Close your eyes and imagine this… No wait! Open your eyes and read this. You’re an artist. You have unbelievable talent. You’re portfolio is unprecedented and your use of colors is unmatched. The words that flow from your pen illuminate unimaginable worlds that future leaders will attempt to construct. Your music inspires woodland creatures to join in chorus. Your art makes hearts stop, children laugh, and elders cry tears of joy.

This is the age of absolute opportunity for artists and creative thinkers to share their work with the world. There has never been a greater time to reach so many people. The doors are wide open and all you have to do is step through them. Creative people have an unfair advantage over everyone else. We have the ability to find unique ways to bring life to our art. All we have to do is dream, create, and share. And here are the top ten reasons why you should be doing exactly that.

1. Dreaming. Everyone loves to dream. I dream all the time. Day and night. Dreaming helps us escape from daily monotony and dreary politics. Dreaming stimulates our creative minds and opens up new possibilities and new thought processes that can change the world. Dreaming is creating.

2. Creating. Since dreaming is creating, I suppose creating is dreaming, right? Possibly. Creating is the ultimate human experience. We create masterpieces, symphonies, societies, cultures, and life. We create some form of art every day of our lives. We just have to open our eyes to recognize it.

3. Sharing. …is caring, right? Even if we dream for selfish reasons that lead to creating something for ourselves – there is no greater joy than sharing it with someone else. We innately seek out approval, acceptance and compliments. We can’t get this if we don’t share a little bit of ourselves or our art.

4. Doing. You can’t dream, create and share if you don’t do anything. You could be the most incredible artist of all times, but if you don’t actually “do” then nothing will be “done” and no one will know you existed. So “do” often and with exuberant frequency so that we can all know you are one of action. (and have a pulse)

5. Didn’t I just stress the importance of dreaming? Dreams drive us and move us. They flow through us like a river of life-giving inspiration. Our lives are built upon our dreams. Your future relies wholeheartedly upon them. Dream of doing and then make it so.

6. Your art is your life and the manifestation of thoughts and visions and dreams. Flowing from you is an incredible gift not only to you, but to the world around you. Without your art, you would not be you. Without you – there would be no art. How will we know you if you don’t share your art?

7. The world’s a stage and we are all performers; some good; some bad: but all a part of the same theater company called life. It’s our duty as creative individuals to make our work available to the world. We have an opportunity to break through global barriers in this golden age of social networking. Our art can reach people all over the world, so long as we “do” and “share”.

8. It’s not just a pretty picture or an interesting song. We want to know more about you, more about your process. We want to see inside your brain. The days of the enigmatic, impersonal, eccentric artist are passing. The world wants to know you are just like everyone else, but with a kick. Share your thoughts and dreams with your neighbors.

9. Don’t just sell your art. Remember what it’s truly about. Give away your art. (But not for free) Don’t be afraid to post, tweet and update your world, your work – to everyone. If you hide from everyone, fearing they will steal your work or ideas – they probably will. But if you stand atop a mountain and declare, “This is my art!” – Well, then we will all admire you and say, “Look at their art!”

10. Without your dreaming, creating and sharing – the world would be a truly barren desert. No matter what your level of skill, position or part you take in the world, artist or not; your dreams are important to our life together on this planet. The creations you share (whether thought out or spontaneous) will build our future. Without these three simple things, your voice is simply a whisper.

Remember: grow; learn; conserve; preserve; create; question; educate; change; and free your mind.

About: Kelli Klymenko is an artist, a faculty member and the Marketing & Events Coordinator at Sedona Arts Center: a gathering place where artists can learn, teach, and exhibit their works at the center’s School of the Arts and Fine Art Gallery in uptown Sedona.