Letting Go of Your Art

Below are the craft pieces that I sold last weekend and the stories behind them.

Grow, Use All The Crayons and 2013 Planning

A lady came up and told me she needed something to encourage her mother,  who was 65, almost ready to retire and had one adult child who used her (yep, there is always one user in every “happy family”).

We went around my booth looking for possibilities.  She laid eyes on GROW and picked it up immediately.  So, this was my first sale of the night.  She actually purchased three pieces, which included two of my favorite pieces.

Two pieces that I did not really want to sell.

Both GROW and Use All The Crayons were my favorites. My heart was in pain selling them.

All I kept thinking about was that I am doing what I set out to do – Give Encouragement to Others.  Give people courage…give them hope…help them cope… help them to go on…to push through…to make it…to do better…to wake up the next day and to have heart.

The lady said as I was bagging up her items: “I like your sayings, because they are not in your face type of encouragement”.  EXACTLY.  So, I guess Encouraging Words & Gifts is fulfilling its mission.

My Healing Is At Hand

 

A lady came up and picked up the piece and told me about her sister who was very ill.  She was going to travel to see her sister soon and wanted to “encourage her”. I understood that.   This piece has been around awhile.  I made it very early on when I didn’t really know what I was doing.  I re-worked it a couple of times.  I still looked at it and thought a 10-year-old could have made it because of the free hand font. So, I’m glad it found a good home.

Sailboat & Radmacher Quote

 

A couple brought both of the pieces, they didn’t share their stories with me why they were purchasing them. These are two pieces that I had around my house on the refrigerator and on downstairs bathroom wall.  I liked looking at them.  Both of them took me hours and hours and hours on and off to create them. It’s all good…it’s still about encouraging others and me learning to let go…

Wave of Change

A same-sex couple came up and looked at several pieces.  They settled on this one.  Life is about change.  That’s basically all it’s about.  With this piece I thought of the ocean and being a part of one ocean.  Learning to enjoy the waves of life – both the ups and the downs.  I hope they enjoy it.  I just think sometimes about these pieces being on somebody’s refrigerator and then they move and pack it up to put it on a new refrigerator half way across the world. I mean, you can’t beat this art thing, it’s real.

Chakra Balancing

There is an interesting story behind this one.  I was down at another ladies booth.  When you do these art/craft shows not only do you meet interesting “customers” if that what you want to call them, but also the other artist/crafters/designers/ect are equally very interesting people.  We all end up helping each other in some way:  with art ideas,  how to market,  info about the upcoming shows, how to attract folks to your booth, ect.

If you’ve never been behind a booth then you can’t know the ends and outs of doing this.   I guess it helped me to have a stint in marketing and setting up a booth to market a credit union at one point in my “career”.  But with personal art that you have created it a little different then working for a company or organization that you are representing.  Here you are representing a “very deep” part of yourself.  There is so much planning behind it, creating your inventory, preparing your inventory to be ready to show, all the physical work to set up your booth, getting over the rejection from folks who think your wares are crap (I’ve enjoyed this aspect of it because I learned that art is a little like love, either it is or it isn’t), telling the same story about how you made something or what something is, or how much it cost, over and over and over again.  When you do enough of these shows it’s almost like a community of sorts…travelings gypsies is what it feels like to me…

So, I was down at a clothing designer’s booth who had asked me give her some advice about her product.  She had taken yoga pants and added fabric and cuts to make them original and unique garments.  While I was down there my neighbor booth person came up to tell me that  “someone wanted to give me money!” meaning someone was at my booth and wanted to buy something.  I thought that was funny the way he put it.

When I got back to my booth there was a lady holding the above piece in her hand.  She said she just HAD to have it. She was a massage therapist and wanted to put it in the space where she worked.  I knew it would take someone who understood energy and chakra’s to buy this piece.  I was trying to depict the Kundalini Energy awakening.  I could tell that this woman really got it, she understood what this all meant.

