Persistence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.” – Calvin Coolidge

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I was asked to calligraphy the above quote for someone over twenty years ago. I liked it enough to list it on my “Etsy” and recently got an 11 x 14 matted print order on it, and it sells from time to time. I consider that “derivative” art PRODUCT sales. I do a creative image at some point and it sells and re-sells…if things are “working correctly.”

It’s now almost 10 pm. I’ve had a full day putting my attention on matters I wish were not even an issue, so that I could do my “work” and move forward.

I think of races and endurance. Like that quote indicates, too many people simply give up too soon. They aren’t in it for the long haul. They can’t live with risk and uncertainty, even though they may “step out” to try something quite daunting and unusual. Or, maybe they simply don’t have the focus and endurance and work ethic required to succeed as an entrepreneur.

I don’t know, but I do know that often wars are won simply by outlasting the “opposition.” When one is in a “war of attrition” (on the receiving end of oppositional forces), it is quite challenging and the faint-hearted may be tempted to surrender as they see their resources diminishing.

Over the years, many people will tell me that I am “so resourceful.”

That’s the honest truth. “Resourcefulness” has little to do with money and capital, per se, but, how you play your hand in the game. Like in tennis, you are going to get some “difficult” balls to return, that run you all over the tennis court, many requiring a back-handed (from your left, weaker side) return volley.

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I’m about to look forward to getting to “relax” for as long as I can withstand tonight…maybe as late as 2 am, and then, hopefully sleeping until about 10 am before I start it all again…

By “relax” I mean I now turn my remaining energy/focus/time as I typically do each night to sitting in front of the TV.

I don’t often watch movies or sitcoms, rather, I listen to quality talks/information about topics and the state of our nation on YouTube. Yep….no mindless mainstream “media” with their so-called fact checkers and “misinformation” blocks.

This calls for endurance, to educate oneself, too, and not simply bury a head in the sand or rely upon superficial onslaughts (soundbites) of the constant information that bombards us. It may even require us to READ!

As I do this, because I’m sitting on a couch, it tricks me into thinking I am relaxing. However, this is the time I bring projects I can continue on my lap or laptop…while listening…

Working in Photoshop can be somewhat mindless, relaxing and more fun that other tasks I tackle earlier in the morning or day.

Tonight, I will be doing fine outlining on these illustrations with black paint, and then continue working on scanning/joining these pieces in Photoshop on my laptop.

Thanks for reading.