The whole point is to live life and be - to use all the colors in

"The whole point is to live life and be - to use all the colors in the crayon box." These words from RuPaul are a vibrant reminder of the beauty and richness of life—urging us to embrace the full spectrum of our experience. Much like a blank canvas awaiting the stroke of a paintbrush, life offers us a multitude of colors—the joys, the struggles, the highs, and the lows—each one contributing to the masterpiece that is our existence. To live fully is to accept and celebrate every aspect of who we are, not to shy away from the parts of life that might seem difficult or unfamiliar, but to embrace them as part of the whole. RuPaul calls us to recognize that life is not about following a narrow path, but about using the full palette of our potential, letting each color shine with its own unique beauty.

In the ancient world, philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates understood that the true purpose of life was not to live passively but to live actively, in full engagement with the diverse experiences it offers. Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia, often translated as flourishing or happiness, was not about avoiding the difficult parts of life but about living virtuously through every experience—using both the light and the dark moments to cultivate a life of purpose, integrity, and joy. Similarly, Socrates encouraged his followers to live a life of deep inquiry, not merely to exist, but to become—to evolve and transform through every experience, using both knowledge and self-reflection as tools to navigate the complexities of life.

The idea of embracing life’s full spectrum is reflected in the stories of many great figures who, despite facing adversity, found joy in the very struggles they encountered. Take the life of Frida Kahlo, for example. Her art was deeply shaped by the pain she endured—her childhood illness, her accident, and the physical suffering that marked her entire existence. Yet, instead of letting that suffering define her, she used it as a source of creative energy, producing works that are vivid, bold, and intensely personal. Kahlo did not shy away from the shadows in her life; instead, she used them as colors in her artistic expression, creating a life and a legacy that has inspired generations. She showed the world that by embracing all parts of life, both light and dark, we can create something truly beautiful.

Similarly, Maya Angelou, the celebrated poet and writer, spoke of the importance of embracing every part of our lives, including the difficult moments. In her own journey, she experienced trauma, hardship, and loss, yet her words—filled with hope, strength, and resilience—speak to the power of living fully, embracing every experience as a lesson and a stepping stone on the path to becoming one's truest self. Angelou once said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” This captures the very essence of RuPaul's message: life’s colors—the struggles and the joys—are essential to the transformation we undergo as we grow and evolve.

Yet, RuPaul’s wisdom calls us not to only embrace the difficult moments but to celebrate the full range of our experiences—just as an artist embraces both the light and the dark hues in their palette. Life is about exploring, expressing, and creating without fear of judgment or rejection. We are all artists in the workshop of our lives, shaping our futures with every choice, every action, and every thought. It is easy to become trapped in the notion that success or fulfillment requires a linear path or a uniform experience, but RuPaul urges us to challenge that notion, to instead embrace the diversity of our individual journeys.

The lesson from RuPaul’s words is clear: life is about more than just surviving—it is about thriving and engaging with every aspect of the journey. Whether through the highs or the lows, we must embrace the colors of life with courage, grace, and joy. To live fully is to celebrate every part of ourselves, not just the parts we deem pleasant or easy but the parts that challenge us, that push us to grow and transform. This journey, with all its twists and turns, is what makes life rich, vibrant, and full of meaning.

In our own lives, we must take RuPaul's advice to heart. Do not settle for a life in black and white—embrace every color, every moment, and every experience. Step into the fullness of who you are and use the challenges, the joys, and the hardships as the paint with which you will create your unique masterpiece. Life, like art, is not just about the destination, but about the process—about fully engaging with each moment, appreciating the vast array of experiences that shape us into who we are. Let us be bold in our pursuit of living fully, in using all the colors in the crayon box to create a life that is rich, authentic, and full of love.