Plus a Bit More of All

More credit where credit is due. And it’s about time I bring them all up together.

A few years ago, I set off into YouTube. Not only as intending to become a YouTuber, but as committing to making content regularly for that and other platforms. Through my browsing and during my watching, several YouTubers caught my attention. But ultimately, these are the ones I ended up sticking with.

They are both informative and humane. Furthermore, they are devoted to what they cover and don’t take themselves too seriously - which I personally appreciate. That and they’re indeed great at making content! I don’t always watch the full videos they release, but the snippets and extracts they share on their respective topics are something I try not to miss. And I’m glad whenever I see them on my dashboard.

For sure, what they put out has helped me stay on track and figure my way through all of this.

• Sean Cannell
Focus on making content and the marketing & advertising aspects of it. Inspiring and motivational, preserving the soul while being ambitious. Beyond being brilliant, he can be extremely energizing. His public speaking abilities? Top-notch.

• Sara Dietschy
Focus on technology. From gadgets to applications to what’s becoming of the world through these advances. I particularly enjoy her lively and personable, yet undoubtedly nerdy approach to showing us around and introducing us to what’s at hand.

• Sorelle Amore
Focus on freedom. Something that starts with having your finances in order. She tends to the material without neglecting the spiritual and that’s what most stood out for me. Her presence is delightful and, undeniably, so are her captures of existence.

There’s much more that could be said about them, of course. But I’ll let their work speak for them.
(You should check them out.)

Personal Development: 3 Attitudes For Excellence

Previously, 5 Traits to Stand Out were brought up. Adding to that, here is more toward excellence.

If you’re doing the work and wish to keep going forward, it is fundamental to adopt certain attitudes with which you will receive and respond to most if not all things. Let them sink down into the core of you to operate by default on their own. If you dare.  

• Competing Against Yourself

When you don’t have a point of reference, it is indeed constructive to look around and compare yourself to others to then compete against them. However, this has a few pitfalls. What if what they’re good at is not what you ought to be good at? And what if you’re already the best one around at that particular thing? What happens then? You’re led astray or you hit a cap. Therefore, it is important to learn to push yourself based on higher and higher standards that you set for yourself regardless. It is not about taking it easy and letting yourself fall behind. On the contrary, it is about constantly taking a look at yourself and admitting where you’re failing or lacking on your path toward actualization and addressing it.

• Maturing & Evolving

There is often such needless resistance to mature and evolve. And that’s understandable as this is (mistakenly) associated with dying and losing yourself. However, there is still joy and wonder in moving onto the different phases and newer versions of you. Becoming cynical and complacent aren’t signs of maturity and evolution, they are signs of giving up - and that’s a significant distinction to make. You don’t have to keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over again, stuck in a loop, to be alive and remain “yourself”. You can instead take what life throws at you and see how it can best shape and forge you into someone greater.  

• Embracing Truthfulness

None of this will happen with ease if you have trouble accepting the facts, what is real and ultimately true. Yes, the truth hurts. And yes, too much of it can be debilitating and even paralyzing. But you ought to make room for it. Cushion it and counter it with softer and sweeter truths if you must. Have it in moderation, at intervals if that helps. But at some point, you must welcome it in. And you might find, after all, that the highest truths are the most liberating. And that the most wounding and poisoning “truths” weren’t so true. With practice, you could end up seeking it as much as water and air. And it’ll make it all clear to you.  

Take a moment to reflect. What is lacking in you that could use some work? What can you work on personally developing now?

(Changing) Calendar

Here’s what I have in store so far for the year. It's not completely set in stone, as the unexpected may occur, but it's certainly set in sight. I will add and/or remove (with or without notice, depending) throughout the year...

Don't Forget

You can be open to the inevitable and the favorable, while closed to the dismissable and the infavorable. It can be tricky to tell them apart, and sometimes you just won’t know until you look back and see the relief of a dodged bullet or the regret of a missed opportunity, but don’t be so stiff or so malleable that you prolong suffering and delay fulfillment.

Inducing Serenity

How much noise is around and/or within you? Inhale and exhale. You can find serenity again. Without forgetting what you’ve learned, getting rid of what you’ve made, or denying who you are, grant yourself the space for what you aspire toward. Visualize it and watch it expand, dissolving obstacles and limits you believed you had.

Let this imagery and this melody prompt and carry you toward your own version of it...

