Adopting What's Cool

One thing I like to take to heart is the process of using what is cool and discarding what is lack luster. There is no end to cool creations to choose from it's all about what inspires us at our core. The whole does not have to be used, if only a portion does not fall short it does not have to be all discarded.

The US is a prime example of this principle in action, we take what we consider cool from any culture and use it as our own. Food, clothing, entertainment, and much more is imported and shared inspiring many. Thanks to the technology of today we are connected globally and can find all sorts of cool creations from around the world.

With my art I try to capture what I love about anime and super hero comics without any of the "cartoony" proportions of the east or western cliches that don't appeal to me. There is so much to influence our tastes so we have to be discerning and true to ourselves. Sure we develop our own style, but it's certainly influenced by what we love.

Being creative isn't about being original, it's all about expressing ourselves and making something we love. Absorbing what we find cool and reusing it in our own creations is an act of love and should never be anything else. Consuming all these wonderful things and never using them is a waste just think about all the cool things you can do with what you love!

The Least is Greatest

So much is life reflects the truth that the least is greatest and the greatest is least. The knowledge and power that so many seek result in the least reward. Those who live in love know the greatest reward with the least worldly cost.

The least of things with a meaning is worth far more than the greatest of things without. The pursuit of money for instance is an example of something that is supposedly great but is just a means to an end. The pursuit of love and spiritual fulfillment on the other hand is something with great meaning but takes the least to get started since we already have what we need within.

The love of creation starts as an inspirational spark within and builds as we express and creates a chain reaction that inspires others. The least is the seed that grows into a fruitful tree with infinite branches. The greatest is the fulfillment and love that we experience from creation.

Remember it is the small acts of kindness that keep great darkness at bay. Our path may seem the least to us but in the end it can have the greatest effect. When choosing to drink from the cup of life make the choice from the heart instead of from knowledge and power and you will soon realize you were meant for greater things.

Momma's Boy

A mother's love is one of the greatest feelings in the world, the bond formed between mother and child should never be broken. The first instance of love known to us should never be forgotten and should never fade. A mother's love is a reflection of God's love.

As a son I strive to never let my mom down, always make her proud, and do my very best to make her life better. I feel guilty when my busy schedule leaves little time for me to visit, but she never makes a fuss over it. As a son I have to try my best and hope for the best following my heart along the way.

My mom believes in me and always has, she would brag about my achievements when I thought little of them. My mom protected me from literal serpents as a toddler, we lived in an area teaming with snakes and would make sure my curiosity did not lead me to the edge of the water where the moccasins would swim. My mom made sure I always had plenty when there was little, usually at a sacrifice to herself, she was always be there to comfort me and wash away the anxieties of life.

Now that I'm older it's my turn to protect her from the serpents of the world. To provide a better life for my mom would fill my heart with great content, she certainly deserves it. No matter the future, good or bad, I will always be Momma's boy.

Conquering Self-Doubt

Self-doubt can be a real obstacle when you are trying to move forward toward your dream. It takes a lot of willpower to overcome what has been taught to us by conditioning throughout the years. For a good portion of my life I had lots of self-doubt and self-esteem issues but worked through them when I realized there was a problem.

When my creative passion grew to the point where I wanted to explore visual art I was full of self-doubt thinking I didn't have the talent. The funny thing about passion is that even in the face of self-doubt I couldn't give up. I bought my first sketch book and started drawing, ever since I have been using every free moment I have to create, regardless if I think the results are good enough or not I can't stop.

There are many ways to overcome self-doubt, you can focus on the positive for instance everyone has strengths and weaknesses we have to know ourselves in order to grow. Realizing that every skill has to be developed is essential, talents have to be used and sharpened. Not many people are good at something on their first try and only those who keep trying succeed.

Having supportive friends is a good way to build confidence and destroy self-doubt. Avoid toxic people, don't rely on validation, and gracefully accept constructive criticism so that you may learn from it. Trust in your heart so that your self-doubt does not steal your dreams from you, know the difference between love and pride.