My purpose for starting this blog...

Why I started this blog:

To promote awareness and inspire others to explore their creative passions

You may be thinking -

"But Kelly, not everyone has a creative side. This blog wouldn't pertain to them."

I say:

You’re WRONG.

Everyone has a creative side. I believe we are here on this earth - to 'create.' Expressing yourself creatively can help relieve depression and lead you down the path of your desires. There are countless ways to be creative. Off the top of my head I can think of:

- Painting/Drawing

- Dancing

- Singing

- Writing

- Performing

- Scrap-booking

- Designing

Really - any way you can let your unique personality shine through is a form of creative expression. The possibilities are endless! Be creative!! I dare you!

What really sparked me to promote awareness about creativity were the answers I would get from people after posing the question:

"What is your creative outlet?"

More often than not, I would receive a blank stare. They would look at me with the most confused expression, as if this was the strangest concept. I would then probe them with follow-up questions such as:

- What do you enjoy?

- What makes you smile and laugh?

- If you weren't working, what would you be doing?

- How do you express yourself? (Usually another 'blank stare' question)

Then I decided: This is a major problem.

Why is this a major problem? Because I cannot imagine my life without creative writing and dancing. Outside of work, writing and dancing is all I would focus on. Without engaging in my creative expressions, I may as well be dead.

Are you dead?

For me, writing has always been my creative outlet. Ever since I can remember I have kept a journal to record my thoughts. As of recent, writing poetry has helped me deal with pain and suffering. I also write fiction stories and have always had a passion for learning new words and their origin of meaning. Proof: I subscribe to Dictionary.com's "Word of the Day" and always look forward to checking my inbox for that daily dose of fun.

On a physical level, I express myself through dance. Talk about releasing endorphins.

On a typical workday morning - let's say around 7 a.m. - you would see me dancing like a crazy person to the popular Kenny Loggins song "Footloose." After coming home from work, having built up stress and tension you would find me getting down to the club poppin' Ludacris song "How Low."

My life is truly entertaining.

As a young child, I began taking ballet lessons. I took a few year hiatus trying gymnastics and other sports, but eventually came back to ballet. My dream as a child was to perform in "The Nutcracker." So I did. I performed in this classical ballet for 5 years. Around the same time, I became enthralled in the world of hip-hop dancing. Complete opposite of ballet but I enjoyed both just the same. I took hip-hop classes and very much enjoy learning choreography as I pick it up quickly.

Then I went to college and landed my first 'big girl' job. It wasn't until this point that I realized something was missing in my life. I started to ask myself:

"What can I do for fun?"

The word 'Dance' popped into my head, as I seemed to have partially neglected this passion whilst being wrapped up in academia for so long. Although going clubbing on the weekends and dancing for sorority functions was fun, I was ready to embark on a more disciplined and fulfilling approach to dance. This led me on an intense journey as I began taking ballroom lessons and trying to learn everything I possibly could about my re-discovered passion. Ballroom lessons taught me how to dance with a partner, whereas in ballet and hip-hop I danced on my own. Now I'm playing in a whole different ballgame.

"What - I'm supposed to follow my partner's lead?"

Talk about frustrating.

I don't 'backlead' as much as I used to, but sometimes it sure is tempting. My new-found passion is the Argentine tango. I absolutely love all Latin dances with salsa coming in a close second behind tango. Dancing the Argentine tango is one of the most intimate and challenging of the Latin dances.

In the near future, I plan to perform tango. Performing is how I truly feel expressive. I remember the feeling of waiting in the wings on stage to pirouette out for the "Waltz of the Flowers." I always felt such a rush of excitement mixed with heart-pounding nerves. That is the best feeling for me.

To summarize:

Writing and Dancing are my creative outlets. What are yours?

Please share and you will be helping me spread the good word that everyone is unique and has an innate desire to express themselves. Go on. I dare you.