Ordinary acts reveal the artistry within us all
From athletes and mechanics to bakers and builders, people use their gifts every day to create beauty, solve problems and serve others.
By Julie A. Ferraro | FāVS News Columnist
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
Sometimes, I just sit, marveling at the expressions of art all around me.
That art starts in creation, with so many different types of flowers, trees, animals — people, even. It’s not a coincidence that “creation” and “creativity” originate from the same word.
I can imagine God in a divine workshop — a scene parodied in comedic sketches — fashioning the lion, the hippopotamus, the platypus; so many different varieties of roses, tulips, water lilies and more.
Expanding on that concept of infinite artistic tendencies, are we not all artistic in a way? We may not be painters or sculptors of metal and clay, but what we do can be considered artistic.
For instance, I attended a basketball tournament recently. Now, the very act of running for me is an absolute chore. My knees rebel any time I try to move them with any degree of speed.
But these athletes were artists in their own right. Dribbling the ball down the court at a frantic pace, setting up the play and lofting themselves into the air to aim the ball at the hoop.
Poetry in motion, as the saying goes.
I’ve previously mentioned that the 1974 Mustang I bought last year has undergone an extensive rebuild. Being able to observe part of that process, my respect for mechanical artistry has grown by leaps and bounds.
There is a definite creativity in figuring out ways to replace rusted metal with new materials, so the car battery won’t fall out on the street.
While in the shop, I watched technicians working on other vehicles, newer types with all the computers and such. These require a higher level of training and creativity. Even though a computer can be hooked up to an engine to diagnose issues, it takes very real human beings to ensure all the components function properly so the driver and passengers are safe.
Carpenters on a construction site, building homes, do far more than pound nails into planks of wood. They create spaces where loving families can be comfortable and share their joys, sorrows and stories.
Inventors like Thomas Edison, who turned darkness into day by laboring with his team to create electrical generators and lightbulbs, or Alexander Graham Bell, linking the world via the telephone, along with those who have designed computers and mobile technology — they are artists, too.
There is an artistry in working out how to solve basic problems in the cold vacuum of space, like the recent excursion to the dark side of the moon by a team of astronauts, who also had to deal with toilet issues in their capsule.
Each unique individual has unique artistic qualities; we should never forget that. Being created in the image of God, we are capable of our own creativity thanks to the gifts we have been given, whether it’s researching medications to treat diseases or grooming dogs that might otherwise suffer with matted fur.
It could even be making donuts in the wee hours for commuters to enjoy on their way to work — and the coffee that goes with such treats (something I’ve never been able to do, unless you like to drink mud!).
If we open our eyes, our ears, our minds and hearts, nurturing an appreciation for all these different forms of artistry, the level of respect shown to those who express themselves in what might be seen as unconventional ways will increase.
We will build community, like the early Church as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, where all worked together and shared what they had.
And, for those who might not believe they are artists: Think again! Using your gifts in service to others is art of the finest kind.
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