Feb 19 2013: I cannot speak for those who are gifted, because the definition of gifted to me is someone that is a high scholar in which I am not.
However, I am a creative individual and I am currently fighting the challenge against my family which is success within happiness. I come from an Asian background and at first I didn't think my family was that stereotypical until I started standing up for my own happiness of pursuing something I enjoy. By stereotypical I mean they expect me to follow the route of medicine or business. I received comments such as "It's time to be a grown up", "You'll never make any money doing that", "That's not a real career", "Passion doesn't take you anywhere", "It's too late" and "It's stupid to spend money on stuff like that".
Another challenge I run into is criticism. Instead of beneficial criticism, I'm often fed opinions that I should change my art work to something that's more "appropriate". To me that's difficult because that would mean I need to change my emotions, my mentality and literately myself - it's not that easy. I had the harshest criticism so far from one of my parents who told me to stop creating "funny stuff" and to throw away some of my art work.
Which leads to my next challenge.. Myself. I really had to sit down and question everything constantly. Should I be shaping myself according to what everyone says is right? Or should I become my own unique individual and express who I really am? Is it disrespectful of me not to listen to my elders? Is it disrespectful of them to not accept me and support me?
I had to figure out who I really was and what I was all about and not be my past but be the future I want. Gaining the confidence to put my foot down against those around who disagreed with my decisions, my creativity, my expression, and overall myself. Finding my own voice.It literately feels like you're fighting a lonesome battle against an entire army but it's become such a euphoric feeling I must say!
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A comment on Conversation: What are the challenges that gifted and creative individuals face at present?
However, I am a creative individual and I am currently fighting the challenge against my family which is success within happiness. I come from an Asian background and at first I didn't think my family was that stereotypical until I started standing up for my own happiness of pursuing something I enjoy. By stereotypical I mean they expect me to follow the route of medicine or business. I received comments such as "It's time to be a grown up", "You'll never make any money doing that", "That's not a real career", "Passion doesn't take you anywhere", "It's too late" and "It's stupid to spend money on stuff like that".
Another challenge I run into is criticism. Instead of beneficial criticism, I'm often fed opinions that I should change my art work to something that's more "appropriate". To me that's difficult because that would mean I need to change my emotions, my mentality and literately myself - it's not that easy. I had the harshest criticism so far from one of my parents who told me to stop creating "funny stuff" and to throw away some of my art work.
Which leads to my next challenge.. Myself. I really had to sit down and question everything constantly. Should I be shaping myself according to what everyone says is right? Or should I become my own unique individual and express who I really am? Is it disrespectful of me not to listen to my elders? Is it disrespectful of them to not accept me and support me?
I had to figure out who I really was and what I was all about and not be my past but be the future I want. Gaining the confidence to put my foot down against those around who disagreed with my decisions, my creativity, my expression, and overall myself. Finding my own voice.It literately feels like you're fighting a lonesome battle against an entire army but it's become such a euphoric feeling I must say!
Hope that helped!