Strike the Match

A Lesson on Time - by Vincent van Gogh

I visited the van Gogh museum while I was in Amsterdam.  I thought I'd leave with new insight into art, instead I gained a perspective on time.  Some interesting facts that stuck with me.

First, van Gogh didn't even start painting until he was 27 years old.  I was shocked.  I assumed van Gogh had painted his entire life.  Most people would say 27 was too old to learn something new, let alone reshape the way the world thinks.

Two, van Gogh died at age 40.  That means he painted for 13 years which strikes me as both short and long. 

It's short because just about everyone has 13 years to give.  Whether your 27, 37, or 57.... even at 87, 13 years is no longer unreachable. 

It's long because you need to be willing to dedicate at least 13 years. Extraordinary is not something where you start and then surprise, you succeed.  You have to commit to be extraordinary.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.

A New Perspective

People are repetitive creatures.  Once they're comfortable with something they stick with it.  They'll make a sandwich the same way, they'll travel the same way, they'll communicate the same way.  It's not that they are against other options, more like we forget that there even are other options.

I spent that last 10 days traveling the Netherlands, Belgium, and London.  There they make sandwiches differently than us, they travel differently than us, and they communicate differently than us.  It was a great experience that reminded me to be open.

If you need a new perspective, perhaps a little traveling could help you along.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.

Sabbatical

In the spirit of Recharging the Batteries, I'm taking a quick trip over seas with some friends.  I'm taking a short sabbatical so I can focus on being present.  Look for a new post on September 15th.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary