The Enhanced Community Quarantine has done a lot of things to most of us. It has disrupted what we knew as “normal,” and came up with a new version of it.
We have transpired from what we normally do – work from home, schoolwork among others, just to pass the time away. I was able to see different social media accounts filled with artworks, song covers, and dance videos. People are starting to spend their time on the things they are passionate about.
It’s heartwarming to see an engineer posting his photographs again – his last photos linking back to his college days; a nurse creating a painting of a medical worker sleeping with the Philippine flag in honor of our frontliners – the artwork created with the use of syringes; a media practitioner posting acting videos on TikTok with his original concepts; a medical student uploading a one-man-band cover of an OPM song; a law student writing her prose and poetry once again and posting them online.
Growing up, I was told to choose a stable career; to dream big but not too much; to go for a course that could give me a bright future; and that only the brave risk-takers pursue their art.
I’ve chosen to chase after my dreams, but I saw how the people in my life traded their cameras and equipment for blueprints, their guitars for stethoscopes, their paintbrushes for syringes, and used their pens for writing notes instead of their usual prose.
I saw how one person called himself a fallen artist for letting go of his music.
I saw how one person who used to be so passionate about his art suddenly loses the zeal and enthusiasm for it.
I saw how a friend gave up what he really wanted to do because he needed a job to provide for his family.
And if this pandemic taught me anything, it is to never let go of my passion even if it is far from the path I took. It is to never let go of the gifts God has given me because it is mine to treasure and nurture.
A friend once told me that your purpose is where your passion and career meet.
So, my dear friends, continue to write, draw, paint, dance, sing, and make music. Continue to do the things you are passionate about.
Remember, you are not the fallen artist you thought you were. Hold on to your God-given talents and never lose your light to make a difference.
