What I've Learned...

Over the course of the last year, and especially the last 6 months, I have learned quite a bit. I have made a lot of discoveries, both in my art and about myself. There is not a day that doesn't go by where I don't learn something new, or come face to face with a reality in my life that helps me. Some of these are wonderful, and some are not. Some in fact, are very painful. And it is in these most painful moments, when I clear my mind of any anger, doubt, or sadness, that the greatest moment of clarity presents itself. Usually it comes down to the simplest of details, and ones that seem to make the most sense. I wonder why I often took such complicated paths to learn something that was so simple, and most of the time right in front of me. Part of it, I believe, is my own lack of self confidence and worth which leads me to doubt my feelings, instincts, and thoughts. The other part, is influence by outside sources that I default to because of my doubt. Eventually, I wind up doing things not for me, or even thinking like me. That is to say, it's not bad to have influences out of your normal realm of thinking. One just has to determine if these influences are beneficial or detrimental, and then go on from that point. But in both cases, I can only say that it was my fault. There is no one to blame but myself. So, in lieu of this, and everything that I have experienced, I have come to believe in a few simple ideas. Nothing grand, nothing too thought out, and really just common sense. Keeping it as simple as possible, is really the best way:

Follow your dream.
Believe in it.
Do it.
And don't let anything,
or anyone stop you.
In the end,
it will come true.

That is really it, 5 brief ideas. Simple. Concise. Powerful. As long as you hold true to these ideas, you can do anything. This is what I have learned. Say goodbye haters...