Kelly Gibbons, artist and writer, about me

Thursday, February 19, 2004

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back,a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank or in your wallet, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. ~ Author Unknown

I like my life. I am happy. If I won the lottery and found myself suddenly rich thinks would definitely be easier, but I don't think much would change. That says volumes.

If I won the lottery I would continue to write. I would go out and buy all updated equipment and fancy things, but I wouldn't give up writing. It is something I love to do. A few years ago the very first thing I would have done if I won the lottery was quit my job.

Those fancy things and updated equipment would be nice. They would make things easier, but they aren't necessary. A pen and some paper are all I need.

I would also continue to paint. I might buy new paints and brushes and set up a studio, but again, they wouldn't make me a better artist. I would consider lessons for that. I work with the cheapest stuff right now and I can still paint. It is not the supplies, it is what is inside.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house for more space. My own office and studio would be nice. My husband and the kids would love spaces of their own too--a workshop, a gym, a game room. Again, all nice things and yes it would be wonderful, but not necessary. We have a nice home and wonderful neighbors. I would be sad to leave.

So, if I won the lottery I might live in a bigger house, have the best equipment and supplies but I would still be the same person. I would still have fears that my art work wasn't good. I would still struggle to come up with ideas. I will still write bad first drafts and I'd still have to do rewrites. To be published I would still have to send queries and samples.

If I had money to do all the things I say I want to do, maybe I wouldn't have time to write or draw. And that would be very sad. It is important to do what your heart tells you to do no matter what. A rich person can have as many regrets as a poor person. Will I be happier in twenty years simply because I'm rich? I don't thing so.

I believe what I've heard: Follow you heart and the money will come. I also panic at times when I forget this. I'm starting to see that money is my excuse. If I had money I could do this. I won't let it be. If I am going to do this I'll find a way. If that means taking on other jobs, so be it. If it means making due with was I have, so be it. If it means giving things up that I don't really need, so be it. Doing what I am doing makes me happy. Winning the lottery won't do that.

A million dollars won't make me rich or happy if I wasn't rich or happy before I got it.

posted by Kelly @ 2/19/2004 08:05:00 AM

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