Several years ago — at least fifteen — I learned about the MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant and it changed my life. My initial goal was (of course) to win it someday, so I began reading about exactly what the qualifications were: “At the heart of the MacArthur Fellows Program is its aim to identify extraordinarily creative individuals with a track record of excellence in a field of scholarship or area of practice, who demonstrate the ability to impact society in significant and beneficial ways through their pioneering work or the rigor of their contributions.”

I began to think about the type of person I’d need to become in order to qualify. I started my YouTube channel with tips and techniques, and for eight years I consistently filmed videos and added to my channel. I’ve been recognized in other countries by viewers of those videos. Last year I attended a shoe making event in New York City; the event started with a group of shoe makers telling their origin stories, and I was astonished at how many of those stories began with me and my YouTube channel. I began teaching and speaking and writing. Eventually my goal turned into being that person rather than winning the award.

This past weekend, at the Boot and Saddlemakers Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas, I was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Some of my students and friends and mentors spoke prior to presenting the award, and the beautiful things they said about me indicated that perhaps I’ve achieved my goal. The MacArthur Fellowship jurors are secret and there’s no way to apply or be nominated, so my chances are similar to winning the lottery. But I will always be grateful that I found the award and decided to try and be the sort of artist they’d recognize. The initial goal — to win — was too small. I’m glad I pursued generosity and learning and teaching and growing as an artist, because it made me a winner!