Splatters of Clay

I am amazed that we have reached the end of another year. It went so fast and yet events that happened during the first half of 2008 seem like they happened ages ago. My fabulous and super smart wife came across a list of questions on the blog, Simple Mom , meant to help one reflect on the past year. Here are some of my answers. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? I was falling back into some behaviors and thinking that are not good for me, and my wife bravely and directly confronted me about it. It was hell, but she helped me get back on track. We are still working on it. What was the single most challenging thing that happened? Same as above. What was an unexpected joy this past year? We are having another baby! This will be number three for us. Pick three words to describe 2008. Opportunity, Growth, Mistakes What were the best books you read this year? Hands down the best, most life altering book I read this year was The Alchemist . If you have not read it, ...

It has been a while since my last post. I have been somewhat consumed by efforts to build my new website www.supercapesuperyou.com . It's a wicked cool online store where we sell custom made superhero capes for kids and adults. Its fun to tell people about because they always sort of pause say something like, "I can understand capes for kids, that's fun. But adults? What kind of adult wants a cape?" Well I have seen a cape gifted to an adult and the response it so much more touching then what you get form kids.  Don't get me wrong, kids love capes, but adults... wow. It's like instant transportation back to childhood. The thrill, the smile, the moment of self belief as if they are saying inside, "hey, I am super. I am special. I am a hero."  It is wonderful. And a lot of fun. Last night my wife and I went to a free musical performance. Now you may imagine a local band at a local park or something, but this was so much more. It was held in a rather la...

We just found out today that we are having a baby girl! With two boys I feel confident raising boys. A girl is a new adventure. I feel kind of nervous. We saw this baby shirt that said, "If you think I am cute, you should see my mom." Too true.  Here is a picture of her foot.

Last night I learned about an ailment, which was previously unknown to me. I came across it in John Grisham's book The King of Torts . The main character falls into a situation in which he becomes a millionaire over night. He says, "my hand was shaking as I signed the papers, not because of fear, but because of zero shock. I hope someday, that I make so much money at one time, that I experience this condition. The prospect is thrilling.

Success is one of those strange elusive elements of our universe. It is a lot like a Holy Grail . To seek after it is to ensure that one will never find it. The harder one chases success, the further away it will become. Viktor Frankl wrote in his book Man's Search for Meaning , that if youpursuies success, youwill never find it. To find success, youmust dedicate your life to another person, or to someothing greater then yourself. While I understand this concept, I struggle with it's application. I want success. The only way to get it, is to leave it alone. Seek aftet that thing greater then me and success will find me.

Splat! I am back to blogging! I took a really long hiatus from blogging. Why? Because I am a flake sometimes. One of my greatest strengths is my fabulous creative mind that moves with lightening speed. Ideas come to me often and quickly. Sometimes it is like trying to fill a cup with a fire hose . It just does not work that well. So my goal for the rest of this year is focus. Yeah, that's why I have four blogs and a website. So I am still working on the focus thing. What I have found quite recently is a vision and a purpose. My job is to inspire. Five words to sum up everything I do or try. "My job is to inspire! To bring light where there is darkness. To bring hope where there is despair ." I am an artist, writer, teacher, speaker. I will do all I can to spark a fire in others, because its fun. Splat! Have a great hour! Remember, you are super!

Let's face it we live in a world of fear and chaos and this often leads to despair and/or lethargy. I often feel overwhelmed by sadness and the inability to act. Especially when it comes to creating art. Just look at how long it has been since I posted on this blog. A friend recently reached out to me through e-mail. They found me through my artwork posted on ETSY . That simple e-mail sparked life in me. It roused a need to act, to cast off despair and laziness. I made a decision. I am not in the art business. Quite frankly I am not good at art as a business. I am still an artist and I will still create art, but there is so much more I want to do and be that just can not be defined by the creation of art alone. So I am expanding my efforts a bit.  I am going into the business of Inspiration. Where there is darkness, I want to bring light. Where there is despair, I want to bring hope. I will use whatever creativity and ability comes my way to accomplish this. What is more, it is a c...