Make My Day!

When I first started to blog for The Artist In You! I had no idea what I had volunteered for. I hesitated and carefully looked at all they had to offer and made notes in my head. I thought to myself, "Can I really do this? Is my work good enough? What will I say about my paintings? What are they really expecting from me and why?" I had so many thoughts going through my head as I tried to decide whether I was right for this group.

One day I got the courage and decided to just go for it. As you probably already know...I LOVE ART in all shapes and forms. I love colors. I love creating. I love sharing. I love communicating with other artists and giving back. I just wanted to make this world a better place in any way that I could and that's why I decided to blog for The Artist In You! Since then I have never looked back. I've learned a lot about me and I've learned a lot about The Artist In You! and about those involved with The Artist In You!

First of all I want to thank my friends here who have supported me in my efforts to blog. I stumbled through some of the computer language that was unknown to me and with their help succeeded in bringing to you some of my creations as well as some of the wonderful work of other exceptional artists, which I promise to continue to do as my way of giving back.

Now, I have to go back a few years in order for you to understand how I feel about, The Artist In You!

In 2004 I decided to really give painting a try. I have loved art since childhood, but had substituted art with other creative outlets like cake decorating, sewing, macrame, floral arranging and cooking to mention just a few, but, when my children graduated from high school, I thought I would get back to painting in order to avoid going back into a depression. Instead I would do what I thought I was meant to do right from the start. I would paint to fill the void.

In 1976 I became a teacher, because that is what my parents thought I should be, and at the time it sounded like a good idea. I taught school for several years, had my own children and decided to stay home and raise them. I didn't want to go back to teaching. I never really felt I was meant to teach and later, when I substituted, I did it only for the money and for all the wrong reasons. People would always ask me if I was getting a lot of 'subbing' as if it had anything to do with my self-worth, but I mistakenly thought it did. As it turned out it only made me feel worse. I still have nightmares about 'subbing' in high school. I just couldn't handle the trouble makers and it only made me feel worse about myself. I wanted to do "GOOD" in this world and it was only making me out to be "BAD". I struggled with life I think because of things that have happened to me in my past and because of the thoughts that were always going through my head. I would always put myself down and my thoughts led me to depression.

Well I'm here to tell you that I was at an all time low when I read an article in the "Reader's Digest" magazine about depression. There they had listed ten questions that needed to be answered to know whether a person was in a depression or not. When I answered them truthfully I realized for the first time in my life that I was in a serious depression. I decided to go to my doctor for help and luckily, and I say this with great sincerity, my medication and my creativity got me through some very difficult times. Writing helped a lot. During that time I wrote a book for my children which I called, "From Me to You, Love Mom...Fifty Ways to be a Better Person". I think it helped me to write and I wanted to let my children know how I wanted them to be when they grew up. I wanted them to have values and I wanted them to do "GOOD" in this world. I did not want them to waste their talents because I knew how important it was for them to feel good about themselves.

And this leads me back to "Artist in You" This is a place where I find I belong, a place where you are accepted for who you are, a place where you can reach out to the world and try to do good. This is a place where you can share your thoughts, your dreams, your hopes for mankind and this is a place where you are encouraged everyday in so many ways to feel good about yourself. We are all very different and yet so unique and this group welcomes you with open arms and tells you that you are special and worthy and encourages you to be all that you can be. This is a place where you can share your creativity and a place where your creativity is applauded. This is a group who wants you to help make this world a better place and offers you the tools to do so - and all they ask for in return is a little of your time and your talents. If you are already sharing on Facebook, why not share where it can and will make a difference in someone's life? I assure you...you will never look back once you join. You will only look forward to the contributions you can make to help brighten someone's day. Let's face it, when you do something good for someone else, in return you feel good. If you haven't figured that out yet here's your chance. "MAKE MY DAY..."

Regina Sabiston
Artist & Author