CREDIT: AI-Generated, image done on Leonardo AI and audio on Suno AI.  

2025's To-Do List

Plenty was accomplished last year, despite delays and detours, but there is some left over and more to work toward this year. It seems that it will be quite an uncertain one in various aspects, but I might still be able to push forward in certain areas regardless. As usual, I’m flexible (for who knows what the future will bring) but better a plan than no plan.

TintySun
☐ Polish Site Layout (add new modules, too)
☐ Develop Mobile Versions

☐ Complete Rounds of Fundamental Content
☐ Fill Empty Sections Remaining
☐ Showcase Representative Batch of Artworks

☐ Revise/Renew Branding
☐ Promote Your Stuff
(...and officially establish yourself!)

PhantomShuffle
☐ Polish
☐ Fill
☐ Promote
DarkSpectacle
☐ Polish
☐ Fill
☐ Promote
HorrorStumble
☐ Polish
☐ Fill
☐ Promote

WELCOME 2025!

I don’t know what to expect! There have been so many unexpected twists and turns, some so outrageously massive that they have drastically altered the course of history, so speaking as though I have a clue what 2025 holds might just make me look foolish once it comes and goes.

However, I do know that I’m still enthusiastic and still devoted to my projects. And the more comes together, the more amazing it all is to me. Lots of forming and transforming into something greater. Much in ways I would not have envisioned but that make the most sense after all. (Thank God, The Universe, The Mysterious Forces at Play, for what didn’t work out and for what did work out.)

2024 was “supposed” to be a good year of steady progress for me. Yet, it was instead filled with devastating turmoil, as I had to let go of people I had come to be especially fond of, and revitalizing delight, as people I would not have even dreamed of (looking waaaaay better) showed up in their place. Still kinda reluctant to trust new faces (can’t blame me, the world is rotten), but it is nonetheless amazing! That and the priceless abundance of support and assistance throughout all the trials and tribulations.

2025? Well, I’m hoping it’ll keep surprising me with better and better. I’ll do my part, giving my best and making the most of what I can, and the rest is out of my hands. More specifically, though, I aim to bring enough to a state of completion and at last have that sense of being firmly and indisputably established. Heck, I might be one surprising you all with better and better. Looking forward to that! (And keeping the suspense...)

I know, I know. It can seem grim for many of us right now. But let’s keep on surviving and even thriving, no matter what!

New Year Month

January arrives again!
And with it, back to another start, the New Year mood.
If you wish to get organized for what’s to come, you can indulge it with me.
I celebrate it with aspirational and goal-setting content and vibes here and there.

Types of Allies you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as allies.

Recommendable
• The Champion
Loud and bold, they’re comparatively unafraid of conflict and going against the grain. They would take the lead and face the consequences before others, pushing forward while enduring the first hits for daring to stand out and fight for something. With them on your side, there is hope of making progress against the odds.

• The Compass
Moral and ethical, they’re in tune with what is right and what is wrong. And more likely than not, they would feel so strongly about it that they’d readily speak out if things are going (or seem) stray. They’ll watch for hypocrisy, too, looking into people’s principles and values and how consistently they adhere to them. During dilemmas, they are able to weigh and sort out matters and issues.

• The Strategist
Both theoretical and practical, they’re able to bring ideas to reality. Or at least as much as it is possible to execute and produce. They can make the hard decisions, knowing that sometimes compromising is necessary and that something is better than nothing. You may not like the options suggested to approach and solve a problem, but they would be realistic and effective. Perceives the underlying formulas and formulates plans.

• The Historian
Attentive and retentive, they’re basically archives of what happened, when, where, how, and why. Able to recall relevant information that could break or make an argument or policy. And whatever they don’t know or aren’t completely sure of, they’ll gladly research to be as informed and accurate as they can be.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Affected
They may lack talents and skills, or even be handicapped in some way, but as someone personally affected, they can provide valuable input by sharing their first-hand experience through their own perspective. However, depending on the gravity of what they went through, they may be anywhere from easy to difficult to exchange with.

• The Unvirtuous
They lack the virtues that others possess, but are not necessarily ill-intended. They may be a blank slate that is there to learn, or someone with plenty to unlearn but who also is compelled to join and try. They could be successfully guided toward merit but not much can be expected of them until they arrive there.

Not Recommendable
• The Illusionist
They only care about their image. What’s underneath is, to them, of no importance. They can move and operate solely on impressions, staying on a shallow plane, and may even lack the awareness to realize that they lack substance. It is about “being on the right side” so that they can reap the benefits of that and avoid liabilities of otherwise.

