Unexpected Moments in Fan Mail
Being an artist can be really frustrating at times. You may have worked hard on a piece of art, only to find that it is not being recognized or appreciated the way you wanted it to be. It can feel discouraging and disheartening as an artist when your work isn't getting your desired attention.
I experienced this feeling firsthand. I was struggling to make my mark in the art world and felt like I was spinning my wheels in obscurity. Then out of the blue, I received an email from a complete stranger in Germany. It was filled with words of encouragement, telling me that they had seen my work and admired it greatly and how they wished it had gotten the attention they felt it deserved.
Amid gratitude for receiving such a kind email, I noticed their email address was quite familiar. It was a Chamorro phrase I had been wanting to use for setting up my admin email address for the "Everyday Chamorro" language program. After a few phone calls and Zoom chats, I asked this person if they would be open to me purchasing the email address from them. This had nothing to do with my art, but we had shared quite a bit about projects we were working on, and the Chamorro language project was certainly one of them.
To my surprise, they not only agreed but also offered to be one of the first people to sign up as a volunteer tester for the project! Part of me felt a bit nervous about releasing the program. I had previously run a Chamorro language and culture blog, only to get inundated with bizarre threats, insults, and slander by a group of dudebros from Guam who wanted the language spotlight for themselves. It’s a strange, strange world, but the misogyny - and classism, nepotism, etc. - in the Chamorro language and culture sphere is real.
After months of hard work and dedication in creating a language program on my own, it is now being used by many people not only in the Marianas but throughout the world. However, it was this kind of email that reminded me that this project was more important than the abuse I had been subjected to in the past for simply sharing knowledge online for free. It was the catalyst that helped me hit “publish,” and now “Everyday Chamorro” is live on my course site.
It just goes to show what can happen when you keep working hard and don't give up on your dreams, even when it gets tough. You never know what unexpected opportunities might come your way, and sometimes a simple email of encouragement can be just the push you need to get there. More importantly, it’s a reminder that even if you have a platoon of haters out there, it’s the brigade of supporters that keep us going.
So if you're a creative feeling discouraged by the lack of recognition for your work, never forget that someone out there may have noticed it but simply hasn't reached out yet. The naysayers are obnoxious and seemingly everywhere, but they do nothing to help you get over the finish line - unless you’re driven by pure revenge. That’s okay, too.
Keep striving to make your mark and be open to the unique opportunities that can arise from unexpected sources. It could be just the boost you need to reach your goals. After all, life is unpredictable and full of surprises—and sometimes you may end up with an opportunity far greater than what you expected! Who knows, maybe some stranger's email of encouragement can make all the difference.
