We recently connected with Miko Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Miko, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
The word resilience for me signifies toughness. A certain type of internal wherewithal or strength. I think we are born with a certain amount of resilience and then use and practice strengthens that innate supply. My earliest memory of being a bounce back type of person took place in an unlikely venue, a place called Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, Illinois. I couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 years old when my family and I embarked upon this adventure to Kiddieland. Upon arrival at the park we were all given instructions in the parking lot about times and places where we would meet up for snacks and lunch. After getting our hands stamped we entered the park and the first ride we approached was The Polyp (although we called it The Lobster). This was a green ride with massive arms that raised and lowered you at a quick pace all while spinning you in circles. The sight of the ride made me nervous and I was secretly praying that no one would want to get on this monstrosity. My prayer ultimately fell on deaf ears and I was soon arranging myself in the seat and waiting for the operator to check the flimsy metal bar that was supposed to keep me safe. As the ride began to rise my stomach began to sink and soon I was screaming and hollering for the operator to stop the ride. After what felt like a lifetime the ride finally stopped and I stood on my shaky legs and made my way to the exit. As I rejoined my siblings it was clear I was in the minority of people who found the ride terrifying. It was at that moment that I realized nobody was sticking around with the tear stained girl who was terrified of the rides at an amusement park. I was on my own. As my family dispersed I stood there and tried to figure out how I was to have fun at a place if all the rides were like this one. Under the summer sun I steadied my resolve to ride the lobster until it was fun. I walked back around to the entrance and boarded the ride again. As the ride began to spin around I closed my eyes tight and held on until it was over. Once again I exited with a face full of tears. I wiped my face again and headed back to the entrance. The operator looked at me and asked, “Are you sure you want to try this again” and I said yes. I must have rode the lobster nearly twenty times in a row before I opened my eyes and realized I was laughing and no longer crying. I had persevered and found the joy in that horrendous ride. I climbed off for that last time and the operator gave me a high five then pointed me in the direction of the Little Dipper Rollercoaster. I smiled…challenge accepted.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have a full-time job in banking and I have a part-time business called Keepsake Art Cards. Keepsake Art Cards are 5 x 5 archival art prints that can be collected and displayed in the home or office or anywhere a person desires to enjoy art. These cards are special because they take flowers and display them in a new way. The compositions are dynamic. In these powerful little cards a rose is more than just a rose.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important qualities that continue to help me on my journey are consistency, asking for what I want/need and gratitude. Consistency means working at your goal regularly. In the beginning, I promised myself I would work on art everyday. It didn’t matter whether the art was good or bad I created art everyday for two years. The next quality that I have found helpful is asking God or the universe for what you need or want. In my case, I wanted a solo art exhibition. I had no clue how that exhibition was going to come to fruition, however the act of asking for it made me open to see opportunities as they presented themselves. When a local gallery approached me about doing a solo exhibition I was poised to say yes. Finally and just as important is the need for gratitude. Taking the time to look back on the journey and being thankful for what has been achieved is really important because it will give you the strength to keep going.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Staring down our mortality is one of the toughest parts about being human. If I knew I only had a decade to live I would spend that time in continuous self growth. Studying how to improve as a person and sharing what I learned with others. My life would entail spending countless hours at the ocean, as I love dynamic bodies of water. Sundays at Miko’s would be a thing as I hosted dinner parties for family, friends and acquaintances. Lastly, I would create art that painted a portrait of my life so that I could leave it as a legacy and a guide for others. Since none of us know the day or the hour that will be our last this question serves as a wake up call for me to get on with creating the life I have just requested via these lines.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lexireddart
- Other: @keepsakeartcards (Instagram page under construction)
