by Marty Coleman | Dec 4, 2009 | Art, Ralph Waldo Emerson |
I woke up early, around 5am (had to pee) and laid back in bed with thoughts of accomplishment in my head. I am not sure why but the question ‘what would you say is your greatest accomplishment’ came to mind. I envisioned it being asked by an interviewer as if I was on a morning talk show.
My first thought in response was this: My greatest accomplishment is continuing to be positive, confident and happy in spite of what life has thrown at me. Following right behind was the thought: My greatest accomplishment is continuing to be an artist most every day of my life.
Both revolve around knowing and being who I am, who I want to be. If I struggle with knowing and acting to be who I want, it is a struggle not to become someone else, but to adjust myself enough to fit in as I might need to fit in in certain circumstances. I am not always successful at that.
So, what about you? What is your greatest accomplishment? I am NOT talking about careers or how many kids you have or something like that. I am talking about your emotional, social and psychological accomplishments in life.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882, American Philosopher and Essayist
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by Marty Coleman | Dec 3, 2009 | George Bernard Shaw |
This goes against the grain of the way I have thought about virtue in the past. But after I read this quote, and heard the ongoing stories about Tiger Woods and his infidelities, it made me reconsider.
I use to think the man or woman who wanted something bad or unhealthy but stood against the desire and didn’t indulge was being virtuous. I am not saying I completely disagree with that. They are virtuous in many ways.
It also glides into a perfect fit with the ideal of the rugged individualist who battles his or her demons and comes out victorious. It makes a good story in other words because really, what is more boring than a truly virtuous person, right?
But the quote really does bring out the idea that the KEY to being virtuous is not in battling your desire, but to not have the desire. Of course you might be saying, fine but how do you get RID of the desire? Isn’t that the billion dollar question! Think of all the industries that would go belly up if we got rid of the desire instead of spending our lives fighting the desire. The diet industry would lose a lot of financial weight. The tobacco industry would go up in smoke. Alcoholics Anonymous would have some problems keeping their glass full as well.
I do know in my own life I have only won the battles when the desire has left me. I had to reach a crisis point, a bottom, for that to happen with alcohol, which it did in 1993. But once I hit that bottom the desire left. If, however, you don’t have a revelation or event that stops the desire stone cold and it wants to stick around a while, the key to success over a vice is in large part a function of how much you feed it. Find something to replace it and stick with it. If you are an addictive personality, which you likely are if you struggle like that, then find another addiction! Become an exercise whore, or a furniture maker extraordinaire, find something and stick with it. And then let time work it’s magic and sweep the desire into the past.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.” – George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950, Irish playwright
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by Marty Coleman | Dec 2, 2009 | Johann Goethe |
The only thing I would add to this quote is to put a ‘yet’ at the end of it. I believe all is fathomable, just not yet, and maybe not even by us humans. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an explanation.
In the meanwhile it is perfectly fine, and not against any belief in science and it’s ability to discover truth, to say we don’t understand something, that we sit in awe of the complexity of life, earth, the universe, emotions, feelings, death and much more.
I am happy knowing I am living in an era when searching for explanations, wherever they may lead, will not get me burnt at the stake or hung from a gallows for heresy. I am very glad for that.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“A thinking person’s greatest happiness is to have fathomed what can be fathomed and to rever in slience what cannot be fathomed.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 1749-1832, German author, poet and scientist
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 30, 2009 | Art, Garson Kanin |
No matter your work you have to do the hard detail work if you want to be considered a professional. You have to be meticulous and thorough. You have to think about entire projects, plan things out and work to make it happen. Hoping is fine, dreaming is fine, wishing is fine. But none of those will create your work for you, none will create your destiny. Only work and perseverance will do that.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily blog.
“Amateurs hope, professionals work.” – Garson Kanin, 1912-1999, American writer and director
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 29, 2009 | Francis Bacon |
I like this quote, don’t you?
