F.A.M.E. is a wonderful organization that promotes the arts in elementary schools.  It has defied the typical life expectancy of non-profit organizations - founded over 20 years ago by an art and a music teacher from Fort Wayne, Indiana.  It recognizes that the arts are crucial for a child’s development and continues to promote this belief through annual festivals, programs, workshops, and a wonderful Summer camp. 

All too often what the politicians and bean-counters see as “extras” or “specials” are the first to be cut from a budget.  When we are surrounded by ideas and their creators, how can developing creativity and the imagination be non-essential? 

F.A.M.E., its supporters, students and participants disagree with limiting the arts for our children and hope you will too.

Check out their website, www.famearts.org and see how you can get involved, contribute to the cause, or just spread awareness.

As a father and a son, I see both sides of the coin.

I see more of the wisdom of “why my Dad did that” as if it’s becoming de-classified with each passing year.

I also realize I am my father’s son in the habits I’ve developed in parenting.

It’s a time fraught with discoveries, epiphanies, and more than a few “duh!” moments.

So it is at this time of year that I offer my unique perspective for keeping the holiday special in what may seem like an unconventional train of thought.  One advantage to indulging my rant is that these ideas are all cheap or free (and who’s not up for that in this “economy”?):

1) Dad loves YOU, not your gifts.  A good father gives presence, not presents.  The reverse is also true.  In the circle of life, we’re still social creatures and cling to as much human contact as possible.  Young children, spend time with Dad.  Adult children, If you live a great distance away, set a regular phone conversation as part of your routine.  If you can make the trip, DO IT. 

2)  What does Dad like to do?  Maybe you don’t know even as adult children, but doing something Dad wants to do - his call - is a great gift. And if you don’t like it, fake interest! (trust me, he does for you too sometimes)

3) Dad is an authority.  Note, I’m not saying THE authority or an authority on all things.  But there is a lot of wisdom to share and you can learn a lot about where you’re going if you know where you’ve been (or he has been, or grandpa has been, etc.)  So when you spend time together, listen to the wisdom and try to learn something new.  Kids, you may hear some great stories.  Adult kids, you can always filter later.  This does not have to be an annual-only thing.

3) Any questions?  Adult children, now’s your chance to get all those answers to “why?” and not “because I said so!” while making it a part of your holiday.  All other ages - accept the answer!  Dad will LOVE not arguing!

4) Tradition!  The holiday is a great reason to perpetuate or start a new one.  I have enjoyed many and look forward to repeating.  They don’t have to make sense to anyone else but you and Dad.

5) Peace, man!  One dad was asked every year what he wanted for Christmas.  The answer was always “wool socks and no fighting!”  I don’t know how many years he got what he asked for, but it works for any holiday.  Sometimes the best gift to give Dad is 24 hours of quiet.  Let him sleep in, let him fish, let him stare at the tube, let him nap, let him be!  There’s a lot of patience that’s grown in peace.  Teenagers are well aware of  “when” to ask Dad something - now’s your chance to bank a few extra points!

And when in doubt, make sure Dad knows - if nothing else - that you love and appreciate him.  Hugs are great and they don’t need to be repaired, replaced or even dusted!

It’s almost cliche’ thanks to the famous marketing campaign, but it’s a good challenge nonetheless.  Have you been heard or just listened to?

Many of us confuse “hearing” with “listening.”  When we check for understanding, especially in the download at many business meetings, the nod is all we look for.  It’s a pack mentality.  No one wants to admit weakness - who wants to admit they don’t “get it” and risk being the only one?  And when it’s crucial information and you can’t afford for the team not to understand, you need assurance.

Take a page out of a school teacher’s book - ask direct questions to confirm that everyone understands it the way YOU want them to.  Leave no doubt in your mind that the expected material is retained.  Check for note-takers, ask for an e-mail recap from select individuals - even solicit their opinion on the meeting.

You may even notice trends towards your leadership style in the way everyone responds.  Are you a leader your team feels comfortable discussing concerns with?  Do you promote leadership qualities in your team - such as questioning directions and challenging ideas?  Build character, not sheep.

