Awakening
A good friend told me you have to continually put yourself out there, as you’ll never know who might stop and take notice.
Easy words to say. But for some reason, harder to put into practice. Naturally, I can usually come up with a thousand reasons, sure let’s call them excuses, as to why I shouldn’t put myself out there…yeah, we’ve all played that game. Awesome always says to think about the worst case scenario. Most of the time, it’s never really that bad and very infrequently does it ever reach that level of badness. So in an effort to change, I’ve started doing.
Doing comes with a common wavelength of patterns. A multitude of highs and lows that ring to the sound of rejection, rejection, rejection, acceptance, acceptance, rejection, acceptance, rejection… REJECTION! It’s all a game in an effort to build thick skin, character and humility. You know, keep that ego in check less it run amuck, streaking naked like a wild banshee and annoying everyone in sight! No one likes that person!
And laughing at the game has become a new favorite past time. Honey, good news, I got another rejection letter today! I’ve learned to moderate expectations by turning the dial to low.
Then one day something magical happens. I happened upon the right place at the right time with the right vision and all the puzzle pieces fall into place. As if they’ve been there all along staring at me, rather blatantly, wagging their tongues as if to say “I told you so!”
The moment was a high. Highest of highs. A high to rule all other highs. And I will happily ride it until that next rejection letter sends me crashing back down to reality. A reality where this subjective world of art wears a thousand shades of colors, one specifically tailored to fit an unsuspecting passerby. If I’m lucky, maybe two or three. If I’m really counting my stars, four of five.
But at the end of the day, those two or three or four or five are really just icing. Because the reality is they are all tailored to fit me.
Original Posting: December 2014
New musings: It's actually amusing going back in time and rereading, and re-living, these experiences. Then I look at the date and realize how long ago it was and how far I've come.
Rejections, while never really welcome, don't affect me like they used to. UNLESS, I really had my heart set on something. But I'm able to quickly flip these around realizing something better is on its way. Or perhaps, this wouldn't have been the best situation for me, even if accepted, for the following x, y, and z reasons. Taking everything with a grain of salt and realizing there is a reason for everything is a sure-fire way to keep me off the ledge.
And then there's the understanding that something greater is at work behind the scenes. I can't quite explain it, but if you've experienced it before, you know what I am talking about. It's the magic wand that creates coincidental situations...or synchronicities. The best I can say describe it, it's the moment I finally decide to do something, full-heartedly, suddenly, as if a big gust of wind barrels over the hill and through my being, doors begin to open. So do the right people, coming in to offer assistance, hold my hand, or lend an ear. It's as if everyone and everything breathes a sigh of relief to say, you're on the right path...now keep moving forward.
I hope you've had the joy of experiencing something like this too.
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Behind the Scenes - Awakening
Social media really is a necessary evil of sorts. But what I love most about it is the ability to connect people from afar. I’d been swimming in the same circles as Robert Cornelius for several months and had even happened upon his work before I realized who he was. Needless to say, this guy is a bad ass. Seriously, go check out his work. I’ll wait.
Not only does he have mad skillz, but he’s a really likeable, down-to-earth guy.
Several of us made our way to a little park in Northern Maryland, coming from Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania. In Texas terms, it was like driving from San Antonio to Austin! As with many of these little jaunts, sometimes we come armed with ideas and sometimes we let the space inspire us. Awakening was clearly inspired by the space. Robert was kind enough to model, balance on a step ladder (on one foot even) as well as create these massive splashes of water to assist with my vision. A big thank you to Tom, Kory and Anita for adding to the flair by finding and throwing rocks! If only we could move boulders!
These are the days I am most thankful for. Everyone is encouraging and helpful. Where collaboration is high and inspiration follows. Where friendships are made. I have much to be thankful for.
Interested in adding Awakening to your collection?
Feel free to share this newsletter with your art lover friends. Leave a comment. Drop me a line. Until next time.
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