From Lay Off To An Expanded, Happy Life

Budget retrenchment.  1982.

Another word for layoffs.

I was in that group of layoffs from a rather sweet job on the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus. I’d been promoted — at a rather young age — and I had a “staff” of one.

Then I didn’t.

Remember the want ads in newspapers?

That’s where I found my entry into what I now know as network marketing.

I joined TransArt Industries, an accessory design company in Atlanta.

Art, color, creativity. Completely my thing.

It was easy; I built a team of others just like me and full fledged interior designers, lighting experts and more.

I had clients that wanted more. So I did all the things to be “legit.” I secured wholesale accounts with businesses that complimented each other.

Today, as I prepared for a B-roll photo shoot for a local consulting firm, I remember all this.

Early in my Interior Accessory Design career all the places to do business (buy the wallpaper, paint,...

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Every Child is an Artist

 Every child is an artist, until he's told he's not an artist ~ John Lennon

When I was in Junior High School I loved art. I loved to draw and do all kinds of creative art projects.

Then I was in Miss Williamson's art class.

She was called Big Red. She was a large woman with red hair.

And she had a real nasty streak (why do people like this WANT to be teachers?)

I had a friend in class and we were always yucking it up - and getting into trouble. 

Then she'd separate us - and we'd still yuck it up and still get into trouble - only now it was across the whole room.

She told me I couldn't draw.

And I believed her.

It took years before I took art again. And I was forced to because it was required (!)... I hadn't taken art since that class with Big Red.

I took an art class from Bruce Larson in High School. He became my favorite teacher. He WAS a teacher and guide and allowed creativity in the classroom. 

Who squashed your creativity? Your deepest desires? Is she longing to...

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