Secrets behind a $45 ‘Guess’ Shirt
When I was in the 7th grade, I saved $45 and went to Dillard’s to buy a Guess brand long sleeve shirt. I had never spent money on clothes before, and until the 7th grade, I was not too consumed with what I wore. However, when I was 13, it was different. In 7th grade, like many of my peers, I believed my clothes served as a key to social success. I believed these clothes would garner acceptance from others. In addition, these clothes gave me a way to be “cool” without having to reveal any genuine aspect of myself.
Sixteen years later, I don’t purchase $45 shirts, and I don’t really have a longing to be considered “cool”….but at my core, I still desire acceptance and still try to avoid transparency out of a fear of rejection. For instance, I have a hard time being transparent about personal struggles I go through. I will be completely honest about a personal struggle after I have walked through it. But, if I am in the middle of a trial, I hide it from many people. If my hunch is correct, transparency is something that doesn’t come easy for most of us. However, when I think about the power of transparency, I long for it.
Being genuine with myself and with others allows me to view my life clearly. If I’m being authentic, then I know that friends and family are accepting me with all of my strengths and weaknesses. I also find that when I’m authentic with others, this gives them permission to be authentic with me.
In the world of art, I believe that transparency is one of the most important traits that an artist can have. When artists are transparent, we get to see an incredibly HONEST creative portrayal of another person. It doesn’t matter if the art represents reality or fiction. Any work of art serves as an outflow of someone’s inner core. Transparency in art can dynamically impact the viewers of this art. Much like I find in my own life, the honesty in one’s creativity can serve as a powerful catalyst and “permission giver” for others to live authentically.
I leave you with a question to ask yourself. When you display your creativity to others, do you show your transparency as well? Today, try living for 10 minutes with total unabashed authenticity…see what happens.
Come back this Wednesday because I want to show you two examples in art that I think serve as great examples of transparent creativity.
-Jonathan
My comment would be a lot funnier if I finally admitted how jealous I was of that shirt. But….I wiped my brain of all 7th grade memories long ago. I fully agree with the value of transparency in art and life, especially as believers. One of the most encouraging messages we have for non-believers is that our lives stink sometimes too, but we have hope because of the risen Christ.