Disabilities or imperfections either make or break a person. Phil Hansen did it best when he followed the advice to “Embrace the Shake.” Those who have a “shake” in their lives can either use their limitation for inspiration or lose out to their limitation. The in-class videos this week taught us all a thing or two about what is possible. 

Hansen began his artistic journey using dots. Millions of little dots to make incredible pieces of art. But then his disability ended that dream. But instead of doing one of life’s u turns, he went around what life dealt him, and now he is world renowned for his creativity. He used a revolving wheel and words out of other people’s stories. He employed his hand to karate chop a canvas over and over to make the shape of a man practicing karate. And in “Goodbye Art,” he made a time lapse video in which he recreated an image of Jimi Hendrix using the red, black, and white tops of matches and then set it on fire in order to destroy art rather than create it. 

Imperfections appearance wise can also hurt us not through our own eyes but through the eyes of others, not being skinny enough, being too muscular, or having the wrong face shape. Misty Copeland was a victim of being told no in the ballet industry because she was too imperfect. Rather than backing down from the challenge she became one of the first black women to be represented by the American Ballet Center (ABT)- one out of three of the best ballet companies in the US!

The lesson today was more than just creative limitations pushing the boundaries of creativity or standing up against what is perceived as impossible, it was also an inspirational lesson for everyday life. When life throws challenges, the strong will find ways to use those challenges as strengths to accomplish more than what they originally dreamed.  And when we need to veer off the path we envisioned or take a right or left turn, our new direction might just lead us to a better destination.