Ink Spots Blog: 9/5/13

When I am an old man (if I am so blessed), I’m going to say that the years 2010-2013 were the three most important years of my life.  I’ll know it was when I went from good at what I do to great.  I’ll look back and proclaim, “those were the years the good Lord pushed my out of my comfort zone!”

And thank Him He did.

Oh and I was comfortable. Actually, I was scared, too — I was comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. I could see that my profession was changing (and some might say dying.)  Because I craved security so much (a byproduct of surviving cancer), I became afraid.  Instead of reacting to the situation and looking for opportunities, I kept doing what I was doing hoping that everything would turn out OK.

It didn’t.

After turning down a good job in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I was made part-time where I thought I was really valued.

It hurt. It stung. I was mad.

But I figured out pretty quickly it would turn out to be a good thing. And it was. Once I got past the hurt (it was only business after all) and saw it as an opportunity, great things started to happen.  I picked up the SuperTalk show.  And after two years and great ratings, I was fired.  And I’m completely OK with that, too. I appreciate the opportunity I got and everything I learned. I worked with some good people and built a great audience.  Now I get to enjoy a weekly show on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. I work with great people there who are teaching me even more.  I still have a good relationship with The Clarion-Ledger and continue to draw cartoons. I see the future full of opportunity.

But I’m much, much more than I was the day I was made part-time. I’m a sought-after public speaker. I’m an author. I’m a children’s book illustrator and author.  I help charities. I have more time to focus on my wonderful family. I continue to work my butt off to provide for my family.

I was shoved out of my comfort zone. I fell down and it hurt. But I got back up and found that life was even better.