3.2006 Studio News
In the Now
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Contents
4. Wrap-Up
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March
Studio
So if you live in the
Virgin Islands, the coming of March means the downpours are decreasing, the
days are warming, the ocean swells are fading, and the water is clearing as the
sunshine increases. The nights are crystal clear and still comfortably breezy
and “cool”, in the lower 70s. If you come from West Virginia and live in the
Virgin Islands, you understand what a blessing this is since March brings God
knows what as winter decides how long it plans to stay. Since the weather will
always do what it will regardless of how we feel, may we all enjoy the
blessings and ignore the rest.
This time of year seems to
bring added stress with taxes, weird weather, planning summer trips, etc. I’m discovering
that my tiny apartment is really, after all, freaking TINY for the amount of
rent. I’m also discovering that making friends and connections on St. John
happens so easily and freely if you’re open to it. More design job opportunities
are popping up, surprisingly faster than I thought. That’s fantastic—except my
Mac somehow got “lost” by the PO and I’m still without one. I’m dangling as I
wait for the insurance check and then another one to take its place.
Gratefully, my friends Janet and Steve Simonsen have let me set up shop with a
G5 in their studio. I’m keeping my head above water, so to speak, and it’ll all
work out somehow some way. If living in a box and having no Mac are my biggest
frustrations, I don’t think that’s too bad.
The Olympics wrapped up
last weekend, did many of you watch? Turin 2006 brought a few surprises but
still all the splendor, talent and hard work that the Olympics stand for. It’s
important to reinforce good ol’ American pride like that ever so often—that pride
that runs deeper than the government and politics. The pride we can still feel
good about.
Thanks for continuing to read my newsletter; it means a lot that you care enough to take the time! Sometimes you feel a little isolated on an island, you know. It’s great to know I can work into your thoughts once a month, if I’m lucky. Have a great March, guys.
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In
the Now
How often do you find yourself thinking of the
past, imagining something in the future, or wishing for a change? “If only….,
then…..” is a powerful—but extremely unproductive—thought. In the moment you
think of the past, future, or possibilities, you have lost your present
experience.
Happiness, success, peace, abundance…these are
states of mind, not a goal. The life you want is here right now, waiting for
you to grab it. Too often we think about the people, events, or resources we
need in order to have happiness. We act as if our happiness depends it. We lose focus and fail to see
how wonderful our life is right now, today. Pin your hopes on the future and
you'll miss your chance. Of all the things we need to deal with in our lives,
time can be the hardest to get a handle on.
What’s
impressive is that right now, this moment, COULD provide all the joy and
contentment we need. Right now isn’t so much about time as it is about our idea
of it.
Many of us live
and dream in the future. The present moment is so full with so much that it’s
just a blur. But our future stretches out forever, giving use plenty of time to
reach our goals, get that dream job, meet our life mates, travel to Europe.
It’s easy—and a cop-out—to just figure that all your dreams and goals can be
filled later, in the future. But that’s an illusion. It may look clear and
inviting, but it never actually arrives. It’s always coming.
It's the
experience of living, not remembering or hoping, that will make our lives what
we want them to be.
I’m not
suggesting that planning for the future isn’t productive. There is a huge
difference between planning for the future and living in it. We can't count on
the future to provide or be the environment that offers the happiness or
satisfaction we currently lack. That’s when the mistake is made. Focusing on
the “lack of” does nothing more than fill now with longing. However, planning
in the moment of “now” can be made healthy and energizing by focusing on how to
fill the next moment to reach what is lacking.
The poet
Alastair Reed wrote something so eloquent about the joys of childhood:
"The principal difference between childhood and the stages of life into
which it invariably dissolves is that as children we occupy a limitless
present. The past has scarcely room to exist, since, if it means anything at
all, it means only the previous day. Similarly, the future is in abeyance; we
are not meant to do anything at all until we reach a suitable size.
Correspondingly, the present is enormous, mainly because it is all there
is...."
Our present
moment has the possibility of being thrilling, exhilarating, and inspiring. And
it can be if we look at it and embrace it. From what I can tell, we all only
get one chance at this present moment. It’s up to each of us to figure if we’re
going to spend it angry, worrisome, stressed, friendly, or happy. Sure, there's
pain and sorrow. But don't defer the exhilaration and joy until some
nonexistent tomorrow. The pain and sorrow were last minute. This is now. Focus
on what’s here and what it takes to make the most of it.
Just this
morning, I received a note from a friend, announcing his resignation as an
adult to become a kid again. It seemed fitting to paraphrase some of the words,
as children seem like great role models for this:
“I hereby tender
my resignation as an adult.
I have decided I
would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8-yr-old again.
I want to go to
McDonald’s and think that it’s a 4-star restaurant.
I want to sail
sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks.
I want to think
M&Ms are better than money, because you can eat them.
I want to return
to a time when all you knew were addition tables and simple stories—but that
didn’t bother
you because you didn’t know what you didn’t
know and you didn’t care anyway.
I want to
believe the world is fair and everyone is honest and anything is possible.
I want to be
excited about little things and be oblivious to the complexity of life.
I want to fill
my day with more than e-mail, paperwork, news, financial worries and gossip.
And I want you to come and play with me before I have to
come in, get a bath, and go to bed.”
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March Links
Ashes and Snow
Works by
artist/photographer Gregory Colbert
For a virtual experience
that can really take your breath, check out artist/photographer Gregory Colbert’s
site. He “[explores] the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, working
towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in
harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or
end, here or there, past or present.” He works with such a vision it’s
refreshing to read about his goals.
AIGA Design Salaries
For the my designer readers, this is a great source for comparing salaries
and rates across the nation for design jobs. Produced annually by the AIGA,
compare and feel great about what you’re making…or not.
http://www.designsalaries.org/
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Wrap-Up
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If you have any comments, suggestions for future newsletters,
questions, etc., please feel free to e-mail. Or, for further information about
my design or illustration studio and services, please e-mail me or check out my
websites.
Asolare Design
Chelsea Creates
Illustration Studio