Tuesday, April 10, 2007

From the Alpha...

I always believed we have some notion of who or what we're meant to be from the time we're eight or nine. A few people stay the course and they become that person. Most of us stray from the path, sometimes due to bad choices but most often because of fear and the need for security. Every once in a great while, we find the path again.

My husband, the person I admire more than anyone I know is a fine artist, but he didn't start painting until he was 29. He struggled for many years while he learned his craft, worked more jobs than I could ever imagine possible and did without for many years until he could support himself with his art. He never gave up.

We have some friends who are artists and until a few years ago had "normal" jobs, but gave the steady income up to live the modest life they now have. She told me recently they are the proverbial starving artists, but she wouldn't give up the life she has now for anything in the world.

Another friend works with a rescue organization that catches, spays and releases feral cats in Denver. They find homes for the domestic cats they find abandoned and abused and she goes out and feeds and cares for these animals. She told me it's what she was meant to do.

Another couple we know had day jobs, but she's a painter and a writer so they started a fine art framing business on the side. After more than a year of hard work, he left his job to frame full time and she's cut back her hours and will soon be able to quit and do the things she's passionate about.

People do it and they do it all the time. I wanted to write and did, for as long as I can remember; me and a million other people. It wasn't until a few months ago that I thought maybe I could get back on my path. I started stealing time here and there to supplement my journaling with short stories and story ideas. I have a good job and make a good living, but I've watched Scott paint and create day after day, and he works very hard at it. I want what he has and what all of the people I've mentioned have. The yearning to do something I feel passionate about has overcome my fear of failure and financial insecurity (OK that's a lie. I'll never get over my fear of living in poverty again). We talk often now about my transition from the corporate life to that of a writer. How much should we have saved? How far can we pay the mortgage down? Should we get rid of HBO? I'll still have to work, but maybe part-time doing something that doesn't follow me home. I'm a realist and I know it's a longshot I'll be successful and we'll have to "downsize" and make sacrifices, but it's worth it. It's what I love and giving it my best shot and failing is preferable to never trying at all. I've made commitments to get our lives in order and to allow more time to write and this blog is part of that.

I'm hoping to connect with others who are daring to dream of pursuing whatever it is they are meant to be. I'd like to share thoughts and ideas with people who want to make a major life change and to find inspiration from people who've done it. I have a lot of challenges ahead of me, but I have a whole new level of energy and optimism now that I've gone from "I wish" to "I will".

6 comments:

Nic said...

Welcome to the world of blogging - and what a wonderful site you've created. I've put you on my main blog and will also link to you on my Finders! Keepers? site. In fact, I'll do a little blurb about your blog - helps with your ranking on search engines.

If anyone can make a go of following their dreams, it will be you. You have the talent, the drive, the determination...now you just have to be able to endure a small amount of poverty. I say "small" because I truly believe that the universe supports a person following their heart - and that's not only a spiritual principle, but a financial one. A little struggle, a lot of belief, times of discouragement and times of incredible fulfillment.

Onwards and upwards my friend. :-)

Love,
Nicole

Nicole Hyde said...

There ya go...a link on Finders! Keepers? and a blurb:

http://fkartproject.blogspot.com/2007/04/eudaemonia-you-know-you-want-it.html

:-)

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

For me failure means never trying. See? You've already succeeded. Best of luck...

Amy

Lisa said...

Nicole, I can't tell you how much your words and your generosity of spirit mean to me. Obviously, you are one of my primary inspirations and I hope as time goes on you'll share more about the incredible path you've taken to come to the beautiful world you've created with Wes You have such an endless wellspring of creativity that I often find myself wondering, "just what is she up to now?". I've just added a link to Finders! Keepers?, one of the coolest art projects ever conceived (at 2:00 this morning I wanted to and was too cross-eyed to find it!). Your first post (which was the first ever for Eudaemonia) actually brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you!

Lisa

Lisa said...

Amy,

I was completely surprised and wholly delighted to see a post from you! I read The Writers'Group posts every day and I learn something from every one of them. I thank you, Lisa, Hannah & Lynne for taking the time to post and I thank you for taking the time to offer your encouragement. You've made my day :-)

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

WOW.

When people have asked me about my family, I gotta tell you I’ve often commented - “my sister is really a writer” – I kid you not! I’m so proud of you – and happy – the blog really makes the fact that you’re really happy with your life sing. I only hope that I’ve inherited half your talent.

I’m really impressed. I have only to figure out what I want to be/visualize for myself. You’re an inspiration. Beautiful stuff – good on ya!

--Bugley (your fat-headed sister!)

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Literary Quote

It is worth mentioning, for future reference, that the creative power which bubbles so pleasantly in beginning a new book quiets down after a time, and one goes on more steadily. Doubts creep in. Then one becomes resigned. Determination not to give in, and the sense of an impending shape keep one at it more than anything.


Virginia Woolf