gray skies, fountain smiles
artdirections: 5 Ways to be a Happier CreativeWe all know the tortured artist schtick. To be honest, I can be a downer sometimes myself, but I think it would be terrible for us to all perpetuate the idea that being creative and miserable are mutually exclusive.So here’s to being creative and actually enjoying it:1. Refuse to See Your Entire Life Either as a Success or a FailureThe idea here is to never buy into the lie that your life is either successful or failing in terms of your creative output. Think of the most successful creative person you can, if you look closely you can see a series of successes and failures. The best way for me to look at the creative life is as a series of projects which can be successful in some ways and fail in other ways. For instance, some projects are really successful in the development of your skill but not financially advantageous. Also, don’t believe that there is some level of success where you have now “arrived” or attained a level of success which can never been denied to you, like being hailed a “creative genius” with endless financial gain, forever. I could tell you many examples of artists and musicians who seem like they have “arrived”  with one project and then completely fail the next. 2. Make Something EverydayWill Bryant says something like, “I make stuff because if I don’t I get sad”. A silly and profound statement. Last year I did a daily drawing project where I created a new character every weekday. I found this statement to ring very true.This practice gave me a sense of creative productivity every single day, which is a serious morale booster. Even if you don’t show anyone, it can help you feel prolific and unlimited in your creative abilities, which in turn increases your confidence.3. Be AuthenticThis is huge. Many people have done amazing things in creativity and have received many rewards, successes and prizes for them. So there is a lot of incentive for YOU to be THEM. But the trick is knowing the truth: you CAN’T be them. Trying to be something you are not will make you feel like an old sock. You already know this, but I thought I’d remind you.4. Know Your PurposeShooting aimlessly into the dark can feel like…shooting aimlessly into the dark. Your purpose doesn’t have to be mind meltingly important. I like the humble yet ambitious purpose the great Debbie Millman has taken upon herself to “try to make the supermarket more beautiful”. Try to clarify what you want to achieve overall so that everything you do has a sense of purpose. Purpose equals meaning, and to most creatives I know, a sense of meaning is why they want to make art and why they DO NOT want to work in a factory.5. Address and Defeat Your FearsThat dreadful fear is a bully that is killing your soul and it should be stood up to. Listen to it, don’t ignore it. Hear what it’s actually saying and then dismantle it. Talk to someone about it openly, if the fear is tied to reality, then face it and take it down with integrity. If it’s all lies, all smoke and mirrors then let it disappear in the cloud of smoke that it is. If you are doing super boring unadventurous work, you won’t have any fears at all…but who wants to do that?Hope this makes you a bit happier today. - Andy J. MillerP.S. To tackle the piling up questions here on this tumblr I have started taking on 1 hour video creative coaching, for more info click here.
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."

—  Roald Dahl  (via seabois)

(via laurennicolelove)
thebowthestern: I didn’t do much blogging in 2012. Truth be told, I had no desire to do so. The past year’s been a year of much introspection…lots to be accounted for, but, not lots to be shared. And sometimes, that’s how life will be - many moments to be kept between me and Jesus and the people I lived them with. It’s a beautiful thing, really. God made the point to set aside a time in my life to be kept between me and Him. A Holy year, a Holy season. That was 2012. A lot has happened. A lot has changed. I’m not the same person I was a year ago. And thank you Jesus, for that truth. But - 2013 is a new year. God’s swept my heart into a new season. I feel it in my bones and my chest, and it’s heavy on me. It’s a refreshing kind of heavy, the kind of heavy that brings new life. The kind of heavy that weighs down and cracks and builds up again. I expect more growth this year than last year. In an odd way, I also expect heartbreak. The kind of heartbreak you know you need but you know you’re not ready for, either. But my goal here isn’t to be ready for what lies ahead, but rather to take it on wholeheartedly when it does arrive. I can’t afford, anymore, to be waiting on the next thing, the next season, the next day. Each day holds enough trouble and joy for its own. I’ll take each day as its own, and Jesus will meet me where I’m at. Jesus will comfort me and challenge me and teach me. Every day will be its own adventure, its own season. Here is where I’ll tell my stories, where my story will tell itself. Here is where I’ll write, I’ll sing, I’ll show. Here is Jesus, in me. Hear, hear. 
thunderpopcola: Beautiful. :’( (via spiritualinspiration)
Anonymous: Hello GCJ, I hope you don't mind me sending you messages through your blog hence I do not have any good medium to be in contact with you. You take care beautiful one.

I see no harm in receiving messages here, but would you mind an intro?
Anonymous: Hello GCJ. A Happy New Year to you and your family. I know you don't know me and we haven't meet (I hope someday I will have the chance to meet and greet you with a happy smile). I just happen to be your avid follower and I admire you so much of your beautiful, sweet and lovely character. I'm hesitant to mention you though as you did't know me yet but I'm hopeful that we can at least be a good friend even here on the net. I hope I can formally introduce myself 2u someday. Take care and God Bless

Sending my most sincere appreciation and gratitude to you, anon! My apologies for the mid-year response. Sure, we can be good friends, only if you will assure me that this is not a form of trick/fraud, and/or you are a real person with real emotions, not a computer virus. Haha. 
unkaglen: Thanks for the follow, and I'm happy to return it! I love your bold outspokenness, and you passion for your faith. Very inspiring. I look forward to reading more!

Hi unkaglen! I feel privileged to receive a message from you. Thank you for the motivation and for the kind words! Your blog is a blessing for many young people. Amen! Keep on keeping on.

exaltingtruth: Blessings on you today :)

Keep exalting the truth, brother! Blessings on you, too.

thehippieproject: Sweet mo :) Haha. On off, puro away kasi kami ni Pen so yun :| There's something wrong with my theme ata :| Nawawala rin ung follow button :| I'll change it nalang. I miss you more! Few more days nalang, susumpain na natin ang 6-hour break :) Haha :)

Saab, I miss you! Nawala ka sa Timeline ko. Nag-aautomatic unfollow yung Twitter minsan :( Grabe, so sorry, super bilis ko magreply, tagal na nito. Hahaha. I hope everything’s fine! *hug*

Anonymous: Hello beautiful Lady. I just have known you on the web lately, but I so admire you so much that I want my eyes to tears. That's when I found your heart and passion for God is really big. Never thought that there is still a woman like u in this pervert generation. I know there are so many guys that will easily fall on you because of how God created you. I just hope and pray that someday I will find a woman with the same heart as you as God prepares me to b1. Take care. I'll be praying for you.

Hi beautiful stranger. I’m lost for words. Thank you. I do not deserve all these praise. It’s all by His grace! :)

God is in the business of changing lives, and of matching two people, to fit His perfectly designed marriage. With a heart like yours, I believe He’ll give you more than what you think you deserve. Keep the faith. 
god-schattel: God can use anybody and turn him into a somebody. But let us believe in Him with all our heart and let us never forget that He is a powerful and a mighty God whom with all things are possible. “Their lives did not turn out the way they had hoped or planned. And yet, the Lord used their suffering to build His character in them, and how mightily He then used them. They believed.” Amen.