God's gift to me

I'm about 5 months away from completing my degree in theatre. I've often been questioned about why I choose to study theatre. The simple answer is that I feel in love with it and the people who I worked with. I've always been of the dramatic (or overdramatic) sort and have been involved in various aspects of performing since I was pretty young. When I got into college I quite literally stumbled into a role in a show and one show led to another and by the middle of my sophemore year I decided that I would change my major. I started out as an education major and honestly I hated it. I loved the kids, but was sickened by the silliness of undergrad education classes. When I switched to theatre I didn't have a particularly compelling arguement for it other than it just felt right. If someone had told me in high school that I would end up a theatre major I would have laughed in their face. I admit I've looked back a few times on this road and thought to myself, "Oh, Crap...what did I do?" But when it comes right down to it I love it. I love what I am doing. I'm glad that I've done all of this. I've learned so so many things. I've learned practical things, like how to sew and the proper use of power tools. I've learned about problem solving, thinking on my feet, and working under pressure. I've learned about the process of theatre, the taking of words on a page and making them come alive. I've learned about follow through and the fact that no matter what the show really must go on. I've learned how to work with all kinds of people. I've learned how to be a leader and how to be a follower. But most of all I've learned about myself. I've learned that I can accomplish things I never expected to accomplish. I learned that I'm not as open as I should be. I learned that if I commit myself to something I can make it happen. I learned how sweet of a victory it is to do something people didn't think you could do. I learned that I'm not a half bad actress. I learned where my breaking points are and the places where I need to get better. I learned that I've still got a lot to learn and that's okay. I learned that art is also a gift from God and it's my duty to use this gift to glorify him. I may not be a docter or a teacher or a preacher, but I still have something to contribute to the kingdom no matter what other people say.

I said all of that to say that I'm not making anymore apologies. I'm tired of people looking down on my because I didn't choose to be something "practical." First of all how boring would it be if we all had the same talents? God is the one who gave me these talents and I love doing what I do. Who am I to not use the gifts that God gave me? Secondly, my status as a "starving artist" isn't really your concern. I trust in God to guide me and I'm not particularly worried about money. I may not ever be rich, but I don't need to be either. There are much more important things in this world than whether or not I get that house with the white picket fence.

This post brought to you by the ever cheerful Michelle "starving artist, should have grown up in the '60's" Staggs.