The true definition of art is as follows: “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Italics are mine for a specific reason: the word typically refers to being common or usual, but it doesn’t say “it’s always this way, no matter what”. I like that, because my chosen career field, psychology, is an art form. If you compare it to an aesthetic art form, such as painting or dance, it doesn’t hold up in the same way. However, the human mind is so incredibly intricate and complex that the study of it should be regarded as pure art.

In psychology, there are no certainties. We hear a phrase and are called to challenge it, not merely accept it. Our ability to doubt things is put to the test and every time something changes, we need to ask why it did. What was wrong with it to begin with? Maybe nothing. Maybe people changed, culture changed, or someone realized it wasn’t valid anymore. Regardless, we’re taught to challenge every concept that walks through the door.

Because of this, I want to say this: people are not theoretical concepts we can pick apart. They, we, are beautiful creatures of God who are messed up and gorgeous - which is why psychology is an art form. When you study paintings, you’re studying art. When you’re studying humans, you’re studying art.

Meaning, which is attributed to everything that exists, resides in humans, not in words or artwork itself. Humans, because they are art, have meaning attributed to them all the time. My best friends are incredible people, as are all the people in my life. Their value rests in God, but them existing does not in and of itself give them meaning. However, I give them meaning because it resides within myself for them. They have talent, they’re loyal, they are hilarious and they mean the world to me. That meaning comes from me.

Meaning is trapped within people and people give it out to what they believe deserves it, mainly people and things that are valued in their lives. Psychology studies people, it studies meaning, and it studies the beauty that is humankind. Think about the people closest to you in your life. They are so beautiful and flawed and worth everything. They are artwork and I want to study who they are as artwork so I can know God's artwork even better.