111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
DAY FOUR: I Wish My Foray into Acting Had Been Longer
“Have you ever considered pursuing this as a career?” my acting instructor asked.
I shook my head in response but let the idea linger. “I’m a singer,” I reminded myself. “That’s my dream.” Yet, those three semesters studying acting provided some of the most life-changing, spirit-moving, and artistically-inspired moments of my life.
I signed up for Acting I on a whim, wanting to spice up my boring class schedule that included Algebra, Health & Wellness, and Psychology. I spent the first few weeks tentative to step out of my comfort zone until I belted out a beloved musical theatre number – acapella style – during one of our class assignments. A door opened for me, and I no longer held back. I challenged myself with each scene assignment, tried comedy, and reveled in the Shakespeare and Medea monologues. Dramatic acting came as naturally to me as breathing. Just like writing a story, acting involved dissecting a character’s motivation and making her actions understandable.
I felt at home on stage, energized by the lights and inspired by my classmates’ performances. The Kelly that emerged from that time period was a young woman filled with self-confidence, pride, and an artistic spirit. I only wish I’d listened to my professor’s advice.
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 108 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
Kelly Deeny 