She also told me that I should/could increase my prices. I told her that I just wanted to get the message out there  and to encourage others.  Then she said: “the spirit that  is in your art is worth more than you are charging”.  I might have to consider it.  The economy has gotten better.  I can now accept credit cards and it is SO HARD to sell the pieces that I love.  Not that getting a couple of extra bucks is going to make a big difference…but maybe…

Be New & Improved and The Joy Mandala

 

The two were purchased by the booth owner beside me, Brad.  I remembered his name because he and his wife were so nice and friendly to work beside (some people aren’t, so it’s nice when you find those who are).  He brought them both and told me that one was for him.  He asked me to guess which one I thought was for him.  I picked the Joy one and he said no it was the Shakespeare quote.

He also asked me if these would stay on the refrigerator because the wood was so thick.  I told him I thought so.  I hope so.  I don’t think I ever tested the New and Improved One.

The Joy piece was interesting to make and I added a note on the back that the Mandala depicted life with all the ups and down and ins and outs…but… at the center of life needs to be JOY.  It’s wasn’t really a pretty piece but one with a deep message and lots of soul.

Yes, I feel like some of these pieces that I’ve “sold” were a part of my “soul”.   Can you sell part of your soul?  Part of yourself. Does that mean that part of you is gone forever?   Maybe it only means that you are connecting to the deeper parts and really touching the larger Self.  Can you put a price tag on that?  Maybe that’s why there is such a thing as “starving artists”…you don’t want to put a price tag on it because you don’t want to “sell it”. 

That’s just how artsy creative stuff is I guess.  It comes from some place else and just comes through you then other people recognize that beauty and it speaks to them.  Something to ponder. 

It’s all good…time to get ready for the next show… the making of the art…creating…the work of the soul coming through…

Now, What’s Your Passion?

Go Ahead Pursue It – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Give Yourself To The World

 

 

 

Just Quit Your Job Survey Results - March 2013

No Soul. No Joy. No Reason.

That was one of the comments as to why someone was thinking about quitting their job without another one.

That sums it up for so many who are miserable in their jobs and henceforth with their lives. People are hurting.  Many… people… are…really… hurting. To everyone out there going through this please know that even though you feel like you are alone, you are not alone. I know that it is very, very hard for you to believe, BUT you will make it through this time in your life and your current work situation.  I can remember that feeling of hopelessness, but just know that this will come to an end (and without anyone getting hurt).   

Summary of Survey Results Ending March 31, 2013:

30 Respondents

Gender and Income Levels: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Countries:

United States, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom

12 States in the U.S.A.: 

California, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, and New York

Below Are The Comments from March 1 – March 31, 2013 to “Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?”

• It is toxic, micromanagement, boss told me it is his way or no way at all and he is doing everything possible to put me in the wrong direction and says so with happy face. Toxic!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Illegal practices going on in business. Backstabbing.
• I want to Quit because I hate my job. The only reason I have not quit is because I don’t have another job lined-up. I have an idea of what I want to do, but am worried what other people (i.e. parents) might think.

I live with my parents, and don’t have to pay any rent. I have no children and no other responsibilities.

The money I have saved could last me for at least a year.
So why don’t I just leave my job?

Several reasons:
—————-
1) I don’t like the stigma that comes with being unemployed and other people judging you.

2) Before my current job, I was unemployed for 1 year and
6 months. I’m worried I won’t find another job.

2) I want to spend time playing and building my Online Poker bankroll. I’ve been playing on and off for 2 years. I have read books, played over a 100k hands and I believe that if I put in a lot of hours I can be successful.

• I am depressed and disengaged. The job is boring and I am not appreciated.
• I get physically sick at the thought of going to work.
• I don’t like the customers
  There are too many weird and/or dangerous incidents
  I am feeling burned out
  I am tired of doing the same thing all the time
• Because I have no soul, no joy, no reason to maintain this equilibrium anymore.
• I’ve survived in an incredibly difficult and low paying job that’s affecting my health, has left me filled with rage and depression for the past two years, and shows every sign of getting worse. The people I work for have proven to be distrustworthy on more than one occasion, and constantly employ bad business ethics and bully anyone who stands up to them. For instance, it is routine to deny minimum wage workers legal overtime pay for many overtime hours worked on a WEEKLY BASIS. I am in a management position, and have tried to curtail these practices with every plea–short of filing a federal wage claim (which I was also bullied about)–to no avail. My family has plead for me to leave this job because it has left me completely isolated, emotionally and physically unwell, beyond stressed, and very angry to be unable to stop corrupt business practices. Also, did I mention I’m working in the food service industry? Oh, and I’m also barely making above minimum wage myself, uncompensated for overtime hours worked, and I’m not allowed my basic benefits or raises at all because apparently “the franchise doesn’t have money”. I’m also no longer able to work a set schedule, and I’m never allowed to request a day off for illness, family matters, or otherwise, in two years of work–which makes scheduling an interview difficult.
• I don’t feel happy at that company.
  I don’t get along well with my co-workers there.
  It is one of the most unorganized places I have worked at.
  My background doesn’t fit our current tasks very well, so I am not learning anything new that I can apply to elsewhere.
• Unhealthy environment. Becoming physically sick from the stress and demands

