Artists, writers, musicians, dancers, or anyone in a creative field need soft hearts. They need to be able to see the beauty, the heartbreak, the story of the world with sensitivity. They need to completely feel it all. Let it soak in, and then let it out in some sort of expression.
Then these same souls have to submit their work to others for either acceptance or rejection. Is it good enough? Is it interesting to others? Will it sell? It requires nerves of steel and a tough skin when the inevitable rejections come along.
The line between that soft heart and tough skin is a tricky one to find and maintain. All I know is that I must keep trying, because creating things is what keeps me going, it is what defines me as a person that God made. So, I’m shrugging it off, laughing, and writing. It’s all part of it.
So, paint well, sing loudly, write away, dance your heart out. It is a beautiful thing.
Blessings, Lisa
P.S. Sarcastic or humorous comments welcome, as humor always helps. š
Think About These Things 
What a lovely post!! You are right!! I never thought about the need to have a soft heart, but tough skin, to be a writer or an artist of any kind; however, this would be true. Continue being who you created to be because you bring great joy to your readers!! God bless you, Lisa!
Oh so true, Lisa! Sadly, we with the tender hearts producing the sensitive arts are the ones who hurt the most with criticism, especially when it’s not true or not needed. But, if we can tough it out (talking to self here) and keep on going, the personal payback from just creating is well worth it. And if it honors God, it could even make Him smile – priceless!
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No, sarcastic or humorous comment here. Over the years I have been the victim of a lot of put downs and bulling. You would think a big person would be immune. No, I think it is the way people build themselves up by putting other people down. So I have developed a tough outer shell. I call it my alligator skin. Yet I am forever helping other people out. It is what I do. I am what I call a servant. I hope that maybe by doing so I may actually gain a friend or two. It does not work that way though. People believe that now that I have helped out there is some type of obligation that they have got to return the favor. No, it is just that it is nice to see people smile. A soft heart in there some place. Life is good most of the time though. Some folks say we are building mansions in the sky. :o)
One more thing. Some of my comments may offend folks. If that is anyone out there, I am sorry for making you feel down. It was truly not my intention.