Art for the soul.

Coming from a family of Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, Businessmen, me being an artist was considered an anomaly. The black sheep of the family. Being able to write or draw or paint was nothing important when it came to practical life. These were just the hobbies one had on the side. 

For a long time I was made to believe that i made a mistake while choosing career. Art doesn’t pay. That’s the only thing that matters right? The amount of 0s you have on your salary? After all that’s what we work for. 

Was I wrong to think I wanted more from life? Wrong to want a job that actually made me happy? Something worth waking up at 7 in the morning. 

Even though times have changed. Arts are still considered a light job. My mother used to hesitate while introducing me to her fellow doctors lest they asked why I didn’t opt for a more ‘serious’ profession. Surprisingly no one ever did! They actually enjoyed the fact that I could contribute to the conversation with a fresh perspective. It’s funny how nobody at home appreciated the creativity whilst basically everyone else praised it! 

Even today when I talk about books or music or even philosophy, most people don’t get it. So, I blog about it. And it’s appreciated here. The fact that I connect with people from different parts of the world on the basis of a shared idea or a thought, really inspires me to write about it. It amazes me how an idea that receives a ” You think too much” answer from others, receives totally opposite review here. We artists are more accepting and supportive than the “serious profession” people! 

I love what I do. It comes from the heart and manages to touch others along the way! Art keeps the soul alive. So I do it to save my soul. I hope you do the same!

“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possible can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”

-Kurt Vonnegut 

For all artist out there writers, singers, poets, actors, painters, fashion designer, visual artist, sculptors, makeup artists, hairstylists, movie makers, dancers, musicians, story tellers, potters, all fellow visionaries/romantics/dreamers! 

We are the ones that feed the souls. We spread joy, courage, touch hearts, inspire people! We own the world! Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. 

Love, 

Manal