Inspiration

Coming to you live from Cloud 9! I've landed in Houston, TX, and am in the company of friends, Traci Overstreet, Meagan "Clam" Herrin, and Allison Sullivan. Times are good! Mother's Day was spent with family over a lovely dinner. My flights today went smooth, and I had a good cosmetic magazine to pour over. Got started putting together a syllabus for the upcoming makeup artistry madness I'll be instructing during the merry month of June. There was plenty of time to sleep between flights, and there's plenty of fun to look forward to in the days ahead. In the midst of it all, inspiration.

THIS GUY

This picture cracked me the crap up. I don't know about you. Hilarious, really, but I also noticed the picture's description. "Have passion in everything you do! Even if it's just brushing your teeth!" This reminded of something. Not long ago, I scooped up one of my old Writer magazines. (Yeah, so I wanted to be an English major once upon a time.) What did I find? A quote from science fiction writer, Orson Scott Card.

"Your career is not your life. All good work is worthy, and fame is whimsically bestowed. Those who bestow fame are rarely fair or wise in how they bestow it." He encourages us not to be the best, "because being the best is not up to you." Being good matters most. "Being 'good' is entirely up to you, regardless of how others see you."

First of all, Orson Scott Card. I haven't read them myself, but have heard nothing but good reviews regarding his books. I've also had the honor of meeting him in person at a writers' convention. He has a brilliant mindset, made obvious by his quotation and upstanding personality. Fame isn't everything--least of all, something we can control. I know Orson's a writer, but this idea can be applied to all walks of life.

I use to be obsessed with "fame," aka: popularity. I think everyone can say they've dreamed about it once or twice. Who wouldn't like their name in lights? This turned into a pretty self-destructive thing over time. I didn't have a Hollywood star out of high school for some reason. But what hat are these names drawn from? Who picks them out and lights them up? Fame is granted through unpredictable acts of fate. Crazy. So, is it worth it? Nah.

Be yourself. If there's one thing I've learned, it's how to be myself and do what I want. Everyone has their own opinion, so what's the point of following their rules when you can make your own? We can't let fame and fortune--nice as it would be--overshadow what's important: that you love what you do. I've seen one too many people forget that.

Off the soap box. Promise not to get deep on you often, but hey, we've all got something that drives us. About time I shared my something with you. Thanks for listening.

NOW GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!!!

. . . after checking out knixman on Instagram.
And Orson Scott Card's quotations in The Writer magazine, Guide to Fiction Writing.