By: Jimmie Sykes
“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create, or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions, and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.”
Expression is defined as the way one makes their thoughts or feelings known. The way you express yourself paints a picture of you. It is your forefront image, and can also be a way you tend to escape reality.
Expressing yourself is something that is necessary for all individuals. Everyone comes from different walks of life. Through expression, people can hear/see your story. When I express myself, it is a way I show how I want people to know me. Like "hey, this is what I do." One day, I look forward to making a living for what I love to do. More people would be at peace with themselves and those around them knowing that every day when they up they're doing something they love.
As a man, it feels good to express myself. We were taught to be bottled in with our expressions but these type of things don’t help us at all. It’s best to let it out. Key expressions define you. Do what you love to do.
Often times I catch myself writing various things such as short stories, poems, or music because I love how it allows you to escape your reality and express it at the same time. I enjoy writing music, it helps me relax. Even though I don't have the voice or cadence in my tone to create music, just writing it is a form of expression to me. Hopefully I can work with others who are vocally gifted and do some work.
Listening to music relaxes me as well. The various music artists I listen to on a daily basis helps me with the way I show expression. Certain artists are made for certain moods with me. When I write, I write about controversial issues going on in today's world. Reason being it helps me grasp on to the situation so I can stay aware of the world we live in.
Some people like to express themselves by basketball, others like to create art. However you want to do it is up to you. With this, its best to find something you're good at. Preferably this expression should be passionate. Make your expressions speak volume to the world so they can see your worth.
The Black Family by Kevin Williams. This is one of the reasons I appreciate art. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Listening to what others think and being influenced by a style that isn't for you are two ways that you can sweep your originality under the rug. Exert your craft and your talent through the way you express yourself. Me typing this post is a way that I express myself towards the masses.
Everyone has their zone, and this so happens to be mine. Find the way you express yourself best, and paint a picture. There comes a point in life where the expression of your craft shouldn't be something that you hold back on. If you're living your life through expression, then express yourself. Holding back on your craft is just another way of holding back on your dreams.
The reason I wrote this post is because I see so many talented individuals around me who don't know how to bring it out. Or bring it out correctly more specifically. The best expression is raw expression. The type of kind that is unfiltered and straight from the heart. Never mask your expressions. For the every form of expression that you possess, I can almost guarantee that there are millions of people that can relate. You just never know.
Sometimes, the faith and confidence you have in yourself is better than the talent that you actually possess. Without that faith or confidence, that talent won't matter on a larger scale.
I would love to see all creative minds around me showing the world who they really are by the way they express their craft. Before you do that, make sure you work on your dreams/perfect your craft every chance you get (I got a post on that too, check the archives).
Gone and do it.