Youve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Dont mess with Mister InBetween

Youve got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemoniums
Liable to walk upon the scene

-Johnny Herndon Mercer, Savannahian

_______________________________________________

My obsession with Savannah and this man's undeniable talent aside, this song is pure gold. I don't tend to be a sad person, but for the past seven months I've been admittedly depressed. Deeply depressed.
It's not something I'm keen to advertise, or even admit to myself, but it's the truth.

This song though, this song just helps me refocus on what's really important.

And when bad things happen to you, when you think it's the end of the world, when something hurts you- let it wash over you. Take it in and let it go, don't deny that it's wounded you but don't keep the wound from healing. Don't dwell on things you can't change, and don't ever forget how lucky you are. You're alive, you're you- and no one else is or ever will be you. You are 100% capable of being the person you want to be and every day is a rebirth. A day to change, a day to improve, a day to forgive, a day to forget, a day of potential.

Every new day, hour, minute, is potential. And it's up to you to seize that.

I was so broken, my spirit was crumbling.
I felt like I was losing my identity, myself. I felt like I was once again lost in the crowd, last in the race, I felt worthless.
But then, at my weakest moment I realized something. Something about all of the things I was going through.

If someone copies my art style,
If someone steals my ideas,
If someone traces my work,
If someone imitates me,
If someone hates me,
If someone lies about me,
If someone slanders my name,
If someone is cruel and malicious to me,
If someone is harassing me,
If someone abandons me,
If someone betrays me,
If someone abuses or hurts me,
If someone doesn't love me-

What then?
Nothing, that's what.

I am just one speck, one tiny stardust speck in all of the universe. And my time on this earth is barely a blip on the radar. But I refuse to waste it on giving into negativity. I will not lose myself to hatred or bitterness.
No.

I cannot touch the past, so I will not let it touch me.
The same goes for every spiteful encounter I meet. I will rise above it, and meet any viciousness with tolerance and hope.

I used to work at an Arby's,
And before I transferred- I worked with one GM in particular. His name was Miles, and he was so stoic. I only worked with him twice, and knew nothing about him. Other than how robotic he was.
Over a year later, I went to his wedding.
The wedding was stunning, beautifully set outdoors. In an open air barn- every rafter and post and table covered in flowers and softly glowing lights. Fireflies drifted through the reception, and I can't recall ever seeing a happier affair.
His wife was a vision, naturally in white, but her shoes of choice- dusty cowboy boots. Their wedding dance started out slow and formal, but quickly exploded into a serious of other songs. They disco'ed, they did the robot, they conga-lined, they went through the entire evolution of dance choreography.

I sat and watched them in wonder, and even as just hardly an acquaintance, I was overwhelmed with how much fun and love they emanated.

And their two young sons joined in the dancing, just a four and two year old- in their little beige suits and bowties. I'm not usually one to find kids or babies cute (they usually just look squishy to me) but these children- the very children his wife was told she would never have because she was labeled as infertile- were the most precious I had ever seen.

But there was a darkness to the wedding.
Miles had been fighting cancer- and had cut a tumor out of his foot, amputated his foot, then finally amputated his leg halfway up his shin in an attempt to stop the spread.
Now, one year later, Miles' cancer is back.
A tumor the size of a football in his 'good' leg, seven tumors in his lungs, and in his blood.
He was given four months to live.
He likely won't even make it to Christmas with his beautiful family.

That news shook me to my core. I've always been extremely empathetic, but the hopelessness and despair I felt when I heard that floored me.
I realized, all this time- me worrying about what lies bitter people spread about me or about my image and art being copied- that was nothing.

Absolutely NOTHING.

Miles and his family are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in any encounter with people. And in a way, I wish I could take his place. Because he has found it, he found the closest thing to perfection with his lovely wife and sweet children. Children they were told they would never have. And now, they are told they will not have a father in a matter of days.

Just four months.

I cry every time I think about it, and I promise you all- for what it matters, that I will not slow down here.
I will not let petty grief overcome me now that I've faced true despair, and despair that isn't even my own. I can't imagine that level of suffering.

I am humbled.

Thank you all for being patient with me during my months of despondency, I feel like I have re-evaluated my entire existence and I will remember Mile's story every time I feel abused or hurt.

I will also be trying to visit him and his family as often as I can in the next few months, but other than that I will be making my uploads and activity here much more frequent.
Those of you who have so generously supported me via watches, comments, views, favorites, and commissions deserve as much.

Thank you all.

Art, LA ©