On Valentine’s Day, a new friend of mine, Curtis Heuser, sent out a great quote to all his friends.  It said “Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”  He and I met when I chose his book as our January Book-of-the-Month.  We’ve been writing e-mails back and forth about our respective businesses — wow, I had no idea how much work and emotion goes into creating a book and putting it out into the world — and that quote he sent out shows just what a compassionate person he is.

During the past few years, I’ve had many e-mails sent to me with requests on how to start a faux finishing career, what advice I would offer to make it work, do I think it has a viable future in these times…and for anyone who has made the big leap (into this or any field), I have been there and could probably share a martini and laugh at some battle stories with you.  Owning your own business looks glamorous but it requires a tremendous amount of heart, soul and just plain old long work hours to make it work.  It also requires a team — whether it’s a work force, a partnership of sorts or just a strong support system at home or with friends.  There is no surefire formula but I do believe that whatever setbacks may come, they really are for us to learn from, overcome and somehow find a way around them…but always, always be grateful and appreciate the roads you’ve discovered because of them.

A lot has been said of The Secret, the teachings of Louise Hay, Maharishi, Eckhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson and others, affirmations and/or just nothing-plain-about-it positive thinking.  For me, they each have some very good points to consider.  It has proved invaluable to dream and believe — but also to make solid plans, create a vision board to visualize these goals, maintain a positive attitude and getting off my bum to make it happen.  In the past, I used to hoard all my secrets and not trust other artists.  As the years went by, however, the more confident I became in my abilities, the less selfish I wanted to be with them.  It was as if being a grinch really limited me — as soon as I began being more open to others and give as selflessly as I could, I met more people online, had more artist friends, attracted truly wonderful clients and students, and my website and blog began a steady climb to great numbers.  The crazy part?  I learned so much more from others than I ever could have just hanging on to fear, mistrust and being selfish.

What’s the point of all this?  Empathy.  Helping others selflessly.  Loving and being faithful to yourself.  Reading the signs and trusting in them.  Dreaming, Believing and Doing. Or simply, remembering to be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.  So, I raise a nice glass and wish you a belated Valentine’s Day toast to that greatest of emotions either for yourself, others and/or what you do: Love.