We’re Created to Create

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

I was suffering from a lack of confidence. You know, the situation when you commit to something and later ask “What was I thinking?”

A few years ago I took the girls to a concert at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State Campus. It was held in their large amphitheater where we sat in the front row next to some very accommodating people. I was taken by the acoustics as the instruments’ tones blended with the voices creating an inspiring listening experience. Wow, what a great place this would be to present, I thought. Little did I know that my daydream of performing on that stage would come true.

I slowly nudged my chin-controlled chair onto the large, magnificent stage with a few hundred teens waiting in eager anticipation. I had been granted the keynote address for the Teen Summit and boy, did I take advantage of the incredible setting. The sound effects that I could make were great; it was truly enjoyable.

As I shared, the kids laughed and cried. For an emotionless guy, it was a moving experience, to say the least. I imparted to them my thoughts on positive outlooks: your attitude determines your direction. Keep the faith and stay focused in spite of the negative that bombards us daily. We can change things to ignite the positive.

So what did I fear, you ask? It was what followed the speech: a workshop. Ron Heagy was scheduled to teach 25 teens how to paint a picture in one hour. This was way out of my comfort zone. Even though I had agreed to the workshop, I felt like maybe it wasn’t such a good idea, after all.

However, thanks to my team, Ashley and Ann, I was able to overcome my doubts and ultimately found the experience to be exhilarating, particularly after seeing the students’ finished product. Through art, there are things that can be revealed about a person that you would have not been able to see with your eyes. I saw an inner beauty expressed through their creations. It all just happened to reinforce my speech. Many of them had never painted before, but I did not hear any of them say, “I can’t paint.” Maybe because their instructor was using only his teeth?

We now have 25 new artists in this world all because I overcame my fear. Why don’t you and I take on something new today? Life can get mundane and boring if we don’t put ourselves out there and try something new. Let’s get moving, we were created to create!

To your inspiration,

Ron