H
completely lost in a book to the point that
ave you ever noticed
how differently artists
you stayed up all night reading it because
see the world? The joy
you simply could not wait to know what was
that a musician finds in
going to happen next to those the characthe sound of raindrops
ters. The ability to engender that reaction in
on a tin roof mixed with
a reader takes craftsmanship and creativity.
the breathy tones of the wind as it swirls
Writers of this ilk are as rare as those woodthrough tiny spaces is not an inspiration
crafters who can carve a grizzly bear out of
to those of us who simply appreciate mua tree stump. And are equally deserving of
sic rather than make it. In the hands of a
appreciation and adoration.
composer, those sounds become the next
But what of the rest of us? Is our story any
concerto.
less valued if we lack the ability to craft it
The beauty and bounty that rises from
into a format that will keep readers up all
a block of wood when under the talented
night? No. Everyone has a story. And every
hands of a wood carver is only recognized
story has value and worth, even though not
by those whose vision sees the heart of that
everyone knows how to communicate their
wood block and what it can become. The
story.
swirling patterns created by the juxtaposiWe live in a chaotic world. In this short
tion of water, sand, and creatures
essay, I am clearly not solving
as the sea ebbs and flows with the
the problems of our complicated
tide take on a life of their own
world. What I am proposing,
when seen and then portrayed by
however, is to stop, for just a
a painter or photographer.
moment. Put yourself in a timeThose with a creative eye see
out. Check out of the chaos for a
the world through a lens that is
few minutes every day.
unique to their brand of creativSpend that time looking for
ity. Does this infer that the rest
your unique vision, your unique
of the world is made less for not
story. It’s there. Life may have
having that lens? No. Everyone
pushed it into a corner in the
In her recently published
books, Purpose Powered
has a story.
back of your perception. I promPeople
and
Purpose
to
Everyone has a unique perise you, however, that it IS there
Author-ity, CaZ (also
spective. Some stories are more
known as Candy Zulkosky), and needs only a little promptshares aspects of her own
easily shared, like the tiered-cake
ing to come forward.
journey and explains
Don’t be afraid of how you
masterpiece created by the baker
how anyone can find and
follow their own story,
will share your story. You have
on the occasion of your wedding.
their
passion
to
become
a
the ability to see to the heartEveryone has a story. And if you
published author.
wood of your story in a way that
don’t happen to be an artist, then
no one else can. If you choose to share your
translating your internal vision into a shared
story, then be joyful. If you choose to keep
reality may depend on using someone else’s
your story within, then be joyous. There is
communication skills.
no wrong choice, except perhaps to not look
The ability to communicate thoughts,
for your story at all. Everyone has a story.
ideas, and emotions is also an art. If you
What’s yours?
doubt this, consider whether you ever gotten