Lessons from Frida

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.” Frida Kahlo

That is exactly why I love this woman’s work! So many people feel like that someone she so eloquently describes to feel bizarre and flawed as she did. I know I do. Her fire for life was undeniable; it still jumps out from beyond the canvas and paint. She lived with so much passion, in all circumstances.

She experienced physical and emotional pain throughout her life. I won’t go into detail about it all but I urge you to do some research on her life. Here is a good place to start http:// http://www.fridakahlo.it/en/biografia.php

She refused to live as a ‘cripple’ and wanted to be as independent as everyone else. She had polio as a child and was in a terrible accident that left her permanently scarred. In the movie, this scene is one of the most beautiful ones. It almost seems like the accident left her with what should be negative and totally debilitating but instead she turned it around. That is why she still inspired us all. Her circumstances didn’t limit her, she didn’t allow them to. Even though she was in pain and heartbroken she still painted. She threw her emotions on the canvas and it became tangible for the viewer. Our fellow blogger Yve, has posted about her painting and it’s beautifully inspiring. So much colour and life; please lookout for her work. Her passion, talent and sheer dedication toward the arts is reminiscent of Frida.

Creativity is an outpouring of our soul. Creatives cannot stop themselves from ‘getting it out’. If we don’t, we die to something sacred inside. This weekend I realised what a huge responsibility it is for us to give of ourselves when we have received talent. People need to hear, see, read and experience what we have inside because we are all connected. Our experiences are so often shared. As someone that was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I have wondered what the link is with between creativity and the disorder. Well, go and search mental illnesses and every single famous artist. Then you decide for yourself if there is in fact a link. Frida Kahlo had severe depressive episodes and it is said that she suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder to bipolar disorder to dissociative identity disorder.

Here’s a link that will lead you to her work – http:// http://www.fridakahlo.it/en/frida_paintings.php

So what is the lesson I take from Frida? LIVE!  Live like there is no tomorrow. Live in the now and pour out life wherever you go. In whichever way you can.