Now tell me what I just said……

Another rant into how to trigger “IT” whenever you like.  I promise to be brief.

Have you ever tried to hold Jell-O in your hand?  The tighter you grip, the more it squishes through.  It makes for a stress reliever, but also is a metaphor for the creative process.

When you try to force “IT” when you don’t have “IT”, it’s just like that Jell-O - or maybe like a Chinese finger trap?  Both analogies work here.  The key is to relax.  The Jell-O stays, the fingers are released, your creative “flow” begins.

So let go and let flow!

To be sure, there are legitimate concerns and situations - many stemming from greed, many stemming from poor coincidental circumstances - but all seem to be depressing, frustrating, and hopeless.

I’ve been listening to “the economy” woes for 7 years now.  Of course we have tenuous moments.  Of course it’s relative to our standard of living.   Of course if can be overwhelming at times.  But every year has been better than the last for us.  Outside of ascribing it to living in a time of miracles and the favor of God, what reason can I give for it?

For argument’s sake, let me elucidate from a “pragmatic” view.  You can apply these challenges to your own career.  Most of them seem pretty universal to me:

1) Is your pride getting in the way?  Are you unwilling to do what it takes to survive and thrive?  Many people see certain occupations as “beneath them” while survivors find a new way (and sometimes a new career) that is more challenging and lucrative than anything they clung to in the past.

2) Are you in the wrong place?  Not just timing, but sometimes one has to admit that “this just isn’t my world”  Self-awareness - of one’s limitations, strengths, potential, and possibilities is wise.  Plant a tiger in the ocean and the top predator becomes prey. 

3) Do you fear change?  A definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect different results.  The only thing that doesn’t change IS change.  Why fight the obvious?  Deal with things - don’t just ignore them.  That’s where the growth occurs.

4) Get busy living or get busy dying!  Great quote.  You can be a victim or a victor.  Re-inventing yourself, learning a new skill, hanging out a new shingle, diversification in whatever form that works - but TRY.  Don’t accept this as the end of your life.  As children, I doubt any of us expected our grown-up selves to be in the situation we’re in now.

5) Why not?  The greatest success stories have had the greatest adversity.  The challenge hones and sharpens and great minds often focus on the progress - any amount possible.  “Can do” attitudes prevail.

Practice, practice, practice - it’s all very logical and a way to ride things out.  In the end, those that do will be far better than those that were simply a part of the pavement.

Have you heard the adage, “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me!” and ever thought a little more about it?

It’s not just applicable to your dealings with a single individual.  It also applies to your dealings with similar situations.

The incompetent, the apathetic, the clueless, the excuse-makers - all have similar personalities, tell-tale signs and m.o.’s that you should watch out for, recognize and change your tactics appropriately.

This applies to many areas.  “How many times must I tell you….?”  your parents would say and you, in your youth and blissful ignorance would try to answer - only to find that the count rolls on (and would for many years, right?) 

One definition of insanity is to do things the same way and expect different results.  While in your youth, it was probably your parents who were driven insane by your repetitive behavior, my message today also speaks to our ignoring our instincts.  Nature honed our survival “gut reactions” over millions of years - if we had ignored them, it’s arguable that our species would be extinct today.

So the next time you’re heard saying something like “you’re right, you’re right, I KNOW you’re right” (whether out loud to someone “telling you so” or to your own screaming conscience)  Make a resolution to stop the cycle of gullibility and step up to the next level in your own evolution.

Unless you’d be interested in a bridge I have for sale….

In my experience, there’s is a lot to be said for establishing strong business relationships despite any implied obligation.  “Customers for life” is a great credo.  Breeding loyalty, living by the Law of the Harvest and the Golden Rule.  If you’re not sure what these are, I’ll be happy to explain further (just let me know.)

Sadly, I have also been well educated that outside of such an approach to business, many folks subscribe to nepotism, “good ol’ boys” or other similar philosophies.  Sometimes it’s difficult to get an introduction.  People like their “circles” and one will feel thrown back to the popularity contest of high school.

