Evidence that you've had a good life:

Jun 30, 2012

This was a real treat: When I was visiting my mother’s house last week I went and dug up some of my old drawings from the attic, where I had left them for safe keeping.

What I’d forgotten was JUST how many I had left there. There were thousands of them, drawn over a period of six or seven years. THOUSANDS.

Suddenly, looking there at the huge pile of business-card wallets lying there on the desk, I suddenly realized… I did it. I had created a body of work. Seriously.

It was a great feeling. Suddenly I felt that I finally had evidence here and now that, no matter what happens from now on, regardless, it’s been a good life. It’s been a good fight.

I felt so thankful.

That’s all we all really want, at the end of the day. Evidence. And gratitude.

Onward…

11 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Raul Colon

12 years ago

I have been picking up many things since we are moving to a smaller place. It is always great when you pick something up and realize you created it but you forgot about creating it.

tony

12 years ago

yes you have!

Evidence and Work « extribulum

12 years ago

[…] made a post recently about going home to his mother’s house and finding binders and binders of old business-card […]

Business Marketing Strategies For Small Businesses | business internet sales & marketing consulting strategies

12 years ago

[…] As we all know, business strategies rank as one of the most searched phrases of all time in any give… that our business is running well, and that they are the best they can be. Business strategies help us maximize the profit, while helping us with the budgeting and give us tips on how to set up a business and as well as how to maintain it. This article will focus on business strategies for small businesses, that’s because, they are pretty common. […]

Zane Aveton

12 years ago

Such a nice thought….and realization. Thank you for sharing this.

@Zaneology

Ernest Barbaric

12 years ago

Someday, you may be known as the “Businesscard Picasso” 🙂 I’ve enjoyed your work for a few years now and really appreciate the insight and thought you put into it.

It seems that going back to the attic was like seeing the visual representation of the 10,000+ hours. Evidence and validation.

Thank you for sharing that moment with us.

Stefan Loble

12 years ago

With a constant sense of what needs to happen next, “I did it” is a rare but wonderful feeling.

Good for you, Hugh – you did it for sure.

David Ch…

12 years ago

You’ve only been creative if you actually create stuff! Respect, Hugh!

usethebrainsgodgiveyou

12 years ago

Yeah, that’s nice…and it validates the hours you have put into your craft. That’s what most people don’t “get” about the arts. What looks easy, isn’t. It takes a lot to get there. BUT, deary, there’s something you’ve got to add to that body of work that can’t be measured in a physical manner, there is no lawyerly “proof”–the laughter you have given to others (personally, to tears for me and my son…) the ideas of changing business to have it mean something, opening up creative channels to the deadening grind of commerce…you know, the fluffy stuff. What about the fluffy stuff that can’t be measured?

Greg

12 years ago

“Evidence it’s been a good life.” I like that thought. We should all think about how we can leave a mark that we can reflect upon later in life, and that will persist after we’re gone.

This week in review | Home is the heart

12 years ago

[…] When you need inspiration to keep going, take a moment to pause and look at the body of work you’ve already built. Treasure perspective: “It turns out it was just advertising. There was no higher calling. […]

Other stories you might like

Are you ready to work with us?