We had the good fortune of connecting with Esther Darius and we’ve shared our conversation below

Hi Esther, what matters most to you?
A principle that truly matters to me, is that “you reap what you sow”. As a Christian and Believer in Christ, I have come to hear this saying a lot. It’s a simple principle but often misunderstood. Sowing is the act of planting, scattering, and giving and I follow and believe this principle because in everything we do it takes this amount of energy and time to reap the benefits to receive a harvest. Whether if what we are doing is good, or bad there is still a reaping. In order for us to succeed we must constantly be planting and watering our gifts, talents, and skills because just like crops, our harvest doesn’t happen immediately. But, even if we don’t yet see the benefits in what we are doing we trust that it is working. Just as a seed is planted below the ground, we trust that it is growing. For this reason, I keep this thought in my mind because you get out what you put in. Therefore, I sow into things that will bring me joy, happiness, stability, and purpose and even if one idea or plan doesn’t work I just start “another one” in my DJ Khaled voice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m excited and proud of my blog “My Art of Vision”. I love writing about faith, vision, and life. I didn’t think I would love it at first, however, it built up to be my pride and joy. I have always been a creative person who looked for new ways to express this, I remember one summer I was just journaling and praying more and God pressed it on my heart to begin a blog. I quickly pushed the idea away, but it constantly kept coming back up. I had no idea how to create one so I began googling. It wasn’t easy starting something I had no knowledge in. There have been challenges due to my lack of knowledge and trying to understand who my audience was.  I started this as a hobby and sometimes didn’t write as much because I assumed it would be too much. However, I had to remind myself that I wrote in order to not feel afraid to speak up about the topics I cared the most about. As I have evolved, I want people to know I care about helping them build their vision by first starting on themselves. It seems my leadership style has led me to be a support to others and my blog is here to do that. I try to motivate, inform, and inspire in ways to allow you to see who you are and where you are going and that is what My Art of Vision is about, it’s about me helping you find your art form in order to build your vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So, I will be completely honest, the reality is that my best friend would be the one to show me a good time. Haha. I am a true introvert. I do enjoy adventure but it’s usually for a trip far away. Because I have lived in South Florida for so long it is easy to think there is no fun left in the city you reside in, but there are a few hidden gems. For fun, the top picks would be Top Golf, Wynwood Walls, Fort Lauderdale, or South beach for a boat ride, indoor skydiving, or kayaking in Fort Lauderdale. I would take her to restaurants with views of the beach, but there are a few without a view that is placed in great walkable plazas. I would definitely take her to Las Olas or South Beach at night to see the nightlife and the city lights. My best friend would enjoy all of this. But I think she would most importantly enjoy any ice cream parlor that South Florida has to offer to satisfy her sweet tooth. There are things to do in season and out of season here even if someone like myself isn’t always looking.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are people who have come and gone in your life to teach you something, and there are people closest to you that have always been there. My phone top call list could tell you who these people are. I do have a couple of people I recognize that have shaped my story and I will try to keep it short. My oldest sister is the first person I want to highlight. I often don’t thank her aloud but she has always been a great support system for me. She always pushed me and always reminded me of how skilled I am. My mother would sometimes joke that she is my second mother and I can say she took on that role easily and kept me focused through college. She gave me what she didn’t always receive from others and I am forever grateful. My sisters in general have grown to be great supporters and best friends to me. My best friend has also done the same by challenging me and pushing me even if she doesn’t realize it. Others that I give credit to are my childhood pastor, my middle school teacher, my mother, and my husband. I can pinpoint moments in time where they have done, and said something that has brought out great things out of me. My husband has challenged me from the time we met at eighteen years old and still does. I thank God for the people who are put in my life intentionally for my growth.

Website: https://www.myartofvision.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artof_vision/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyartofVision

Image Credits
Rosemantic Photography

Nominate someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.