You work hard - not because anyone is watching when you are not showering or sleeping in order to get it done but because it's what you need to do.

You don't care how long it took you to paint a piece

You fix details that perhaps no one else would have noticed. The Universe is watching and you want It to know you are showing up in the most authentic way possible.

You don't mind if someone who claims to know "the business" says you are "wound too tightly" . You know what it takes to get your work out there and if today is not the day you can wait.

You don't compromise your ethics, values or spirit to make someone else comfortable.

You show up everyday even if the Muse is taking her sweet time to show up or your demons are not using their "quiet voices".

You laugh at people who think you are not being responsible with your life's purpose because actually you know, more than anyone, that being responsible for your life's purpose is exactly what you are doing. And damn! It's fun.

You cheer on your fellow artists and say a prayer that their work, just as much as your own, will be seen for what it is: a soul and a voice displayed in public not to be lauded but to be respected.