Each of us has the potential to open our hearts and engage in a compassionate, fulfilling life. For artists, this openness is key to connecting with your audience. You are unique in the market because of your special story, so you need to be open enough to share it! Your story resonates with your customers because they want to share your joy.

Learning how to stay open, even when times are tough, can improve the quality of our lives and our businesses. Here are four ways you can become and stay open:

1. Be focused. A personal mantra can be an essential tool that keeps you on track and reminds you what is important when things are difficult. Find a mantra that resonates with you and repeat it to yourself when times are tough.

2. Be happy. We all have the potential for happiness, but often allow our fears and anxieties to get in the way of achieving it. Making the choice to accept happiness is possible by letting go of the habitual traps that make us feel bad.

3. Be present in the moment. If you are always analyzing what you should have done or what you want to do, then you are not open to what this moment holds. With an open and attentive heart, you can make conscious and mindful decisions about your life.

4. Be compassionate. Everyone experiences love, fear and loss. At our most basic, we are more alike than different. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Be patient and loving with others and most importantly, with yourself.

By Shawn Carney | Shawn Carney Art