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Interview with Shirley Esala
Meet fairy-tale loving artist, Shirley Esala ~
I'm a loner. I was always quiet and shy in school. I always had a vivid imagination...I did arts and crafts...I'm really fascinated with fairy tales - make up my own.
Shirley told me that she continues to love fairy tales - and storytelling. She now makes up and tells stories to her grandchildren.
...art class was my favorite and best class. In Senior year we had an art exhibit. I decided I was going to win. I did oil painting, I painted a picture of The Imperial Palace. I spent hours on the bricks in the bridge. I won! The picture is hanging at my daughter's home.
If you talk to me in person you wouldn't think it, but I'm stubborn. I can stand up for myself.
I think I started to realize that I could stand up for myself because I had to take care of my Mom and Dad...I did some work when my husband got laid off ... I took a job at a grocery store as a sample person. That opened me up - talking to people - and I keep growing. I can talk to anyone one on one.
Another thing - I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic Disorder 12 years ago. I didn't want to leave home. I wanted to go on vacation, but didn't think I could go to a hotel or stay far from home.
I worked on myself by journaling, looking into spiritual things in my life. I found comfort in places here and there and that helped me through it. I'd go into a religious bookstore and ask: "Which one of you books wants to talk to me?" then I'd look till one book caught my attention.
I also went to therapy for awhile. It wasn't typical therapy - I would tell the therapist what I wanted to do.
... I don't like people to tell me I should doÊthis or that.
And The Da Vinci Code. It's really good...both the book and movie keep you on the edge of your seat.
I also have a collection of how-to's - mixed media, painting, art.
Shirley calls it "gumption". Whatever you call it, it looks good. Shirley is skillful in making plans and going for them. She's used her "gumption" (what looks like stick-to-it-ness) to make art, work through her anxiety issues in order to travel, and even in therapy.
Shirley is also pragmatic. The ability to be practical - to decide what she wants and how to get there - supports her in reaching her goals. My favorite example of Shirley's pragmatism is how she befriended the tough kids in school - just in case.
Knowing what you want, figuring out how to get it, and then working toward it - sticking with your plan no matter what gets in the way - all these require courage.
Knowing what you want involves a lot of soul searching. To get the strength to keep moving toward your goal no matter what gets in your way you have to keep searching until you know what you want. That takes courage - and time.
When you start figuring out the steps to achieve your goal you become vulnerable. You can't pretend that it doesn't matter - you've committed yourself - you've let yourself know: "I WANT this!" - more courage is needed.
And then sticking with your plans, using the attitude Shirley showed when she said: "I'm going to do this and no one is stopping me." - requires even more courage - steadfastness.
Shirley inspires me - I love her courage, I want to slow down enough to learn to be pragmatic, and mostly I'm hoping to remember to take the time to really know my goals - to be sure that I know what I want - because then I'll follow through on them.
Thanks, Shirley!
Here are Shirley's favorite books: