by Pam Terrell
As Jeff was writing his blog entitled “Can a Negative Experience be Positive?” a couple weeks ago, I was busy creating a new design for T-shirts, bags, etc. I didn’t see it at the time, but now realize our topics are intertwined.
I am a graphic artist and designed a line of inspirational greeting cards in 2009. Although they are usually purchased and given to someone, several of them contain phrases that deeply touch my heart. I used to choose one of the cards, place it on my desk and allow the peaceful picture and words to inspire me throughout the day.
One of those days, I gazed at my card entitled “Journey", which reads:
Have no worries if you don’t see where your journey is taking you.
Each day take one step toward
what you want your life
to look like
to feel like
to become.
An invisible lightbulb flickered above my head showing me my sayings printed onto plaques. That was what I wanted for my next creative endeavor.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. The cost to print, stock and sell the products was not an option for me at that time.
Well, it’s 9 years later and technology has evolved tenfold! In fact, an out of town friend asked about purchasing my greeting cards last month so I decided to look into online selling options. Walah! I found a website that would allow me to upload my own designs, they would print and ship them and I would get a percentage of the sale. Although the royalty amount is nominal, this option enables me to offer my creative works to a greater audience without the inventory component.
I uploaded my holiday greeting cards first, then noticed their variety of products offered. I scrolled through the website until my stomach jumped—they had plaques! I could print whatever I wanted onto a plaque! Oh my, I remembered my vision from many years ago. Within 24 hours, I designed three plaques!
Next, I noticed t-shirts. Although I’m not a big wearer of them, I do like zen quotes on sleeveless workout gear for Pilates class or the gym. That light bulb appeared again, showing me that I could create my own design for printing. Wow! But what would it say? Or look like?
The next morning during our 20 minute HU contemplation, I got the words: "I am here for the experience". I knew this was to be on my first t-shirt design. I picked up my phone to jot down those exact words in my writing app. Back to the HU, I tried to envision how it would look. What font? All the words on one line? Two lines? All words the same size? What if there was a symbol added? What could it be? What had meaning to me?
Then I “saw” the completed design. It was to include the tree of life symbol which I have always resonated with because it reflects a connection in all things above and below, “I am here for the” above the symbol and “experience” below it. I continued with the HU very excited for the assistance I had received.
I am a graphic artist and designed a line of inspirational greeting cards in 2009. Although they are usually purchased and given to someone, several of them contain phrases that deeply touch my heart. I used to choose one of the cards, place it on my desk and allow the peaceful picture and words to inspire me throughout the day.
One of those days, I gazed at my card entitled “Journey", which reads:
Have no worries if you don’t see where your journey is taking you.
Each day take one step toward
what you want your life
to look like
to feel like
to become.
An invisible lightbulb flickered above my head showing me my sayings printed onto plaques. That was what I wanted for my next creative endeavor.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. The cost to print, stock and sell the products was not an option for me at that time.
Well, it’s 9 years later and technology has evolved tenfold! In fact, an out of town friend asked about purchasing my greeting cards last month so I decided to look into online selling options. Walah! I found a website that would allow me to upload my own designs, they would print and ship them and I would get a percentage of the sale. Although the royalty amount is nominal, this option enables me to offer my creative works to a greater audience without the inventory component.
I uploaded my holiday greeting cards first, then noticed their variety of products offered. I scrolled through the website until my stomach jumped—they had plaques! I could print whatever I wanted onto a plaque! Oh my, I remembered my vision from many years ago. Within 24 hours, I designed three plaques!
Next, I noticed t-shirts. Although I’m not a big wearer of them, I do like zen quotes on sleeveless workout gear for Pilates class or the gym. That light bulb appeared again, showing me that I could create my own design for printing. Wow! But what would it say? Or look like?
The next morning during our 20 minute HU contemplation, I got the words: "I am here for the experience". I knew this was to be on my first t-shirt design. I picked up my phone to jot down those exact words in my writing app. Back to the HU, I tried to envision how it would look. What font? All the words on one line? Two lines? All words the same size? What if there was a symbol added? What could it be? What had meaning to me?
Then I “saw” the completed design. It was to include the tree of life symbol which I have always resonated with because it reflects a connection in all things above and below, “I am here for the” above the symbol and “experience” below it. I continued with the HU very excited for the assistance I had received.
When our contemplation was complete I looked at the quote: "I am here for the experience". Those 6 words spoke loud and clear. Everything I go through has value, whether it is seen as positive or negative like Jeff wrote about. Each experience presents itself as a lesson, to teach us something big or small, painful or uplifting. Categorizing them doesn’t even matter. It is about the experience.
Many people wonder, “why am I here?”. My quote answers the age old question quite succinctly: "I am here for the EXPERIENCE".
Many people wonder, “why am I here?”. My quote answers the age old question quite succinctly: "I am here for the EXPERIENCE".
RSS Feed