As I sit here tonight writing this, I reflect back to just a few hours earlier in my day when I was sitting on the absolute edge of my seat, mouth hanging wide open, staring in complete awe at the wonder and spectacle that many actors, singers, dancers, contortionists and stuntmen of the traveling Greatest Show On Earth. But while their talent and abilities were jaw-dropping and astounding, it was their obvious passion and love for their craft that truly amazed me.

Sadly, however, this show will no longer continue this year due to low ticket sales and general public disinterest; this fact broke my heart. I thought about all of those talented, passionate people who have touched the lives of so many people who came over the years to see their show. What will happen to them? Where will they go? What will they do? As someone who has grown up loving and living in the arts, my greatest fear is that this may happen to other shows as well. But why is this? Why do people seem to look down on artists?

No one should have to be embarrassed or hesitate to tell someone their area of study/occupation is in the arts. No one. This view that society has on artists must change. The world is a scary, unfair and chaotic place. However, the arts can take people away from this, even if just for a moment. It is a safe-haven for people to come to and express their true emotions. A performance has the unique, God-given ability to affect its audience, and even change lives. Whether it be escaping from a painful situation in someone’s life to bringing families together, or even finding comfort in a meaningful song, the arts quietly, yet profoundly affect us all. What kind of childhood would you have had without Disney? Or without that TV show you once loved? Where would you be without the comfort of that one song that got you through that one situation in your life? Where would you be without that movie or novel that took you to far-off places, while teaching you a life lesson at the same time?

While you may not notice us or the effect we have on your life, we have been, and always will be there for you in those moments where you need inspiration, a friend, or just to be taken away from the chaos of the world for a moment. So never scoff at someone whose study or job is in the field of inspiring people, and giving them a joy they didn’t know was possible. The world needs a renewed interest in the arts because, without it, we doom ourselves to a life without that flair of passion and joy. We all need to feel that same sense of wonder that I had at the show, heart full, feeling like a child once again. Because that joy that a show produces is what real magic truly is.