6 Ways To Make Sure You Don't Hate Your Life.

It's been awhile & for that I am sorry. Mainly to myself because this blog is mostly for me to remember what was going on in my brain when I look back. Today I came across this video of a speech from Neil Gaiman and boy am I glad I did. I know that I am fortunate to be in love with what I do everyday, to (at times) be making things up as I go along, and to be making good art. I think it's important to make adjustments to your life if you don't like something...it's ok to make your own rules or to find your own way. 

If you wake up hating or dreading what you do everyday I challenge you to get up in the morning, put on a pot of coffee and make a list of the top 5 things you enjoy doing. Things that bring you the most joy. Then marinate on ways you can spend a majority of your life doing those things and surviving. I know what some of you might be thinking...I've heard it before: "that's a fairytale life, Steph" "I have kids or a significant other I have to support" "I need an adult job that pays the bills I don't have time to do things that make me happy for my career. That's all uncertain and unpredictable. I just need a normal job." I read this quote from Ellen once that stuck with me and ultimately was the catalyst for me handing in my resignation letter: "Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it." If that sums you up (like it did me at the time) and you are happy with it then press on friend and keep doing what you're doing! But if the thought of that makes you cringe in your bone marrow...make a change.

You only get one shot at life...could be 20 years long or 80 years long. Make it a good one that you're proud of and do your best to make it something you actually enjoy.

"I tended to do anything as long as it felt like an adventure and to stop when it felt like work. Which meant life did not feel like work."

"Make interesting mistakes, break rules...make the world more interesting for your being here. Make good art."

Life Lesson #149.

“There comes a time in your journey when you start making choices from a very different place. And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom and love, it’s the right choice." -Angeles Arrien

Can I just say that I am so inspired and thrilled about the future of my career. So many amazing things have happened over the past couple of weeks that are confirmation to me that I am in the right place and have made good decisions to further my business. I needed to hear this quote....it reminded me to stay focused on things that are going to last. I am making a lot of important life decisions and I am realizing more and more how crucial it is to invest my time & energy into things that are inspiring, positive and healthy. 

Here is a little glimpse into some future blogs:

1. My last minute creative trip to Nashville.

2. Details on shooting for the WFF Conference 2012 at the Sheraton in Dallas, TX.

3. New love ballad YouTube Vids. Follow my channel HERE.

4. My fave work spots in Dallas.

Timing & Donald Miller.

I only recommend books every once in awhile. This one...really came into my life at the right time. It's been on my bookshelf for over a year now. One evening in 2009 I was dodging cars in Greenwich Village in New York heading to meet some friends for dinner at Benito One in Little Italy. I was on one of my "solo adventures"...exploring the city all alone. I loved these trips. They were dangerous. They were full of life. They are the ones that seem to stick out in my mind the most. My plan was to eat dinner, have a glass of wine then I was off to see new things. After dinner, I quickly ducked into Barnes & Noble and ran right to this book...I had been wanting to pick it up. I went to a local coffee shop and sat myself down for hours. Reading. When later my friend Andrew, whom I had met on my last trip to the city, met me and he talked about how he was thinking about studying abroad in Buenos Aires. It was only a spark in his eye then. I got back home (California at the time) and got busy. This happened for a reason. I needed that section of the book in November 2009...shortly after that, I quit my 9-5pm job and decided to start something new, to begin a new chapter in my story. Recently, I saw this book on my bookshelf...so much has changed. I am now living alone in Dallas, TX...doing work that I love, away from my family, but meeting amazing people and seeing new places everyday. I read the last half of the book last night and this morning. Over a year later and it's EXACTLY what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. I went back to the city a few months ago and Andrew and I said our goodbyes, we barely caught each other...he was off to Beunos Aires to write more of his story. I admire that in people...it takes courage. I challenge myself daily to live a more meaningful story, and so should you....anyway that you can.

I really suggest getting "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and reading it. I want to hear your story...I want to discuss this book with someone. I'll be reading it again soon. (click the image to buy)

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

life lesson #27- don't take yourself too seriously.

a list of strange things that were said this week:

"i choked on a nut! correction: i choked on nut dust"

me: "sometimes jordan and i like to say half words... like obvi"
not me: "that could get you in trouble sometimes"
me: "oh yeah? how so?"
not me: "for example if you were to say i love dictionaries"

"is that a vitamin in your pocket or are you just happy to see the chickens?"

life lesson #444....

don't judge people based off of hearsay...get to know them, if you see their true colors and regret it later then at least you made your own choice and you know it's accurate. Sure, take the critics opinions in the back of your mind...but don't let those opinions make up your mind for you. If you find that your own opinions differ from the critics, then gradually take away the negative things others have said.

a couple days ago my friend asked me, "Steph if someone was to have warned you that a situation would turn out badly...would you have listened, or done something different?" I said no probably not, i like to figure things out for myself. If someone else was right, in the end...i will gladly go up to them and say, "i am sorry, you were right...now i know for myself, and now i am stronger."

PS: I wrote a new song, the vid is on facebook...if you have one, check it out.

i had this song stuck in my head tonight.

life lesson #10...

before leaving home, always check your kids for stray fruit snacks wedged in random places.....

life lesson #8...

"using your head AND your heart at the same exact time works wonders." -me




the memory tree.

life lesson #8...

what to do on a foggy day in Southern California....

1. put on a scarf or pashmina and beanie.

2. roll down windows

3. turn on heater (preferably set on the feet region)

4. turn up Bryan Adams (preferably the song "she's only happy when she's dancing"

5. go to your local coffee shop (preferably gypsy den)

6. take your sketch book and pencils.

7. order a delicious coffee (preferably in a mug)

8. write your thoughts down from that entire day and sketch around the outside

9. have friends meet with you and collaborate. Talk about art and life in general.

10. wrap up your day by shopping at urban outfitters and a local thrift store.

i got through 1-5 today...but then proceed to work. But i did the rest last weekend:)

life lesson #7...

Scare people often....it's good for their heart.

scaring the sister


scaring a sister part III. .

life lesson #2...

If you decide to walk 3 dogs on a busy street do not put your rollerskates on...you have no control and will fall in the intersection.

word of the day: idiosyncrasy

life lesson #1...

don't sit down to pee when you have stuff in your back pocket, a credit card could fall into the toilet.

word of the day: obtuse