Making our Mark on the World • by Chrysti Hydeck

Yesterday, I was deeply saddened to hear that a young woman I follow on a photo social network lost her battle to cancer. It was quite a shock as most of the community thought she was getting better and a devastating blow to those that loved her. As I have reflected on her passing, I am most struck by the mark she made on the world and how her creativity was such a part of it.

Her photos weren’t necessarily the most creative and they weren’t the best technically speaking. From a photo snob perspective, they were often simply snapshots, random moments of her life that she took the time to share with the community … but they were absolutely beautiful in every way.

Love, Light & Life
You see, it is an age-old reminder that beauty comes most often from within. That attitude is far more important to life than perfecting skills and shows that when you fill your world with love, light and life — people respond. I can’t think of a time I saw her publically complain through chemotherapy, but I can think of many occasions that she shared her joys and the community rejoiced in it.

Her “snapshots” went far deeper than aesthetics. They were glimpses of a life, glimpses of joy, glimpses of hope, glimpses of the people and pets she loved most, and glimpses of kindness. The words she shared with each photo painted the picture and brought it to life. I will remember her as someone who lived a life with courage and grace and took the time to share that part of herself with virtual strangers … probably never realizing that her proverbial candle, lit oh-so-many others.

I barely knew her and yet a part of me is changed because of her.

A Common Connecting Thread
Remember this next time you are fretting over that journal page that doesn’t quite look the way you want it to or when you aren’t sure if you should share that photo that is slightly less than stellar. Remind yourself that a creative life has everything to do with making something out of nothing and very little to do with skill. Creativity is simply one of the common threads that connects our stories and allows our lives to intertwine. It’s YOUR voice, YOUR story … choose how you’ll be remembered with every creative act you make. Let your mark to the world be more about who YOU are … and have the courage to let your art, whatever it may be, reflect that.

To learn more about Chrysti Hydeck, visit alwayschrysti.com/always-chrysti or christyhydeck.com.