hero – Page 2 – The Consulting Artist

Heroes – Gandhi

Today’s Heroes post is by Claire Boyles. Claire has added a delightful twist to this series by kindly contributing her own original artwork as well as a great story and some great questions. I’m getting loads of feedback from people who are really enjoying this series, I am too.

Be The Change

So simple, so profound a statement, and probably the cause, inspiration and motivation of countless individuals across the planet that HAVE become the change that they wanted to see. For me, Gandhi was the embodiment of that phrase. I admire him so much, to stand against what he knew to be unjust, in the face of real physical danger, not only to himself but also his family and friends. That takes great courage; “Be The Change” is something that is at the very core of my own life values.

“It was during his first year back in India that Gandhi was given the honorary title of Mahatma (“Great Soul”). Many credit Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the 1913 Nobel Prize for Literature, for both awarding Gandhi of this name and of publicizing it. The title represented the feelings of the millions of Indian peasants who viewed Gandhi as a holy man. However, Gandhi never liked the title because it seemed to mean he was special while he viewed himself as ordinary.” Extract from Biography of Gandhi by Jenifer Rosenburg.

It is this view of himself, as an ordinary man, just one of the population that made him so powerful, because he led by example, by the choices he made he WAS the change, and he showed others that it was possible, that they too could BE the change that they wished to see. The things Gandhi did were acts of non violent protest against what he saw to be injustice, and led, against all odds to India gaining independence from British rule. He inspired others to take simple (not easy) actions.

What does “Be the Change” mean to you though? For me, it’s a reminder to take personal responsibility, if I experience something I don’t like, I have the power to change it- either create something better, or move away from it; non participation.

My childhood wasn’t idyllic, far from it. As a result, I wasn’t particularly impressed with what the world had to offer me. I saw much pain and suffering, in people around me, in our own “western” society, but also the starving and oppressed millions and billions around the planet. As a young adult, I felt I didn’t want to be part of that. One day in my early twenties I had an epiphany; if I wanted to change the world, which I most definitely did then one way of changing the world was by changing ME, because I am part of the world. I’m only a small part, but every single human is a part of what makes our society; it is our individual choices that affect it as a whole.

The changes I made were focused on making myself happy, healthy and wealthy, on becoming a responsible member of society, so that I could be part of changing it to the positive. I went from being homeless, unemployed and unemployable to creating a career in HR, working for some of the biggest companies in the world, buying my own home, and 3 years ago setting up my own business.

I haven’t quite had the same level of impact on the world that Gandhi has had, not yet at least but it’s not over yet…

How can you “Be The Change” in your own life? It doesn’t have to be huge grand actions; it’s the small lasting changes that create the most effect in our lives. Remember, the way to move a mountain is one shovel at a time. What shovels can you move today?

What changes do you want?

What one positive action could you take that contributes towards creating that change?

Heroes – Mrs Van Gogh

Our Heroes guest series continues today with a powerful tale from Katie, aka HRHopeful. I’ve been to the building from whence this tale emerged and it is well worth a visit. Not before reading this though, take it away Katie…

On seeing Doug’s invitation to write about a hero I jumped in. There are tons of people I admire and look up to; but when I really started to think about it I realised…none of them are actually heroes to me. They are people that have done remarkable things with their lives but not necessarily heroic.

I didn’t want to let him down so I took a moment to reflect on what would be considered an heroic act, and I was drawn to an experience I had not very long ago in Amsterdam……in an art gallery!

My husband had suggested that we visit the Van Gogh museum, now I wasn’t thrilled by the prospect. In truth I’m not a fan of art galleries; it’s something about the enforced silence, and the shuffling around like herds of cattle desperately seeking a connection or emotive reaction to a canvas. I prefer photography, I like what I’m looking at to be real, truthful – that’s where I find my emotional connection. But, I love my husband and therefore conceded.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the experience. The gallery was split into ‘life’ sections so you learnt all about the different periods of Van Gogh’s life. The time when all he drew were peasants, trying to capture their souls on canvas, his move to Paris and his friendship with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, his unfortunate deterioration in health and his move to Saint-Remy to seek medical attention. The paintings were (mostly) beautiful, but it was the story that captured me.

All throughout there was a common thread about Vincent’s relationship with his brother Theo. They were obviously very close and throughout their lives wrote endless letters to each other. It was extremely touching, and reminded me of my own sibling relationship.

The last section dealt with Van Gogh’s death at age 37, after seeing some of his last paintings I turned a corner in the gallery and was confronted with a mammoth canvas showing the above photo.

Theo Van Gogh died six months after his brother and was originally buried elsewhere. His wife Johanna Bonger had his body exhumed and moved to be with his brother.

Johanna is my hero, because in that moment in an overcrowded (but oddly silent) art gallery I had an emotional connection. Her actions were purely out of love and understanding. She put her own needs aside in order to ‘do the right thing’. She then tirelessly worked to ensure that Vincent was recognised for the amazing artist he was.

In work we can so often be told to think about ‘the bigger picture’, ensure we ‘think strategically’ but sometimes it’s just about doing the right thing; putting our own agendas to one side for a moment.

So perhaps one day a stranger will read your story and have an emotional connection with your actions…that’s what makes a hero.

Heroes – Debbie Chrissie and Annie

Here’s the latest in our Heroes series of blog posts. Today’s guest author is Ailsa Suttie, and she’s kept her thoughts short and sweet. I appreciate the simplicity of this post and the lovely personal nature of the whole series. If you fancy taking part, get in touch and tell us about your hero, it’s as simple as that. Take it away Ailsa:

Debbie, for beauty, for talent, for giving me a direction when I didn’t know I needed one. For giving me the confidence to unleash my vocal chords on the frightened citizens of Glasgow.

Chrissie, for inspiring me, for being part of my art school portfolio, and for opening my teenage eyes to the fact that it’s ok to go up front and stand out.

Annie, for daring, for challenging, for breaking ground and for continuing to do so today.