Left the Job, Security and Followed the Dream!

Image and story from Patrice Federspiel, artist   website

In Wisconsin, my routine for years was getting up at 4:30 am to paint or sculpt before going to work. I knew if I waited until the end of the day to create, I would not have the energy. The job came first and being an artist was a struggle.
Every morning I would ask aloud, “How can I paint full time?” Ask and it is given, we have all heard this mantra. Still, I was completely surprised when, after 3-4 years of asking, the opportunity presented itself.

Winter in Wisconsin is cold and snowy, so in January 2000, a friend and I decided to take a one-week vacation to visit a friend who was a grad student in Hawai’i.

Back then I knew next-to-nothing about the Hawaiian Islands. I had lived my entire life in Wisconsin. My trip to Hawai’i was meant to be a spiritual quest, to put a foot into the Pacific Ocean and to visit a friend in grad school, Sarah. I had absolutely no intention of staying.

Sarah had just moved into a tiny garage apartment on the Island. She was a busy teacher’s assistant and writing a grant proposal to do research at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. She paid her rent by doing yard work for a University of Hawai’i professor who owned the house.

We hardly saw Sarah that week. Instead, my Wisconsin friend and I explored the beaches on O’ahu and spent three days at the Kilauea Volcano on the big island of Hawai’i.

On our last day, we snorkeled at Hanauma Bay. Later we walked the length of Waimanalo Beach, where we came upon a tour group with boogie boards. I had never even seen boogie board before, but I knew I HAD to ride one.

A tour guide took me out and caught a wave for me. Not knowing what to do, I jumped up on my knees and rode in to shore. What fun! The next, larger wave washed the board right out from under me, but I didn’t care. I had been transformed by the experience.

It was time to leave the beach; we had to get ready for the airport flight back home. As we walked back to our car, I turned around to wave good-bye to the tour guide. He waved back and tears of gratitude and joy streamed down my face.

Suddenly I thought: “What will Sarah do if she gets her research grant to work in DC? She wouldn’t want to lose an apartment where she didn’t pay rent! I could quit my job, sell my house, and take care of that apartment for her. I could PAINT!”

In order to keep the bolt of energy I felt running through me, I repeated those same words, out loud this time.

Later that day when Sarah showed us her apartment, I asked what she would do if she got the grant. She said if I were to house sit, it would be the perfect solution. I took her up on it!

After three months, I learned that Sarah got the grant! To make this work, I had six weeks to quit my job, sell my house, and move.

I had never moved out of Wisconsin before. This was a HUGE decision. 

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My idea of security was turned on its head. It felt riskier to stay in my very stable, wonderful job, in my own comfortable home near the arboretum in Madison, than to make this move.

The day came when I was living in Hawai’i and took Sarah to catch her plane to DC. It was then I realized I didn’t know anyone on O’ahu. I was thousands of miles and five time zones away from family and friends.

It has been hard and lonely at times, but I wouldn’t change any of the past 14 years for a minute! I have learned SO much about art, about myself, and about life in general since my first boogie board ride.

Time after time doors have opened for me in Hawai’i. Yes, I have worked very hard. I was an oil painter in Wisconsin. I learned to paint with watercolors after realizing the small space of Sarah’s apartment could be lethal when combined with fumes from the oils.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that we don’t have to know all the steps needed to reach our goal. What is needed is an area of focus, a strong desire, a great deal of perseverance and the willingness to take a risk.

I had absolutely no idea when I first decided to visit Hawai’i that I would be living here today. It simply never occurred to me. But I did know what I wanted to do. I wanted to paint full time. That is what I do now.

Reaching a goal is always about putting one foot in front of the other – over and over and over again. Be prepared for anything, and something will happen.

As Dale Carnegie once said: “Set your mind on a goal, burn all of your bridges behind you, then watch how quickly the world steps aside to let you pass.”

 

This is classic Manifesting: ask, repeat, act.

Patrice had a foremost goal and that was to be a full-time artist. She owned a home and had a comfortable job but it was all backwards. The job took precedence over being a professional artist.

This was the driver, “Every morning I would ask aloud, “How can I paint full time?”

Eventually the opportunity came in two ways: a remarkable environment to live in and an apartment at just about zero cost. It was quite a leap, but as she said, many doors have opened for her. Part of her process was to evaluate security vs. happiness, something we all have encountered or presently struggle with.

It takes smarts and bravery sometimes but you can also have an edge in the process – manifest the solution you desire. It’s all in the book and in my radio interviews that you can listen to for free.

We just met yesterday at my Manifesting 123 Workshop when she visited here in Denver. I suspect she came away with even more ways to bring good things into her life. Regardless, she is the pro and Patrice is the good example of how to make things happen!

 

Announcing the second Workshop for Business Owners and artists:
Many success stories have been coming in from the small and big business world. After more requests, I am offering the second Manifesting 123 class directed toward those wishing to build their careers or businesses. I hope to see you at the Workshop Saturday, January 31 at my home in the Denver metro. We will light up the room!  Workshop info