As 2009 slowly fades into the review mirror of time I ask all of you to take a moment to pause and reflect. Let your minds eye relive the blessings you received, and your conscience mind reflect on the lessons learned from the challenges you overcame. As the saying goes, "The past is history, the future a mystery and today is a gift which is why it is called the present."
With my own tendency to reside within the extremes, I must admit that finding that balance between envisioning the future and living in the present difficult. I usually find myself either hyper-focused on the planning and strategy of moving forward, or the tactical implementation there of. As I reflect on the blessings of 2009 those that stand out most are the relationships gained, many of which through social media.
Some amazing men and women have come into my life. Each of which have served to enrich it in their own unique way and make me a better man. For most of my adult life I have believed that you can only rise to the level of your association and I take this opportunity to thank all of you for helping to elevate me. Some of the most notable influence's in my life are my good friend and Bellevue Tweet-up Co-Founder Jean Luc David; Rod Brooks who unbeknownst to him has been a bit of an unofficial mentor, my confidants and advisers Mr. John Kelso & Miss Leanne Underwood; the entire Stigmare team, and many more too numerous to mention.
Through the many trials I was required by the universe to endure over the last year these individuals were right there by my side helping to propel me forward. I do not resent these trials as everything happens for a reason, and as a dear friend once told me, "the strongest blades are forged in the harshest kilns."
2010 holds a great promise of better days ahead personally and professionally. I'm happy to say that Stigmare has quite the pipeline going right now. Emerald City Fashion Week has had a renaissance of its own and is driving forward. A little different than the original concept, but a much more industry centric vision that will last the test of time. Though 2009 was ripe with heartache, the universe has blessed me with the opportunity to make right a wrong of 15 years ago.
Take stock of your trials as they are ultimately what truly defines you. It is only by knowing what we don't want that we can ever truly determine that which we do. A friend commented that it must be nice to know with absolute certainty what is going to happen in your life. To which I replied I am sometimes wrong, but you can't find your way around Chicago with a map of Detroit. If you don't know what you want out of life how can you ever seriously expect to achieve it?
My vision is ever evolving, as any living entity should, but it is still an absolute in my mind. My trip to Houston over New Years Eve clarified a vision I thought was lost some 15-20 years ago. A time in my life when I hid behind masks of bravado and believed emotions and sentiment to be a weakness. I lost something very dear to me back then which has been a gray cloud over my head, and shadowy thought in the back of my mind ever since. The joy I have felt since this gift was returned to me by the universe is unparalleled.
To honor this gift I continue to build my enterprises and bring my vision to life. They are but the means to the end of presenting proper homage to this gift. I still sometimes struggle with whether I am worthy of such a thing, but in our insecurities we find those opportunities to advance ourselves. They expose those parts of us that are scared or weak that need healing so that we can again be whole as we were in our youth without a care and concerned not with the judgment of others.
2010 holds a great promise of better days ahead personally and professionally. I'm happy to say that Stigmare has quite the pipeline going right now. Emerald City Fashion Week has had a renaissance of its own and is driving forward. A little different than the original concept, but a much more industry centric vision that will last the test of time. Though 2009 was ripe with heartache, the universe has blessed me with the opportunity to make right a wrong of 15 years ago.
Take stock of your trials as they are ultimately what truly defines you. It is only by knowing what we don't want that we can ever truly determine that which we do. A friend commented that it must be nice to know with absolute certainty what is going to happen in your life. To which I replied I am sometimes wrong, but you can't find your way around Chicago with a map of Detroit. If you don't know what you want out of life how can you ever seriously expect to achieve it?
My vision is ever evolving, as any living entity should, but it is still an absolute in my mind. My trip to Houston over New Years Eve clarified a vision I thought was lost some 15-20 years ago. A time in my life when I hid behind masks of bravado and believed emotions and sentiment to be a weakness. I lost something very dear to me back then which has been a gray cloud over my head, and shadowy thought in the back of my mind ever since. The joy I have felt since this gift was returned to me by the universe is unparalleled.
To honor this gift I continue to build my enterprises and bring my vision to life. They are but the means to the end of presenting proper homage to this gift. I still sometimes struggle with whether I am worthy of such a thing, but in our insecurities we find those opportunities to advance ourselves. They expose those parts of us that are scared or weak that need healing so that we can again be whole as we were in our youth without a care and concerned not with the judgment of others.
Thank you for stepping into the space of opening up, and recognizing that for us all to move forward it is necessary that we grow individually and collectively.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky am I to have become a part of your world ;)
Emotions have been given a tough row to hoe with lots of negative beliefs surrounding them. I Join you in the journey of self discovery and self actualization.
Steve- two things I admire about you.
ReplyDeleteYou've dedicated yourself to passion and progress regardless of what others say.
You've also chosen to go after markets where there will still be customers as other markets are crashing.
I enjoy following your story.