Living the Lives We Want: The Things We Do for Art

Depending on your perspective, I'm either deep in the throes of creativity, or I am too busy for such things.

Confusing?

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This weekend, @cosmictriage and I have an "event" we're going to. That is, we are vending and participating in a local festival; I with my painted mandala stones; Mrs. Denmarkguy with her handmade "Faerie miniatures," on top of which she is also doing one day of the three day event as a tarot reader.

It takes a lot of time and effort to get ready for such an event... not so much in terms of creating what's to be offered for sale, but all the prep work that goes into — in essence — creating a "portable mini retail store" that can be set up and fully operational in a matter of a couple of hours, and taken back down and brought back home, also in a matter of a couple of hours.

The preceding behind the scenes work is a lot more time and labor intensive than the actual showing up and manning a booth at an event.

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Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Doing these things are part of "the price of admission" to living life the way we want, on our own terms.

Of course, we don't actually make a living doing things like this, but participating contributes to our overall ability to get by, in the greater scheme of things.

I have much gratitude!

On the other hand, it also means that I periodically end up trading one kind of creativity for another. When we are prepping for shows — and are at shows — it's very difficult to find the time to also write blog posts.

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"Showing Up" Demands Determination and Dedication!

People talk about the idea that success often is a matter of showing up every day. If I make an agreement with myself to show up on Hive every day... that sometimes turns out to be (logistically speaking) almost impossible, because the "other things" I am working on demand my time.

And so it often is, with life. When we choose to do one thing, we often have to forsake another. Being — as I am — part of a home made system of "patchwork economics," the idea of giving up one thing to do another is a natural part of existence.

This is the lifestyle we have chosen.

Whereas I sincerely wish I could make an actual living with my art, I am also realist enough to know that such a thing is highly unlikely.

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The Long Term Benefit of Showing Up on Hive...

Like most ventures — whether building an art business, an editing business, or a blog — being part of the Hive community and "building a presence" here is a long term commitment, with very gradual results.

Patience is the key.

I know that every time I add about 13 Hive Power to my balance, my daily gain just from inflation increases by 0.001 Hive.

And every time I add about six Hive Power to my balance, my daily income just from curation increases by 0.001 Hive.

Micro-goals...

It may not sound like much, but if you just keep adding a little bit every day... over a period of years, that 0.001 a day eventually adds up to something.

And now, I must get back to my show preparations!

Thanks for reading, and have a great remainder of your week!

Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly and uniquely for this platform — NOT cross posted anywhere else!)
Created at 20221012 23:52 PDT

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Yeah opportunity costs are real. It is something I struggle with. My innate cheapness compels me to be doing the most profitable activity at any given time. However, my pleasure seeking side realizes you got to have a little fun along the way... I think that is why I like Hive because I can combine the fun of Hiving along with making a little something too.

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And every time you post, I upvote for about 1 HIVE in value, unless I don't notice in time.

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I made it a point to just use this for fun and really never noticed the growth. When I joined, I knew one person who was big enough that I realized he was so very far out of my league. One day, I woke up and I had real money in my account. Tokens, but, still.

Because I try not to focus on it, I am always surprised at the growth, especially if you think that most of us people who have been here a day or three have earned it all the hard way.

I wish you could make your living from your art. Would it still be fun for you? I wonder... perhaps that is saving grace?

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