Are You Prepared to Quit? Statistics

77% have completed their spreadsheet to find out how long they can go without a job

85% have saved (or have access to) enough money for basic expenses for 6 months

59% have a general idea or specific plan about what they really want to do

81% thought about “the story” they will tell about “Just Quitting” (while between employment)

37% talked to others who have “Just Quit”

92% have thought about how the decision will impact their families

74% have determined the actual date that they can “Just Quit”

48% have already written their resignation letter

40% have thought about how they will celebrate when they “Just Quit”

 A couple of things that stood out to me about the above stats regarding preparing to Just Quit:

• Of everything on the checklist more than 90% of all respondents are thinking about the impact this decision will have on their families.  From my experience of being in a job that is making you miserable, yes,  you do have to talk to your family, BUT do not expect them to understand what you are going through.  They are not going through the emotional and physical turmoil that you are experiencing on this job.  Yes, you have to take their feelings and needs into account, BUT you have to do what is best for YOUR overall health or you will not be able to be there for your family.  STRESS IS REAL. This is where the careful “Just Quit” timing and planning is necessary.  The more you get into planning for your “Just Quit” date the more momentum starts to build towards being able to leave that job.
• A little less than 60% know what they really want to do. So in other words, 4 out of 10 people still don’t know what they want to do as a profession and/or what they would be happy doing. Again, if you don’t know what your talents and skills are and what you would be good at then you are likely to fall back into something that makes you miserable. I have done some research and think I might have found an online app from a company in Great Britain that might prove to be helpful in this area.  I need to check it out first before I post about it and recommend it.
• Because I know what it feels like to be miserable in a job I completely understand why only 40% have given any thought to how they will celebrate after they are out of their current work environments. Let me explain why it is important to think about celebrating.  A Celebration has to be planned because without that you could fall into a deep depression because there is no clear line of demarcation of the letting go process so the letting come new job/career/adventure process can take root.  If you don’t do anything else start just imagining your celebration.  There is something about visualizing the celebration that helps you to make it real!  Here’s how I celebrated:

I did NOT look back when I walked out of the building for the last time.   I kept walking forward, just continued  walking and  looking forward.  I didn’t know it then, but I know it now that that was very important for me not to look back at what I was letting go of but to look forward to what was coming.  When I was driving home I was screaming in joy and relief all the way down the interstate highway. When I got home I was so grateful that that period of my life was finally over.  I got dressed and went out to dinner at a restaurant with friends who had helped me through the Just Quit process. This was fun because it was almost like a victory for them as well to watch someone actually have the courage to leave a “great job” without another job to go to.   Then the big celebration was waking up when I was finished sleeping and not to an alarm clock to go to my daily appointment  – THE BEACH –  I went to the beach every single morning.  I enjoyed the sun, walking on the boardwalk, watching the waves, listening to the sounds of the ocean, and of course calling all my friends around the world to tell them that I had actually quit!!! So, think about how you will celebrate, it will propel you towards those experiences and make them happen.

• Only 3 out of 10 people have talked to others who have “Just Quit” to get some mentoring and guidance in this process.  I guess that’s what this blog is about. I’m calling on those who have “Just Quit” a job before having another one who have a story to tell.  Send me your story; let me post it for you.  Trust me you will help somebody.  Even if that somebody is just yourself.  There is something magical about getting your story out into the world.

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau