free hand sketch & Photoshop by Jonathan Harrison
All the flowers in the field of hours / Have withered away / And the sky that used to light our lives/ Is ashen grey As the clouds kiss the faultline/ And look back as if to say…/ “There’s nothing to see here…”/ There’s nothing to feel here And our dreams left like children by the wayside…
Lyrics from Seaside, by the Echoing Green
Why did you give up?
Have you even been pursuing a dream or a passion, only to have someone shoot it down?
It can be crushing to give up on a dream. We all have different reasons for why we might call it quits, but the worst reason if giving up because of what others might think.
So what if you they don’t like what you have to say – you may lose a fan, but you’ll keep your dream.
Back in college I had short lived dreams of being a graphic artist. Drawing used to be my number one hobby. Growing up, every time my family went for a ride in the car, I would take along a clipboard with blank paper and my set of pencils. In the afternoons when my family took their daily nap, I would stay up drawing. In the evening while the family gathered in the living room, I would be drawing, often ignoring the TV just to finish up a sketch.
In high school, I spent almost as much time drawing, and maybe even more time once I discovered Photoshop on the computer. I even placed 1st in the state during my Junior year in the FACCS competition, in the category of Digital Media. While in college, I took a part time job as a graphic artist with a local start up company – but it did not look like I hoped it would. Suddenly my hobby became a hassle. I spent most of my time undoing my vision for a particular project, and redoing things to match my bosses’ ideas. The final product was not as dynamic or as interesting as where I tried to take things. When I would get home, I just felt so discouraged that drawing was the last thing I wanted to do.
So I gave up.
So ended my career in the digital arts.
I feel for you buddy. I’ve been there . . . I dreamt of being a great bread baker. I spent every waking minute obsessing about bread. Reading about it. Making recipes. Studying the science of it.
I got a job at a local artisan bakery. It wasn’t exactly the best company to work for, but it let me indulge my passion. And indulge it I did . . .
Until I was offered an apprenticeship with the greatest bread baker in the country. My dream. Finally come true.
But I refused.
I declined his offer. The single greatest opportunity I’ve ever had in my life. Because of fear. Because of Resistance.
It was all downhill after that. Eventually I just quit and moved on to something else.
But there’s still hope. The passion never left, it just got buried in anger and bitterness. Now I’m exploring new opportunities in baking. I don’t know where they’ll lead, if anywhere, but I’m slowly coming back ’round to the right path.
I see no reason why it can’t be the same with you. Clearly you have talent. Just go with it . . . see where it leads.
Cheers!
Trevor – thank you so much for sharing you story here. It is exciting to hear that you are moving in a great direction today – the key thing you said: “The passion never left.”
That’s powerful.
Thank you for your kind words – I have been able to integrate my talents into other areas and put them to good use.
I enjoy your blogs Jonathan What a great drawing! Talent like this may come back to serve you later in life…who knows? I gave up the dream of being a personal trainer about 17 years ago I took all the classes–my instructor told me I would be very good at it–and then I never went to take the test!! Oooyyyy!! Could kick myself! Fear is always the culprit for me…the what if’s…What if I can’t make a living? What if I’m not good enough…even fear of success. I know I am blessed to do the work I do today, but what if…?
Fear is a liar, and deserves to be punched in the face (to reference Jon Acuff).
I am learning to daily accept that “Oops, that didn’t work” is far, far better than “what if?”
In grade and high school I created video comedies. The kind of things that go viral.
I loved every minute of it. From creation, to acting, to editing and final production and reaping the benefits of the audience laughter. The top moment was when I created the pep rally video (I was never into school spirit). After hearing laughter throughout the video, the entire crowd stood up and clapped. I almost cried. I remember that moment so vividly.
I gave it up, because I was good at math and science, and there wasn’t any opportunities in video. Oddly, I married a woman who majored in video and graphic design (LOL)
I’m glad it happened though. If I pursued video, I would not be the same person I am today. And I really like me.
Good point Alex, fun story too. I am always looking for ways to incorporate some of my talents and hobbies in to other areas I am passionate about as well. I am sure that you will sttill find a place for video in your future!
Oh, and I forgot to ask, Do you watch anime? If so, we may have found more common ground
<=loves manga and reads every week (my secret addiction)
yes, but a lot less since the birth of my son.
I see missed opportunity all over my past – but not one specific dream I gave up on. I took the path of least resistance a few times, now I’m fighting the resistance right with you.
Great to be resisting the resistance along side you! I see you doing a lot more than just fighting the resistance – it has every reason to sleep with one eye open around you!