I have everything a man could want in his personal life. Everything.
I’ve come to terms with certain things in my professional life. Having recently attended my 20th high school reunion has kinda helped these terms along more.
I will never be rich and famous in the conventional sense and I’m more than fine with that. I don’t give a toss about fancy cars or swimming pools… expensive food, clothes or jewelry. I am proud to be a working stiff. I am a well educated, blue collar cartoonist with angst in his blood and ink on his jeans… one could do a lot worse in life.
The fact of the matter is this: being the well educated, blue collar cartoonist is who I’ve ALWAYS wanted to be. Not many people in life get to say that. Those that get to where I am; who are doing and being who they’ve always wanted to be, can easily take that for granted…especially when you’re on the inside looking out.
It’s always been hard, but it’s never been work to me. Drawing day after day is just what you have to do. I don’t question it, I just do it.
It really hit me while responding to an email from someone seeking my advice. Nearly 20 years into this and it still amazes me that someone would ask ME for advice. I’m still asking for it myself–which is the way that it should be. Once you think you know everything about something, you don’t get it, and you never will.
A phrase I used off the cuff in my response, completely created out of thin air, will now be my new mantra.
There’s nothing wrong with always being an opening act…as long as you always keep playing.
This doesn’t mean I will stop trying so hard and that’s it. No, no, no, no. It means that the work will be just as important as it ever has been. The hard work gets you there. The harder work KEEPS you there.
Lately, I feel as though I’ve been phoning it in. This happens from time to time… I’m sure I’ve mentioned it. Everyone needs a bit of course correction now and then. This mantra is that correction.
Honestly, I feel damn good today.
