Life’s Ebbs and Flows

One of the privileges of starting canvas is the opportunity to meet with many interesting people, including those whose aim is to work with the magazine in some way. Recently, we met with two such people and I was pleased to hear that they described canvas’ “role” in the community as vital.

In talking we learned that our visitors were currently on a path of life and career reassessment and that they were hoping to apply the lessons they learned about personal/professional fulfillment to a relationship with canvas. They talked about the way we may be able to help them in their life journeys based on the essence of what they sense about us through the pages of the magazine and website.

Many of the people I’ve met through canvas have been unbelievable individuals. When we launched the magazine, I knew the mindset of the audience with which we were trying to connect but I’ve still been impressed with the passion and conviction of the people I’ve met through this endeavor.

Coming from a structured, corporate background I can say that many of the people I knew in the corporate life, although great people, where very much like me. Focused on the prize, spinning on the hampster wheel, rarely making the time to understand where we are in life and where we want to be. Although many have obtained the prize, few have shown the happiness you’d expect once they got there. More often than not they become wrapped up in the drudgery of trying to keep the prize.

The two individuals with whom I was meeting inspired me to further consider this life journey I’m on and realize that I’m glad that I’m on it. I’m sure others I will meet in the future will inspire me again and again. I just wish everyone had the opportunity, conviction and strength, as these people do, to do a life check and follow the paths most important to them.

I guess sometimes life’s like a carnival: you can spend a lot of time at the game booth trying to win the prize then when you do you find out the stuffed animal you spent $100 and two hours winning, falls apart before you get home. Or you can go on the tilt a-whirl with your friends and develop a memory you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.