Art comes in different shapes and forms: paintings, drawings, statues, photography, movies, writing and even jewelry, clothes, shoes we wear.  We do not need to be artists to be creative.  In everyday lives, we create in unexpected ways:  the way we dress, cook, walk, the way we present ourselves.  We are creators of our lives.  We are masters of our destiny.

There is so much art everywhere if we look more closely.  Nature is the best example.  The sky is ever-changing masterpiece.  The way sunlight hits the water can take our breath away.  Even a simple leaf has so much detail, patterns and structures in it – it’s nature’s true design.  The key to art is to see what is around us, to be a seer, a feeler, to have an expanded vision.

A true art, whether seen or created, has to be felt within the heart.  It is a major first ingredient that textbooks or instruction manuals never tell.  We can have the state of the art equipment.  If we will not follow our hearts in creating, if we will not put our feelings in it, the work will be mediocre and unaffecting.

The second ingredient to a true art is imagination.  Seeing art in unexpected places takes a broad vision.  This capture above is taken on the rainy day.  It is reflection of traffic lights on the street.  Below are the shadow of blinds in the room.  Seeing ordinary in extraordinary ways can make the whole world of difference.  Art can be captured in unusual angle, in a special light, in details easily missed.

It might take a special eye and imagination to put an exquisite design together, or to dress according the personality and mood.  We are all artists in different ways.  It is an expression for who we are and wish to be.

The third ingredient to a true art is a meaning.  It might be something from our past experiences, something we imagine, something we wish that grabs our hearts and souls.  It gives a sparkle in our eyes.  It makes our souls sing and inspires us.  It might be something simple as capturing a certain movement, a special Aha moment, a wondrous look.  It is a picture of  life the way we see it.

A heart, imagination and meaning are the three major ingredients in creating and seeing a true art.  Having this magical formula, what can we create and see for ourselves?  Using our expanded vision, what can we make out of our lives?  What in it that we can touch, see, smell, feel?  Life is our creative process.  What is our inner vision?

For artistic inspiration, unusual imagination, and exquisite design, you can visit these sites:

Unusual Shoes,

exquisite jewelry design,

lifestyle like nothing like it,

paintings from the heart.

Most of us are usually the followers.  We want to be like somebody.  We want to fit in in the crowd.  If we differ in something, we think something is wrong with us.  How can we be different, why can’t we be like everyone else?  What we do not realize is that by thinking like this, we put ourselves in the box.  We become average people, looking average way, doing average things – we become like everybody.

Actually, not fitting in – is not a bad thing.  That means, we are different.  We have our unique personality, unique style – we are our unique ourselves.  Instead of hiding our uniqueness, we should celebrate it.  Being different is a gift.  Being different opens up all the new doors.  When we stand out from the crowd, we get different opportunities that no average person will ever get:  from getting a job to having a successful business to having a great life simply by being ourselves.

Think about it.  Do you know how many job applications employer gets?  Many applications and resumes never even get read.  How many businesses there are selling the same things? Do you know how many average people there are having routine jobs they hate, and never differentiate showing the actual talents they have because they are afraid to be different?  Unfortunately, many.

If we look for a job, we usually do it backwards.  We look for any job that pays.  Then, we get stuck with it, hate it, but we can tell ourselves, “Well, at least it pays the bills and we get benefits.” We get a job and we adjust to it.

The better way would be to look at our passions and skills, our gifts, our strengths and look for the job accordingly.  This way we will stand out and we will enjoy our jobs.  Employer will see right away the enthusiasm we have and how much we can contribute to the company.

Next, we got to promote ourselves.  Going for the job is like a sales job.  You are selling yourself.  If you would be an employer, would you hire yourself?  Stand out from the crowd:

1.  Learn about the job and industry.

2.  Go talk to employees to find out important people’s names, insider information like new positions opening up.  Also, when talking to them see if they are happy with the company.  If most of them are not, that means the company does not treat people right.  Look at other options, if you get a bad feeling.

3.  Always trust your instincts.

4.  If you need to learn some needed skills, sign up for classes.  Find out details what company and employer needs and show them what you can offer.

5.  Show employer you’re enthusiastic.  Attitude is everything.

6.  Most importantly, be yourself.  Be confident in your skills and who you are.

Now, if you have your own business, how to stand out?  As I mentioned before, there are so many ordinary businesses offering ordinary products we can find anywhere.  Some businesses even steal other business ideas or product lines to be more competitive.  Their mentality is, “if competition can sell these items, why can’t we?  We even can sell for lower price.”  Some owners even sneak to competitor’s supply trucks to steal supplier’s names.  What they do not realize is that in long run, they not only ruin competitor’s business, they ruin themselves.  They want to be ordinary and copy others.

The same, like with a job, if you go to business just to make money, the business will never survive and you’ll be miserable in the process.  Now, if you utilize your gifts and skills, and you’re passionate what you’re doing, you not only enjoy what you’re doing, but your customers will see that through you.  To stand out, you got to offer something unique:  product or service that nobody has.  People love different things, something that is out-of-ordinary.  One real great example is Dalia Koss at daliakoss.com.  Dalia makes the most extraordinary jewelry.  In 5 years of business, she never runs out of her creativity.  She makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and never makes the same.  Not only she dazzles customers with her creations, but she gives the best service.  She will match customer with a necklace, what will look good.  She even transforms a non-jewelry wearer to one who never leaves home without her jewelry.  Dalia creates magic with her shop and she is passionate what she does.  That’s a true example of standing out from the crowd.

Photo courtesy of daliakoss.com

When you’re passionate about your talents and who you are, you naturally stand out from the crowd.  This becomes your way of living – being passionate for life.  It transforms in everything you do.  It becomes your lifestyle.  Another great example is Markus Urban in living on impulse.  Markus’ lifestyle represents his way of being.  He is curious about everything, travels all over the world, takes on adventures and inspires people on the way.  Markus does not let anything stop him from achieving what he wants.  He has a great outlook on life, and he turns his dreams into reality.  He is go-getter and inspires people by being him.  Many people ask, “How does he do it?”  He always finds the way – and that’s his way of life.  He stands out from the crowd by being him.

Both Dalia Koss and Markus Urban are my family.  I’m so proud of them, and they are the biggest inspiration in my life.  I love them with all my heart.  They inspired me to write this article.

To sum it up, to be extraordinary rather than ordinary and to stand out from the crowd, we got to:

1. Use our talents, gifts, passions at work and life;

2.  Be different than everybody else;

3.  Believe in ourselves, and most importantly, be ourselves.

There is nobody like us, and we should utilize it to our advantage.