Self-expression helps us feel capable and lovable does this lead to self-esteem?

Painting by Belynda Wilson Thomas

Self-expression is the dominant necessity of human nature. Dale Carnegie

I did get my second novel Secrets and Sorrow published in print on Amazon on February 1, 2022. The EBook will be available on February 5th. There was a time when I agonized about whether I should self-publish or try to publish at all.

I know a lot of people look down on people who self-publish, but unless we are a big name or get paid a huge advance for our book we aren’t getting a lot of money put into it to promote it. We still have to be the ones building our readership. If that’s the case why not take full control?

Writing a book is not a sure-fire way to fame and fortune but it does lead to an interesting life with doors opening because of the book we never thought might open. As a speaker we are a little more interesting, someone might want to interview us. Some authors will even become paid speakers.

When we take a chance on ourselves, build the business, create something, find a niche and carve a place out for ourselves our lives take on a dimension they didn’t have before. It isn’t only about the money although if money comes our way it is usually something we are grateful for. The big payoff is our self-development. We become more of who we are meant to be.

There was a time when artisans and creators created everything one at a time. There was no mass production, no big factories. Mass production has done a lot for society but in the history of mankind has only been around for a short time.

What a company like Amazon does for someone like me is give me a place to sell what I’ve created. It is offering this to lots of creative people to market their creations. Technology is giving us opportunities if we take advantage of them. There are so many ways we can develop ourselves, our interests, and our talents. I don’t advocate being a starving artist; I didn’t take that route myself.

There is an idea out there that we don’t need a huge following to make it as an artist, singer, writer, or any other creative endeavor. The idea is if we can get one thousand true fans we can turn our art, writing, or another enterprise into a viable business.

If we’re really committed to growth, we never stop discovering new dimensions of self and self-expression. Oprah Winfrey

The idea is not to make it big on one record, book, or idea but to build a body of work and an audience over time. The best way to do it may be to build a life that pays the bills in another way and have the creative pursuits not have the heavy burden of paying for our livelihood. We hear multiple streams of income are the way to build a great life. The more streams of income we have coming in the less dependent we are on any of the streams, and the more financial stability we can build into our lives.

If I had to do it over I’d build multiple streams of income early, but we all are where we are, and we have to do the best with what we have. It’s not like multiple streams of income is a new concept but we did what a lot of people do. We thought we would get to that next year and our next years have caught up with us.

Yesterday I read a post that said our best and most productive years are between 50 and 80. Unfortunately, a lot of us are just getting to the best years of our lives when we retire. Sometimes retirement gives us opportunities but sometimes we buy the idea we are old and a has-been, of little worth with not much to offer. We have what we’ve always had to offer if we will offer it.

My aunt lived until 97 and said, “I’m going to live until I die.” She meant she was living with passion and purpose. I think she still bowled into her nineties. She took up figure skating as a senior. Life will be over one day, for all of us, but we can make the most of it while we can. What is calling out for us to express? Do we want to paint, write, quilt, build something, or grow something? Whatever it is if we find a way to bring it into our lives even in some small way, a dimension will be added to our life that may pay dividends we can’t even imagine.

Self-expression is a vital part of understanding life and enjoying it to the full. Oliver Bowden

Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment. Pearl S. Buck

Art is a platform where self-expression should not be limited. I’m here to inspire. There is no age-limit to that. Shania Twain

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you will come again and read some more. Have a blessed day filled with gratitude, joy, and love.

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Thank you to those who read my books. A special thank you to those that leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon. If you purchase an item through the Amazon link I receive a small percentage of the sale through the Amazon affiliate program