I'm very drawn to your game plan and recently spent five weeks alone just because I needed to do it. What really struck me about this piece, though...was your method of sending out all those resumes. When I finished CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) and training in Spiritual Direction, I sent a letter to every nursing home in a 30 mile radius in an attempt to sell myself as a person who could provide spiritual support for older people. I got one positive response and it changed my live.
Good timing!~. I recently took a little workshop for writing based on Julia Cameron's "The Artists Way". It was fun but I had disclaimers throughout because, even in my mid 50's, I still worry about making an ass of myself-what others might think and judge. I've always wanted to act or perform. In college I took a performance art course and wanted to get my masters in that, combine it with my art/paintings, at the School of the Art institute in Chicago, but it was very pricey and at the time my student debt was already unmanageable plus it wasn't practical, said mom and dad....GRRRRR. Next year, I plan on taking an improv class spurred on by the workshop I just mentioned-this post reminded me that yes, I want to do this and yes, I'm scared but excited to try. Thanks again Don!
I’m still between “nobody is thinking of me” age and “nothing embarrasses me” age. I took my leap recently and love it. I dropped out of art school at 20 - a huge regret for my lack of confidence and a bully professor. A few years ago I went back to the easel. Recently I took a risk and started showing my work publicly. I have such great satisfaction sharing it. Something I was terrified at first of doing. I even took it one step farther and began my own Substack...writing about my works.
I so enjoyed reading this story and finding your work here in Substack.
I'm very drawn to your game plan and recently spent five weeks alone just because I needed to do it. What really struck me about this piece, though...was your method of sending out all those resumes. When I finished CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) and training in Spiritual Direction, I sent a letter to every nursing home in a 30 mile radius in an attempt to sell myself as a person who could provide spiritual support for older people. I got one positive response and it changed my live.
It just takes one, doesn't it?
Perfect.
I’m game! Gonna take a risk. Stay tuned.
Good timing!~. I recently took a little workshop for writing based on Julia Cameron's "The Artists Way". It was fun but I had disclaimers throughout because, even in my mid 50's, I still worry about making an ass of myself-what others might think and judge. I've always wanted to act or perform. In college I took a performance art course and wanted to get my masters in that, combine it with my art/paintings, at the School of the Art institute in Chicago, but it was very pricey and at the time my student debt was already unmanageable plus it wasn't practical, said mom and dad....GRRRRR. Next year, I plan on taking an improv class spurred on by the workshop I just mentioned-this post reminded me that yes, I want to do this and yes, I'm scared but excited to try. Thanks again Don!
I'm so glad you found this essay encouraging. I hope you find your courage and go for it.
I’m still between “nobody is thinking of me” age and “nothing embarrasses me” age. I took my leap recently and love it. I dropped out of art school at 20 - a huge regret for my lack of confidence and a bully professor. A few years ago I went back to the easel. Recently I took a risk and started showing my work publicly. I have such great satisfaction sharing it. Something I was terrified at first of doing. I even took it one step farther and began my own Substack...writing about my works.
I so enjoyed reading this story and finding your work here in Substack.
Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for uplifting us with your story.
Another gem. A sparkling facet of said gem: "arsenal of guided missives." Very nice.
Thank you, Brian. You are very kind.