I like it because it is true AND because it makes me ask ‘What am I not?’ and ‘What am I?’ two questions it is always good to consider in the pursuit of growth and wisdom, as well as imagination and humor.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Imagination was given to compensate for what we are not, and humor to console us for what we are.” – Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, English Author and Philosopher
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 28, 2009 | Samuel Johnson |
While this may be true of those looking up with envy, the quote actually made me think of those who are higher up. For every person we see above us, there is someone who didn’t rise as far. What is your attitude towards them? Are you looked at as that person who is ungrateful? Have you considered who helped you and the gratitude you owe them?
Maybe it is the administrative assistant who first helped you understand the complexities of office politics. Now that you are a manager, are you still paying attention to that person?
Maybe it is a family member who first showed you how to use a camera and explained how to organize your photos. She remained a hobby photographer. You have gone on to professional photography, but have you stopped to thank that person for helping you on your way?
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman
“One is apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above oneself.” – Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784, English Author
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 27, 2009 | Gratitude - 2010/2011, Maurice Setter, Thanksgiving |
Expecting something of value to happen in your life without pre-conditions of the exact nature of the event isn’t easy. But if you practice being open to whatever happens and finding the preciousness within it, then it won’t matter if it is gold, silver or dirt.
Drawing and Commentary by Marty Coleman
“Too many people miss the silver lining because they are expecting gold.” – Maurice Setter, 1936-not dead yet, English football (soccer) player
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 26, 2009 | Anonymous, Gratitude - 2010/2011, Thanksgiving |
When we are non-grateful we look at what is missing, what we want or feel we should have.
In art instruction there is a technique to help people see the object they are drawing by having them focus on the negative space. the space between and around objects and its shape. Seeing that helps to see the object.
However, in life seeing what isn’t there is a double edged sword. Should you work to attain what you want, work for that you do not have? Sure, it’s a good thing. But to look at what a person doesn’t give instead of what they do isn’t always the same thing. To look at what a society doesn’t give isn’t always the same thing.
Instead of focusing on what is missing, the negative space in your partner, your boss, your child, your society, your culture, focus on the positive space. The things they actually do and be grateful. It doesn’t mean you don’t try to attain something greater. It doesn’t mean you can’t say when your needs aren’t being met. It simply means you acknowledge what is really there.
I am grateful for those of you who read my blog and enjoy the drawings and ideas. I appreciate when you write and tell me stories about your own journey into becoming who you want to be. Thank you.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 25, 2009 | Gratitude - 2010/2011, Thanksgiving, William A. Ward |
I was looking for a shopping quote today in anticipation of Black Friday but came to realize as I was searching that Black Friday is primarily not about shopping, it’s about gift giving.
So, a simple question comes to mind. Is the gift you are going to get on Friday a gift that the recipient will feel was given with them in mind? Will it show your gratitude for them, your love for them or will it show you spent money because that is what you are suppose to do?
Will the present be buried in the past without a second thought, or will it be treasured because it came from love?
You may ask, how can I know what that is? You know by paying attention to the person. Not when they are writing down their wish list, but throughout the year. Listen to what they talk about, what they care about. That will tell you how you can meet their needs with a gift. That will show you are acting grateful, not just saying you are grateful.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward, 1924 – 1994, American Author
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by Marty Coleman | Nov 24, 2009 | Gratitude - 2010/2011, Robert Flatt, Thanksgiving |
This Thanksgiving I am going to be thankful for, along with the usual suspects of family, friends, health and safety, contentment. That I am either content with who I am and what I do, or I am taking action that will lead to that contentment.
Sit and be content this week.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Thanksgiving, like contentment, is a learned attribute. The person who hasn’t learned to be content lives with the delusion he deserves more or something better.” – Robert Flatt
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I woke up early, around 5am (had to pee) and laid back in bed with thoughts of accomplishment in my head. I am not sure why but the question ‘what would you say is your greatest accomplishment’ came to mind. I envisioned it being asked by an interviewer as if I was on a morning talk show.