• The Clouter
They collect “clout” like it’s a game. As if scoring points that, as they accumulate, put them in higher and higher positions of authority. So that their claims are less questioned and their statements treated as law. And in this pursuit, they could be quite underhanded.

• The Swayed
They switch sides like there’s nothing holding them in place. Influenceable and reactive, a few empty words or even senseless propaganda could be enough to change their mind. They might like to believe that they are being rational and accepting the facts, but they are losing touch and sight of all else that should be factored in as they are persuaded.

• The Vicious
They are only there for the excuse and justification to tear others apart. The cause is their shield for their cruel actions. They’ll look for any opportunity to lash out, attack, and destroy. Could mercilessly nitpick and make mountains out of a molehill. They’ll turn on you as soon as there isn’t anything else to take out their vices on.

Alternatively, as an ally, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.

Types of Teammates you will Encounter as an Artist

As an artist, and in other roles too, there are different types of people that you will encounter. They may prove to be anywhere from extremely favorable to extremely unfavorable to you. Here are only a few (more might be added in the future). Not necessarily in descending order from best to worst, but grouped by how recommendable they are or not to be invested in. And under this category, as teammates.

Recommendable
• The Unifier
They can and will mediate. Outstanding communicators and even diplomats. Able to smooth things out but also address tensions, obvious or not, that may be impairing relationships. They are acutely aware of the importance of having a sense of belonging and connectedness, but also of the individual needs for space as nothing forced is lasting.

• The Challenger
They may accept where you are currently, applaud it even, but they won’t overlook your potential for more. Not fond of stagnation, they may encourage you to take on tasks and goals that push you to grow further. Could engage you in friendly taunts for it if not just point to the areas you have yet to expand onto.

• The Tutor
They’ll pay close attention to your progress, as if you’re one of the few personal projects they are deeply invested into. They genuinely wish to see you do and be well, excel even, and would celebrate your triumphs as they take part in making them happen. Whether they’re three or more steps ahead of you, they’d gladly help you catch up until you can continue on your own or they have nothing else to show you.

• The Reliable
They are there for what you need. Not necessarily for what you want, as catering to your whims is not their job, but if you do genuinely require assistance with something, chances are that, if it is within their abilities, they’ll give you a hand with it. And you can count on a satisfying delivery.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Restless
They cannot be still for long. And while that can be contagious for the better, mobilizing others, there will be times when it is counterproductive. Potentially turning into a nuisance. Pacing and pausing at times is not a luxury but a necessity. And that’s something they don’t seem to grasp or put into practice.

• The Climber
They want to go up. It is certainly fine to strive to improve and reach higher levels, whether that means you surpass others or not. But watch out for the people who do it primarily to be “above others” and would even use and discard others as stepping stones. This fixation can turn destructive fast.

Not Recommendable
• The Finger-pointer
They always have something to complain about. But not in themselves (at least not as often or to the same degree), in others. They’ll pick flaws and shortcomings whether or not it will be conducive to any betterment. They would do it out of habit or worse. In attempts to distract from their own by making another seem worse. The hypocrisy can and does become evident, but fighting it at every turn isn’t worth it.

• The Dimmer
They bring the morale and the overall enthusiasm down. It’s not about redirecting toward a more suitable path. It is about keeping others in low spirits. It may be intentional or not, but the result is the same. Performance drops as people become doubtful and/or indifferent about what they’re doing. Uncalled for remarks abound that are more a poison than a remedy.

• The Infiltrated
They aren’t part of the team, but you don’t know that. Physically, they’re there. Mentally, maybe so as well. But not in heart and spirit. They may do the bare minimum to pass as one or even go above and beyond so they aren’t suspected. However, ultimately, they are bound to leave or even betray once they get what they were after - which wasn’t agreed upon.

• The Divider
They sow discordance between others. Gossiping, comparing, triangulating, and just generally inciting conflict, suspicion, and anything that would erode the team’s cohesion for no valid reason. They could truly have personal issues that cause them to behave this way, unable to be a part of something else. Or they could be doing it on purpose for the sake of breaking things up. Whatever the case, they are a disease.

Alternatively, as a teammate, do you see yourself among the Not Recommendable or the Tolerable/Manageable and don’t like it? Start/keep working on your improvement.