream
One of the more surreal and profound experiences came from a dream involving my late father. About 10 to 14 days after his passing, I had a dream where my father affirmed that he was proud of my choice to explore spirituality. This message was not just about talent but about the importance of honesty and personal growth. Following in my father's footsteps and maintaining his legacy has been a source of comfort and inspiration.
While these experiences were not the result of comments in the traditional sense, they were deeply impactful. They reinforced my belief in my talents and the importance of continuing to develop and share them with the world.
From my musical journey to my dream about my father, these experiences have been instrumental in shaping my artistic growth and confirming my identity as an artist. Each moment of realization, big or small, has played a role in the journey of self-discovery and the development of my skills.