Following on from the story about Jane last time, here’s a page from my journal/sketchbook, written earlier. It might be for you too.
The advice I gave Jonathan, the young man that came for life counsel for his un-begun career in art—
His sketchbooks full of drawings showing:
(1) that he can do it
(2) that he is doing it
(3) that’s there’s nothing finished enough to present formally.
After long listening and talking about many things
I challenged him to take four to six months
to prepare his resume (actually portfolio)
to present to a potential employer for a job.
Part of this would be to interview some prospective employer
for what he (or the industry) wants to see in an applicant.
Who knows if he’ll do it?
He’s young, and part procrastinator.
But he’s recently in love.
(When he’d asked me when I first “found myself”
I told him it was when I got married.)
But I’m thinking now, what with my (ongoing) juncture,
that I might give myself the same advice:
Take between now and New Year’s, or September 1
[my personal New Year’s]
and propose (to myself) what I’m going to do/not do
for this next period, career, epoch, whatever.
This, looking at realities, external and internal,
and the contribution I can make and want to make
under God.
That was it, a page from the journal, shared with you . . . for what you might get out of it too. Take the four to six months, have a date in mind, and set aside some time daily to think about it. Who knows, it could change your life.
And who can’t always be using that?
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:29 am
Thanks. Good idea.
11:59 am
This is great, too! Thanks for your motivation and inspiration. Could also be very useful for my daughter who’s thinking about studying art next year in college.
12:05 pm
I really liked this . Great reminder and I like the idea
Of setting s date. Thanks
12:33 pm
A good idea for wherever a body may be in their life walk.
2:15 pm
amazing. I’m doing this.
2:59 pm
Yes! “propose (to myself) what I’m going to do/not do
for this next period, career, epoch, whatever.
Looking at realities, external and internal,
and the contribution I can make and want to make
under God.” Excellent advice. I have been doing this and need to set the time limit. Thanks Hyatt.
4:09 pm
Hyatt
Again your advice to a young artist is right for any age.
Your transparency comes through in your writing and touches deep chords –
Recently I wrote my ten yr old G son who gave his first poetry reading in public to
Develop this gift. I reminded him that a number of unpublished poets are in the Family tree.
All gifts need acknowledgement to grow.
Keeping the creative alive here too.
Thanks
John
7:35 pm
you have always been a great life coach, even before there was that word for it!
1:00 pm
Timely, and helpful advice–Thanks!
It’s a trial for me to stare into this abyss of not-knowing what I’d like to do. The answer takes thinking and planning, I’m deciding must be the case. No way around that process, but through!