The Art of Life

In pre-K, arts usually entail finger painting, drawing and coloring. When you reach Junior High, arts now include the Drama Club and poetry. When you're in college, arts encompass more than finger painting, the Drama Club and poetry. In here, you also learn more about the Literary Arts, architecture and the other performing arts, i.e., music and dancing.

If you look up the definition of arts, it usually covers only all the above, nothing more. What the dictionaries and thesauruses fail to mention is how these arts shape the future of a lot of people, and sometimes, while studying the arts, they have the epiphany that this is what they want to do for the rest of their lives.

Building Blocks

If you take a look around you and really observe all that is going on, you will start to notice how art is working in unfolding life everyday. See that couple in the corner stealing a kiss? That's the art of love. What about your friend who's always poring over his blueprints making sure that every corner and every step of a new housing project are in the right place. That's the art of constructing an edifice, called architecture.

When you go to the theater to watch a play, you are actually watching the dynamics of performing arts. Or when you sit down to read your favorite Oscar Wilde play, the story of Peter Pan or the Harry Potter series; you are enjoying a literary work of art and learning from the pages of your favorite story.

Suffice it to say, experiencing the sentiments of the author, the play writer, the architect, the musician, and the ballerina when you read, watch and listen, helps you cope with the challenges of daily life. They help form your thoughts, your feelings and sentiments. In a way, they are a part of your life's building blocks.

Play It Again, Sam

Do you remember who uttered those words and in what movie? It's a very popular line from Casablanca although I forget who said it. Who says "what's up, doc?" That carrot-munching hare, Bugs Bunny, of course. Let's face it, touching movie lines somehow find themselves embedded in our memories, and we only remember them when we, all of a sudden, utter them from out of nowhere.

How many times have we quoted popular movie lines, song lyrics or poetry verses to prove a point or emphasize something we want understood right to the dot. You don't believe me? Have you ever been told by a girl that you complete her? Uh, Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire.

I've digressed. The point is, studying the arts is not only something you'll find you might enjoy. It also gives you a perspective on life and it helps hone your innate talents that you were so afraid to show. It builds confidence and discipline.

So the next time you get nudged to audition for a play, sing in front of a crowd karaoke-style or draw a project you've been putting off; go ahead. Who knows? You might just find the fulfillment you've been searching for.