There is no brass ring...

[Laurel Alanna McBrine]

Great post. Amen.

Often, when a person finally arrives at some longed for destination, having sacrificed much, they find out it reallly isn't all that they thought it would be and the letdown is huge. We need to find ways to give ourselves the feeling of true success on our own terms rather than looking to outside sources to validate us.

Enjoying the journey, the little things in every day life is what makes one happy - including, for us, slapping some paint around or doing a drawing that pleases us.

Our reward is getting to do what we want and deriving satisfaction in the doing and achieving what we set out to do. The pressure to "succeed" comes from outside sources - needing lists of exhibitions to put on CV's, spouses wanting to see some income, that sort of thing.

Thanks for the reminder to focus on what matters, setting aside any ego driven goals, to enjoy our lives and what we do.

[Carol Norton]

Right on! Nothing more needs to be said as you put it perfectly.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Michael,

You are a smart man, thank you for posting your thoughts. Could you post the same thing about every 6 months? Just kidding.

Thank you for so eloquently putting down your thoughts on this for us.

Joan

[SB Wang]

Michael

"Learn from the torrential river water in the spring,
which sings all the way to flow forwardlly".

I sketched this performance, "Liu sanjie",
http://www.wku.edu/~yuanh/China/tales/liusanjie_b.htm
Actress Wang Yujia was willing to sit for a sketch. I wrote a poem in the form of calligraphy to this troupe, which is on tour for the earthquake relief.
http://www.jxjtech.com/sia/Press/2008/poster.htm

I wish I could join this trip:
http://www.getjealous.com/printdiary...e=crystal12356