The Four Steps to Enlightenment (Illustrated)

Simple Slogan Makes Success a Cinch

Upon entering my first semester of college, I was invited with the rest of the freshmen art students to the senior art student’s exhibit. It is a great way to inspire well adjusted freshmen as to what they will soon be capable of. When I entered the gallery with the other students, I took a look around at all the incredible artwork on display in the gallery and thought, “What’s the use?” The enormity of ever being able to accomplish what they had done was too much for me to bear. So I left and joined the Military.  I figured this act of patriotism would mask my cowardice. During my five years of active duty I learned a valuable tool for success; a silly little slogan, “inch by inch, life is a cinch, by the yard it’s hard.”  Discharged from active duty and armed with this slogan I had the courage to pick up where I had left off and re-apply to an Art School.

After being accepted to an Art School, this slogan became a regular mantra of mine. Everyday when I felt like giving up because the goal seemed too incredible to reach, I would remind myself of this simple truth, “inch by inch, life’s a cinch, by the yard it’s hard.” It calmed me down.  It deactivated my self-imposed pressure.  I could focus simply on what I was doing at that moment and nothing more. This prevented me from getting caught up in the overwhelming thoughts of where I should be and everything I needed to do to get there. I began to just enjoy finishing each assignment, one by one, inch by inch.

It did not take long for this method to start paying off. I began receiving scholarships and awards for my work. And while still a student, I was invited to become an honorary member of the NJ Art Directors Club. At the Club’s reception, one of the members, who was also a college professor, asked if I would be available to speak to her students on the secret to my success. I was flattered and without hesitation said, “Of course!” When she told me where she taught I was blown away.  She was a Professor of Art at the very school I had left defeated by my own outlook years before. How ironic, I left that school overwhelmed by the burden of my own doubts and I got to return as an inspiration. I brought hope to a new generation of art students sharing the secret of my success; a silly little slogan that when applied brings so much more than expected. Inch by inch, life really is a cinch and a lot more fun too.

(click on image to enlarge)

It was so incredible that I saved one of the posters that hung in the Student Center.

Today It’s OK to Fall Back & Have a MeltDown

I love decorating our home with unique items.  Today we got an extra hour, thanks to daylight savings time.  I love to “fall back.”  So I used my “free” hour enjoying a melt down in our living room.

Recently, “MeltDown,” a trendy restaurant closed it’s doors.  They were known for their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.  MeltDown was walking distance from our home located right next door to my favorite Starbucks in downtown Culver City.  Lori and I loved their motto, “It’s OK to have a MeltDown!”  Not because of the double entendre but because it helped us justify eating a delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, without too much guilt.

I was sad to see them close their doors.  While the contractors were doing the demo I asked them what was in store for the old “MeltDown” sign.  They already began to tear down most of it but the large letters spelling out “MeltDown” still remained.  The foreman, Todd, said that it was going to be trashed with the rest of the old fixtures.  Since that was the case, I asked if it be alright for me to have the sign once they got it down.  He said, “Sure.”

A few days later Todd’s right hand man, Lester, had the letters safely put aside for me.  I asked him what I owed him and surprisingly he said, “Nothing, we were taking ‘em down anyway.”  I loaded the letters in my car, zipped over to the ATM and returned to hand Lester forty-bucks.  He tried to deny my offer so I explained giving him the forty-bucks would make me feel better.  “At least take it to buy the guys some beer after work.” I said.  He smiled thanked me and took the money.

I went home excited about my new unique purchase.  The “MeltDown” font in orange and yellow had a retro mid-century era feel that would work perfectly in our home.  So that’s where it went, on the wall over our couch between two windows in our living room.  Lori loves it and so do I.  What did you do with your extra hour today?