Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.
Author | Photographer | CG Artist | Filmmaker
As an artist/creator, there will always be people who want what you have to offer for nothing. And even if you give it away for free, it won’t be enough or they won’t be happy with it. Don’t let these people distract you from those who see the true value in what you do.
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) December 27, 2018
It’s OK to struggle. Nearly anyone who ever achieves anything great has to overcome obstacles & truly work for what they want. And remember that mistakes are some of the best teachers. Always adapt to what life has to offer & keep pushing forward.
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) December 27, 2018
The times that humanity makes you want to crawl under a rock are not the times to remain quiet and do nothing. They are precisely the times that people are needed to leadbyexample with acts that demonstrate the best of what we all have to offer.
— Zero Dean (@ZeroDean) December 26, 2018
For some people, this is one of the most difficult times of year. Some smile & pretend everything is ok when it’s really not. I’ve been there.
People who are in the darkest places may tell you that they’re good when you ask because that’s the socially appropriate answer to “how are you?”, not, “I’m really struggling.”
Amongst the fake smiles & insincere cheer, if you truly care about people, take the extra moment to express it to those you come in contact with in a meaningful way.
Your time, attention, and a listening ear are some of the best gifts you can give to someone and they cost nothing.
Silent appreciation is easily confused with silence.
If someone has done or is doing something that you appreciate, respect, or admire, take the time to acknowledge it in a meaningful way. It is an extremely easy and effective action that amplifies good feelings & positivity and helps to ensure that the things you appreciate continue.
Related:
You can be someone who looks for and complains about what they don’t like — or you can be someone who looks for and encourages the things they do like. One of these things will nearly always leave you feeling better than the other.
You can wish that more people did a certain thing — or you can actively begin showing appreciation to those who already do. And once again, one will nearly always leave you feeling better than the other.
The fact is, how we approach and seek to overcome problems can leave us feeling better or worse. Combating a negative situation with more negativity is rarely effective. But seeking ways to fight negativity in a positive and empowering way often is.
Encouraging the types of things and behaviors we want to see more of not only leaves us feeling more empowered than complaining does, it helps set a positive example for others to follow. This, in turn, helps to create more of the type of people and behaviors we want to see more of and less of the type of people and behaviors we don’t.
Encouragement is extremely powerful in that it not only nurtures the people you give it to, it nurtures the very thing you are encouraging. And this, in turn, brings into the world more of what you would like to see.
• • •
And remember:
1. It’s ok to show appreciation for things that you feel should be or are relatively common. People love recognition for the good things that they do.
2. Perception isn’t always reality. Just because you think someone appears successful or isn’t the type of person (or company) that could use positive feedback doesn’t mean your assessment is accurate. When everyone assumes their feedback won’t be significant to the people (or companies) they give it to, few people provide feedback. So instead of the perception that someone is being buried with praise, the opposite is true.
The point is, always take the time to show meaningful appreciation for the things that you like regardless of how “liked” you think they are.
Silent appreciation is easily confused with silence.
Related:
Be mindful of where you invest your time. Try to focus more on things that add value and less on things that simply make moments go by.
Time is one of the few things in life that we can never get more of. Be diligent in determining when it is in your best interest to avoid situations & activities that do nothing but put off things you could be doing that actually make a positive difference in your life (or someone else’s).
Remember, by changing your priorities you change your life. When you prioritize your time to those things that add real value to your career, your education, your relationships and your mental & physical health, your life responds by giving you more of the rewarding things that you seek and less of the negative things that you don’t.
Above image is an excerpt from: my book series
Always remember to keep your eyes on your goals and the steps you can take to achieve them. Focus less on what you don’t have or what you can’t do or what others are doing.
Yes, it can be difficult not noticing what others are up to or how “easy” some people seem to have it or how successful they appear. Just know, perception isn’t always reality. And if you do notice others, then use what you see as motivation to push forward.
Remember, you’re living your life and walking your own path, not someone else’s. Just because someone else is making progress towards their goals is no reason for you to stop making progress towards your own.
Change your strategy if you have to and take time to rest if you must, but don’t stop. Every little step you take towards your goals is progress. Keep going.
Above image is an excerpt from: Comparison is the thief of joy — from my book
Achieving personal goals series:
Related:
You can be a kind person and still be the kind of person who yells profanity at the car that cuts you off in traffic. Being kind and not tolerating bullshit are not mutually exclusive. Being a kind person doesn’t mean you can’t verbalize your disapproval for disrespect.
Crossing paths with idiots is never an excuse to act badly and you should always strive to set a good example, but it doesn’t mean you have to stay silent or put up with abuse.
Sometimes the biggest favor you can do someone is to stay calm and speak the truth. And sometimes that truth is, “You’re being an asshole and here’s why…” At other times it may mean not giving your time and attention to someone who doesn’t respect it.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be a Zen Master. And you certainly don’t have to tolerate bullshit. Just lead with kindness and always do your best. Even when others are not at their own.
