What if Your Weakness is Actually Your Strength?

Two decades ago, I took a leap, bidding farewell to a stable job to pursue my passion for art. The catalyst for this pivotal decision was rooted in the challenges I grappled with after college in the mid-1900s—navigating artistic choices, financial uncertainties, and the grind of a full-time job to meet expenses.

Society's prevailing notion that starting a family would undermine career success echoed loudly. Visits to friends in bustling New York City amplified these doubts, casting shadows on the viability of my artistic dreams in a quaint Pennsylvania town, especially if we chose a conventional family. The pervasive belief that parenthood signaled the end of artistic aspirations was further compounded by well-meaning advice from those around us, including family and friends who had abandoned their own dreams.

Yet, fueled by an unconventional determination, and our outright stubbornness, Rebekah and I forged our own path. The arrival of our first child, Nadija, in 2002, marked a transformative chapter. Her presence not only brought joy but it illuminated the profound depth of my understanding of what it meant to sacrifice for someone you loved.

In mid-2003, a poignant moment captured Nadija at the door (see the photo in my hands), her gaze freezing me in my car before my daily commute. I couldn’t even put my keys into the ignition.  I didn’t want to leave my family.  All I wanted was to be at home with my family. This mental image became my catalyst, propelling me to channel all my energy into building an art career. My routine intensified—waking at 6 AM, working a full day, returning at 5 PM, and dedicating evenings until 2 AM to my craft. This newfound focus yielded remarkable progress, and in early 2005, I bid farewell to the job forever. In the first year of entrepreneurship, I surpassed the income I had received from my day job.

Reflecting on this journey, I debunked the myth that family impedes success; instead, my family emerged as the cornerstone of my achievements. They provided a purpose beyond personal aspirations. Consider this in your own life—identify perceived weaknesses that might actually be strengths. Your perspective is defined by your determination. Remember, failure is capitulating before realizing your dreams.

With nearly three decades as a professional artist and a family of five, my daily motivation stems from the significance of the battles I fought. As you navigate your path, contemplate what is truly worth fighting for, and persist until every dream is realized. Amidst these victories, the love for my three children and my wife Rebekah remains an enduring force, an inspiration that fuels my artistic journey and elevates the value of every triumph. Wishing you the very best on your journey.

I hope you will share this with someone that needs it.  Thank you very much.