At the risk of sounding jaded, I challenge you to examine your relationships and WHY you relate.  Is it just because you’re related?  Is it just because you share the same home town?  Is it just because you share the same faith?

All of these merit consideration, but should not be sole deciding factors.  A relationship of any kind should be mutually nurturing in whatever capacity it serves.  Your insurance agent may be a member of your church, but is he really looking out for your best interests?  Does he offer the best service and price?  When it comes to being a professional, IS HE?

Diplomacy in communication makes the difference between being liked and being respected.  It separates friends from associates, and “good feelings” from “weirdness”  Seek such wisdom and you won’t regret it in any relationship!

I have a daily mental arm wrestling match.

To be a professional artist means to have a good head for business.  Of course you could spend tens of thousands of dollars and hire someone(s) to represent you and handle all of your accounting, but let’s just assume you don’t want to.

So you have to juggle the mental state of conducting business and being creative.  This is the mental match I mentioned above.

It’s similar to the switch that occurs when working in different media, in fine arts vs. entertainment, or working on a private commission vs. a public location.

The end result is usually a lop-sided day - a lot of creating accomplished or a lot of networking/generating business.

Beware having too many of one and not enough of the other - especially on the business end of things.  It can be seductive in a way.  Before too long, what you represent can easily transcend into representations of itself.  Prints, giclee’s, photos, merchandising and all ways “milking” something you will have done years ago.

In our high-speed society, you may lose your endurance for bigger projects, more time-consuming endeavours, or being creative at all.

And before you know it, you WERE an artist.

In all things, balance.  Of course you have to pay the bills, but don’t forget your dreams in the process.

Did you know you’re being watched?

I don’t mean to foster paranoia, but it has been said (at least in public) that someone always sees EVERYTHING you do.  Whether or not it registers, they do anything with the information, or if they’ll even remember it remains to be seen.  I like to think that there exists the potential for greatness in everyone and I may be in the presence of the next famous (you fill in the blank.)  It staggers the imagination!

But it goes both ways.  Anyone who stands before the multitude - in a classroom, as a politician, in entertainment, etc. has an impact.  Aside from a few comedians and several country music singers, I don’t hear a lot of appreciation expressed.

I think part of living one’s faith, ideals, ethics or all-of-the-above means realizing the impact you have on all who perceive you.  I especially (at the risk of sounding cocky) like to reflect on my impact on children.  They are the future and how inspired or jaded they become has a lot to do with who they interact with. 

It’s really quite a responsibility and can even be heavy at times - especially if they all remember you but you’re terrible with names (like me - the flakiness in my family is legendary!)

So whether your destiny is great fame or “simply” to teach, be aware of those that follow you.  Whether their feedback is verbal or non-verbal, you are a key part in raising up or dashing the future.

Say “thank you” anytime you feel it - and expand on your feelings when you can.

Smile! Be at least happy to see whomever is THRILLED to see you!

Your personal life has NOTHING to do with their esteem.  Keep it out of your interaction.  For example, kids don’t care about your finances, marital situation, or even being late for work.  Check your problems at the door.

And embrace opportunities to go the extra mile and not just the bare minimum.  Givers gain!

Enjoy!

This one’s for the art teachers:

Despite the passion and endurance an art teacher may have, it’s hard to tell if you’re making an impact.  I don’t know a quality teacher who doesn’t need praise, recognition or some form of validation to keep from being depressed.  Especially with the “economy” and all the cuts, special area teachers are in a constant state of paranoia and (sadly) need to keep justifying their existence to the “powers that be”

I encourage you to look for non-verbal praise from your students.  Most visual artists are shy and simply don’t have the words or the courage to try and tell you how they feel.  It all goes into their artwork.

 I was no exception as a child.  I’m sure the role models that influenced me the most had no clue.  In fact, it wasn’t until adulthood that I was able to convey that sentiment to someone from my own family.

So look for smiles.  Listen for enthusiasm.  Be prepared for hugs.  Just their lingering in your presence is a wonderful clue.

And take heart knowing that not just one, but MANY have or are being influenced by you.