I think we're born with certain abilities, gifts, passions. And I have come to believe that, if we truly pursue the subtle nudges, and finally feel the invisible 2x4's hit us smack in the forehead --- and do the work --- we will become "successful". Or fulfilled. Whatever that means to us. Some feel the nudge, seize it, and never let go. Some, like me, I guess it takes a little longer. But, hey.
Maybe it's worth a mention here; I have come to see clearly that, the people that I admire the most are not necessarily the ones with the best ride, or the biggest houses, or the grooviest threads. In fact, I know they aren't. It's the individual who is just herself, or himself to the core in whatever they do. Like, there is no question in their mind, and therefore mine, what resonates with that person, what drives them from their core. After all, if we aren't our deepest, truest selves, flying our own personal freak flag high in the sky, then what the hell are we doing here? (AND, if we can lift others in the process, hell yes.)
Take the True Artists, for example. The ones whose studios are full of work. Full to the rafters. They just do their thing endlessly. In a Mad Scientist, sort of way. It seems they are never questioning why, they just create the work. Some EPIC like Anselm Kiefer (Google him). And the 1,000's more with a more subtle, yet no less amazing approach, stoking their dreams with fervor in a corner of their kitchen. Regardless, they are their craft. No need to apologize for it. They just do it. Innate. Authentic. Not feeling alive if they don't.
There are Business People I admire, who I think do that well in terms of "living their brand". Like Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic (again, Google if you need to). She is her brand, one that goes back to her childhood scouring flea markets with her parents. And while she is known globally, she is still always beautifully seen in jeans and cowboy boots, looking like she just took a stroll through a dusty barn in search of that perfect, just-chippy-enough piece to go with that stunning vintage chandelier. And, while I don't claim to know her, I don't think she'd want it any other way. (And if you look close enough in some pictures, those boots aren't polished. Even better.)
And those intricate webs on the bushes in the pic above? Those spiders just know. Yep, a spider analogy. They just do it, Nike. As I was on my morning walk and took that pic on my phone, THAT IS what crossed my mind. They don't think about what wonderful things they are creating, they just spin that web. They don't even know that, when the sun hits the morning dew on that silky tent, it rather looks like diamonds. Almost like a chandelier (Rachel Ashwell would love that.)
Nudges.
Counsel from your peeps.
All out blaring sirens.
2x4's.
Whatever it takes. If you're feelin' it, ya best get at it.
From your core.
Maybe it's worth a mention here; I have come to see clearly that, the people that I admire the most are not necessarily the ones with the best ride, or the biggest houses, or the grooviest threads. In fact, I know they aren't. It's the individual who is just herself, or himself to the core in whatever they do. Like, there is no question in their mind, and therefore mine, what resonates with that person, what drives them from their core. After all, if we aren't our deepest, truest selves, flying our own personal freak flag high in the sky, then what the hell are we doing here? (AND, if we can lift others in the process, hell yes.)
Take the True Artists, for example. The ones whose studios are full of work. Full to the rafters. They just do their thing endlessly. In a Mad Scientist, sort of way. It seems they are never questioning why, they just create the work. Some EPIC like Anselm Kiefer (Google him). And the 1,000's more with a more subtle, yet no less amazing approach, stoking their dreams with fervor in a corner of their kitchen. Regardless, they are their craft. No need to apologize for it. They just do it. Innate. Authentic. Not feeling alive if they don't.
There are Business People I admire, who I think do that well in terms of "living their brand". Like Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic (again, Google if you need to). She is her brand, one that goes back to her childhood scouring flea markets with her parents. And while she is known globally, she is still always beautifully seen in jeans and cowboy boots, looking like she just took a stroll through a dusty barn in search of that perfect, just-chippy-enough piece to go with that stunning vintage chandelier. And, while I don't claim to know her, I don't think she'd want it any other way. (And if you look close enough in some pictures, those boots aren't polished. Even better.)
And those intricate webs on the bushes in the pic above? Those spiders just know. Yep, a spider analogy. They just do it, Nike. As I was on my morning walk and took that pic on my phone, THAT IS what crossed my mind. They don't think about what wonderful things they are creating, they just spin that web. They don't even know that, when the sun hits the morning dew on that silky tent, it rather looks like diamonds. Almost like a chandelier (Rachel Ashwell would love that.)
Nudges.
Counsel from your peeps.
All out blaring sirens.
2x4's.
Whatever it takes. If you're feelin' it, ya best get at it.
From your core.