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
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
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
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
Cheerleader a fixture in the vintage napkins. She was always cheery. I would draw her when I wanted someone representing ‘being positive’ even if she was also a bit dense or naive about things.
But she turned out to not be dense and after leaving high school she went on to the Sorbonne in Paris, then to Oxford for her Ph.D. She is still there.
She is through with her goth phase and is now back to her cheery self, though with red hair and three tattoos her mother and father don’t know about yet.
She can still fit in her uniform and wears it every Halloween and sometimes to root for the Oxford rugby team for which her BF plays.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
A perfect quote for all you entrepreneurs, business and sales people out there.
I recently had a problem with my Mac Pro. I know, not a common occurrence.
I went in to the Apple store to buy a new graphics card, which is where I thought the problem lied. At the last minute I told the 2 (yes, 2) guys helping me that I didn’t want to spend the money to have the computer looked at to see if it was really the problem. They said it’s all free at the store, just make an appointment and bring it in, which I did.
The diagnosis was the logic board, not the graphics card. More money, time in the shop, not a good thing. I left the computer and 2 days later got a call saying it was the graphics card after all and that because they held the computer for so long the card would be free. Yes, free.
I got the computer back and found only one of the monitors (I have 2) was working. I diagnosed it and found the new graphics card takes two power cables, one for each monitor and they had given me only one. I called and explained the problem. They ordered a completely new graphics card because it was the only way to get the extra cable. They had it the next day.
So, I had a problem. The company not only fixed the problem and any ensuing problems but did so in such a way that I want to stay with Apple. I want to support Apple. I want to revisit that store. I want to buy again from Apple. They exceeded my expectations not just with the one on one interaction, but in their way of diagnosing (right in front of me, with full explanation) and in their policy of getting things right, no matter what.
Do you do that with your clients? Do you design your company to do that?
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.” – Chinese Proverb
Ok, so to all my friends of a certain age, meaning about my age, I have something to say to you…
GET WITH THE PROGRAM!
ahhh…that felt good.
As we speak my cat is exploring in the mesh of cables accompanying my old scanner, printer and computer that is in the back of my office…she is with the program.
Where was I? Oh yea, I do NOT want to hear you brag about your incompetence when it comes to technology! What is the point in having pride about not knowing something, not being able to handle something? Be quiet, do some study and figure it out.
I would write more but I have to go to the Apple store today to get my computer diagnosed because I only figured out yesterday that I can do that. I thought it would cost a bundle, but it’s free. Of course the new part (likely a graphics card) will cost a bundle but that’s the way that is.
I write this fragmented tirade because I spent the better part of yesterday being rolled over by not one steamroller, but four steamrollers, all with different answers. I wrote stuff down, judged who I thought actually knew what the hell they were talking about (1.5 out of the first 3) then was persistent as a woodpecker with the fourth until I finally got something figured out.
Technology isn’t easy, but the consequence of not dealing with it is that you become OLD! You may not feel old, but before you know it you will be one of those people who say ‘These kids today….back when I was a kid we chopped wood for the fire, slew the bears in the woods’…yada yada yada.
Don’t be that person, ok?
Thanks,
gotta go.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Once new technology rolls over you, if you aren’t part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.” – Stewart Brand, 1938-not dead yet, American, Author of the Whole Earth Catalog
Proverb week continues.
But people love money and lend love without being forced. Why is that?
Drawing © Marty Coleman
“You can’t force anyone to love you or lend you money.” – Jewish Proverb
This is totally funny and absurd and silly and nutty. It’s also true.
We are talking about how one really does get to know oneself. It can’t be done in a vacuum, it’s always done in some part as a comparison.
If you don’t believe me just ask yourself, Am I my mother? Am I my father? Part of you says yes, a larger part says NO WAY. Why? Because you have learned who they are, you know them. Probably they drive you up the freakin’ wall. But even if you don’t and your one of those people who think your parents are just dandy (beware of those people, by the way), then you still realize that even if you WANT to be them, you aren’t.
Of course, this is only half the equation. Learning who you are not is good. I am not my neighbor, the perve. I am not my psycho boss. I am not my vain cheerleader frenemy, I am not my childhood friend, the rich, best-selling author with 3 homes, 2 BMWs, frequent trips to Europe and lots of hair (dag nabbit!).
It starts to narrow it down, but it doesn’t define. BUT…if you know enough people it will take you so long to figure out who everyone else is you won’t have time to focus on your self and next thing you know you will have become YOU!
I know, like I said at the beginning. It’s just a silly goofy saying. I just tried to make something of it. That’s just who I am.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“In order to discover who you are, first learn who everybody else is, and you’re who’s left.” – Ashleigh Brilliant, 1933 – not dead yet, American funny guy.
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Wiggle dog goes back a long way. First inspired by my dalmatian, Oreo in the 90’s, WD (as she is known to friends) is now most often inspired by Sadie, our terrier mixed with ‘the mystery breed’.
Wiggle dog watches. She isn’t a watch dog, but she watches. She watches things beyond her reach and reaches for them. She watches things she doesn’t understand and is enthralled anyway.
She eats dog food and likes it. She also likes stale pretzels quite a bit.
She always represents love, enthusiasm and energy for life.
Her best friend is Whiny Cat even though they are constantly quite rude to each other.
Drawing by Marty Coleman, The Napkin Dad of the Napkin Dad Daily blog. You should check it out, subscribe to receive a napkin a day. Add in the voluntary paid subscription and you will not only make your brain bigger (the napkins do that free of charge), but make your (and my) day better!
