Fast forward to today, I finally see what once eluded me: I can blend my creative and technical identities—and live authentically.

Over a career spanning multiple countries and disciplines, I nearly gave up hope of ever achieving true synergy between my love for problem-solving through technology and my passion for storytelling through the arts.

There were moments I thought I’d found the “sweet spot.” But it wasn’t until an accident left me temporarily paralyzed that I truly understood the cost of living as if these identities were separate. I am both technologist and artist—two sides of the same coin: human creativity.

Thankfully, the world has changed. I no longer need to choose or hide. Creativity is now embraced—even integrated—into professional spaces, with recording and production studios onsite.

Creative thinking is increasingly recognized as essential—not just for wellbeing, but for commercial productivity. As tech connects us instantly, we still rely on human creativity to give meaning to what we share.

I’m talking of course about Social Media, first introduced as “Choice Computing”. Ideas and data now fly about our ears as fast as air escapes our nostrils. Yet the time it takes to create the images for content, develop and express our unique vision, hasn’t.

Our overriding desire as “Artists” is to embody, reflect and alchemize our experiences through “Storytelling” —our oldest form of connection— which remains in demand and at a subscription premium. Yet, the pace of modern life threatens the development of essential interpersonal skills.

The way we communicate, the speed, the language, the rate of exchange has changed dramatically. And with it, the incubation time essential for skills Human beings can only develop by relating personally, such as Compassion, Empathy - Communication through Creative expression.

Having developed training courses and working groups across roles for customers and colleagues alike, it was only by fully committing to my creative calling, allowing myself the time to train and live fully as Creative professional, that I came into alignment.

Because at our core, we all long for connection - to be seen and heard - to matter. This IS what is means to BE Human. And it can take a lifetime to become an “Artist” - to simple BE.

It’s no wonder, then, in true Godlike fashion we created a Tech-powered universe as a reflection of of ourselves - a tapestry of realities that is deeply subconscious.

But if time is finite and money replaceable, what of the shared primordial wellspring of creative energy?

This is the same source of human ingenuity behind scientific breakthrough cures and the empathy driving our desire for true connection that unlocks them—skills honed through the arts: Acting, Music, Writing - even Martial Arts. And yet, a growing imbalance threatens this very foundation of Human progress.

Which leads me to the critical question driving my mission:

"If creative skills drive innovation, commerce - monetized “content” across myriad tech platforms, why isn’t Artistic labor valued in kind?

And how can we hope to solve global challenges when foundational human skills—empathy and active listening—are increasingly devalued or no longer economically viable?"

I believe it’s up to us—artists, creators, and problem-solvers—to rise to this challenge.

We may not have created the imbalance, but we’ve participated in it. And now we must empower each other to know and uphold our value, in every arena.

And this is where the journey begins…