The above comment came from a friend experiencing frustration over her artwork not selling. She also asked me how I could continue to keep on producing and putting my art out there for sale, when nothing was happening, and when I had no other source of income.
After reading her letter, I took a deep breath. My mind told me she was right -- it makes complete, logical sense from a current financial standpoint. The fire of an emotional response smoldered -- I didn't want to give up what I love and the work I have done! Confusion, frustration and worry decided to pay a visit. Is she right?
My heart stepped up at that point and told me I needed a break -- it said to take a walk and perhaps I just might be enlightened by a new idea. So I stepped outside on this beautiful day and stopping at the top of a hill where we planted seeds recently. I looked around.
Nothing was growing -- there was no sign of life yet.
At that point, an interesting thought entered my mind. I'd planted these seeds and nothing was happening. Should I dig them up and throw them away because nothing is happening yet? The answer, of course, is no. Because it takes time for things to grow after they are planted. That's nature's way.
Unlike the Internet, the fast pace of the world we live in and the increasing speed of technology where news can get from point A to point B in a matter of seconds, nature still does what it has always done. It takes its time. It is patient. It doesn't rush and doesn't control, and it surrenders to things out of its control.
The seeds don't worry. They just live. And we accept this when it comes to nature -- we just have faith that nature knows what it's doing with its work, and we let it produce naturally.
I realized at that moment that I have faith something will happen with those seeds I've planted. That's why they stay in the ground. I've done my part. I chose fertile ground to plant the seeds in. They are getting plenty of sunshine. The weather is warm. They are watered and they are being fertilized. They are being taken care of and nurtured to the best of my ability. And they will respond, do their part and grow.
Certainly not all of the seeds will blossom -- some may never sprout. But I've planted enough to know that something will happen with most of them. There is no question in my mind.
Taking this same experience, and this same train of thought, I can now approach my work, and my friend's comments, with new enthusiasm, a dash of hope and a bit of cheer.
With my artistic business, I have chosen fertile ground. I have planted seeds and am planting new ones constantly. I make sure my business is seen in every possible way, and I take care to perfect my work and do whatever is necessary to facilitate the growth process.
Certainly not every part of my business will grow -- some items may do better than others; some aspects may not survive. I always have the option to prune away what is no longer working and give more attention to what is working. And I've planted enough seeds to know something will happen with the multitude. There is no longer a question in my mind.
So to my friend -- and to others who face the discouragement, trials and worries of starting a creative business and seeing it grow -- my advice is this:
Choose a fertile ground. Plant the seeds. Make sure your work, creativity and business, as a whole, is seen. Take care to perfect things as you go. Constantly keep planting, fertilizing and doing whatever is necessary and in your control to facilitate growth.
Not every part of your business will grow -- some parts may do better than others, and some sections may not survive. But by planting enough, pruning and doing your part, you will see something happen.