Types of Brands 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 brands.

Recommendable
• The Solution
What you’ve been striving for or struggling with, the mission or task that you’ve been on, that you are better not doing on your own, they take over and solve it for you. And no, it is not a ‘they tried’ or ‘they had the intention to’. It is an undeniable solution to your problem. Problem solved, literally. You can sigh in relief now. And spread the word in solidarity. Definitely worth it.

• The Complement
What you’re working or have worked on can go side-by-side with what they’re working or have worked on. You could do without them, but you’re bigger and/or better with them. Your ‘much’ is ‘muchier’. And bringing them along is like introducing a missing piece and revealing more of the picture. It may be a luxury, but of the fine kind.

• The Small/Local
They’re often assumed to be unserious, but it can be quite the opposite. In certain cases, you will find the most devoted and dedicated people, giving their all to offer the best quality they can, intensely invested in their craft. They just haven’t, for one or another reason, scaled up. And having your own criteria to figure out which is which, and to dismiss vanity metrics or even peer pressure, speaks highly of you. Plus, it shows support.

• The Public Service
Especially after becoming and while being abundant, looking for those who genuinely help others and helping them will not only help you sleep better - it will also help make the world around you better. Which, whether that directly or indirectly positively affects you too or not, can bring you profound fulfillment and set an example for others to go along with.

Tolerable/Manageable
• The Trending
It is an opportunity, and maybe a quite worthwhile one at that, but it could be one to quickly evaporate. Being too eager to jump into whatever is trending can keep you from considering whether or not something is truly meant or at least suitable for you. And over-relying on chasing trends can leave you without solid ground to stand on, as well as have you looking frivolous. If there’s more to it, great. But if not, eh.

• The Irrelevant
If there is room to spare, you could fit it in. However, it’ll come across as desperate or undiscerning on your part. And for those keeping up with you and what you do, it could be a tedious or even annoying ‘added ad’ they’d rather skip over. Why are they being put through this if it has nothing to do with you? Some may even view it as a lack of respect and consideration for their attention. You would have to keep its display to a minimum.

Not Recommendable
• The Public Disservice
This is what net negative means. By little or by much. The bad outweighs the good. Usually in the form of waste and/or harm. They leave a trail of destruction that they don’t make up for. You can repeat “the end justifies the means” all you want, but it is not applicable here as far as reality is concerned. It may go overlooked for a while, unbeknownst to most, but it is likely to eventually come out and be what they’re identified for. Enabling them further makes you a part of the issue.

• The High Cost/Low Value
We know that value can be subjective as well as abstract (or seen in the potential), so it can be missed. But this is not the case here. Here we’re talking about how, no matter where you look at or from, there is very low or no value at all, especially when contrasted with the cost. It screams tacky wannabe. The sort of mentality that goes ‘this is expensive, so it’ll give me status’ while having no taste. Alternatively, it is the lazy thinking that has you assuming that high cost = high value. Worse if you’re aware and promote it regardless, then it’s just scammy.

• The Fraudalent
They talk a big game to compensate for the lack. Or what faults they may be attempting to hide. It is because of this that the “too good to be true” saying came into rotation, casting doubt and skepticism onto everything that sounded promising, including what is legitimate. They will view you as just another fool to fool. And once they’re exposed, the embarrassment of associating with them will probably not be easy to handle and dispel.

• The Guinea-Pigger
They do not care, at all. You, and mostly everyone, are just a number. How much can they push it? How much can they get away with? How much can they profit and save? And how much can people buy and fall for it? It isn’t about innovation or testing, though those may occur. It is about having no humanity and no remorse as they position themselves. No guilt and perhaps not even shame. It can get twisted beyond belief. Horror clowns.

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

Alanis Morissette's Ironic

It’s messed up that this classic wasn’t already here. Being such a cultural phenomenon, along with being an undeniable personal favorite. And I’ve always admired (and found relief and comfort in) Alanis Morissette’s character and what came from it. But it’s not like I’ve been keeping my appreciation a secret, either!

Ironic, in particular, is especially peculiar to me because of how anecdotal it is, as it goes through and over many of the ways in which life can go, both being grounded and having perspective. I first listened to it around the time it came out, while I was a kid, and couldn’t get enough of it. Back then, I lacked the life experience to relate to it and more fully grasp it, but I was still intrigued and fascinated, somehow resonating regardless. Later on and still today, it became and remains relatable in a more pinpointable way.

“Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. And life has a funny way of helping you out…” I mean, tattoo worthy indeed! Albeit not fond of the tragedy, I absolutely love how full of terrible, or just non-ideal, things the song can be, but then this line hits. Then it’s like, “Oh.” And it is sooo stabilizing. Yet, also, ironic.

I did listen to many of her songs while I was growing up, maybe chasing a similar effect and/or state (but don’t get me started about her more hot-tempered songs because I totally enjoyed those too! Talk about snapping!). Going back, though, I remember listening to Hand In My Pocket a lot as well and found it profoundly reassuring. It is, to me, such an ‘Everybody starts somewhere’ anthem. Plus, her personality is all over it. And this is just another example of the gem that she is.

I am so fortunate I didn’t miss out on Alanis Morissette’s art during my upbringing that I have to try really hard not to project my inclinations & preferences onto others and feel sorry for them if they did. And if that’s the case for you, I don’t know how to console you. Other than, hey, it is not too late!

There's an Exclusive Uniquenes to You

It sounds fake, but it’s not. You are unique. Exclusively so. Whether that’s something you reveal, let come through, and highlight is on you. If not completely, then partly.

It won’t make sense if you tend to strip subjects and objects to their bare structure and most basic components, missing nuance, ignoring context, and overlooking what’s clearly in sight. You may assume that this makes you more profound, more metaphysical, but really… it only makes you blind to what the spot that only you take has to offer.

Because think about it. Who else is exactly like you? And where are they? The mere fact that they aren’t precisely where you are, in either time or space, already differentiates them from you. You may share traits, a bunch of them, eerily so, but you’re in different realities. And that’s already two wholly different points of view.

So even when it seems as though all’s been done, it hasn’t. You may just need to be more attentive, take another angle, and get to appraising what you, from where you are, best can. Lean into it. Don’t try to replicate what others are doing. Try to map out what others can’t or would struggle to. That is how to be original.

Tried and proven formulas for success are fine. You can work with them in a few or many instances. But if you want to bring something of your own, to integrate with these formulas or while completely dismissing them, you’ve got to start from where you’re standing.

You’ll notice, if you really look, that you’re both filled and engulfed by infinitely more than you could ever ask for and that even a lifetime might not be enough to fully depict everything. So you get to choose what to focus on. What, of everything, will you bring attention to? Sometimes what’s important is already tugging at you, but sometimes it is elusive and you must search and search until you find it.

From there, it is your dedication to manifesting and materializing it that will make or break something exceptional.

Capricorn's Season

♑ CAPRICORN

As we enter the season of Capricorn, it is believed that the universe will be affecting us with energies that will cause us to work diligently and pursue goals. We will be more in tune with our ambitions, and abilities to plan and persevere will be enhanced. If you are receptive to them, you might be imbued with discipline and commitment. If you are resistant to them, you might be conflicted with rigidity and workaholism. If you are completely blocked out, you might not notice them at all. And if you don't pay enough attention, you might miss opportunities to create long-term success.

Motivational Quote: "Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world."

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Forging & Enriching Your Spirit

Ever wondered why you’re here? Why are we all? There are numerous theories and beliefs surrounding that, but many of them seem to agree that we have a soul. More precisely, some would argue, that we ARE a soul and we have a body. Our body is merely the vehicle for it while we’re on Earth.

And if that’s the case, what are we supposed to be doing? Why come here? Is this a playground, a school, or a prison? Or some kind of mix? Whatever it is and whatever you’d call it, one thing is for sure: we learn, the easy or the hard way, but we learn. Or at least, some of us do.

If learning is at the core of our purpose, and drawing and incorporating lessons from what we get to be and do while we’re here is the whole point, is life here only a means to forge and enrich our spirit? Adopting this outlook puts plenty into perspective, including the cycles that repeat over and over again until we finally break them.

Certainly, however, we don’t all leave with the same. There’s this idea that, before incarnating, we know exactly what we’re coming here for and it can be very specific. Therefore, the circumstances surrounding our birth, upbringing, and all that follows, are chosen and arranged to deliver the established outcome. It’s our ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’, and every tiny little thing, led to it.

Some detest this concept, as it implies that freedom is an illusion and that we’re forever subjected to what is already in store for us. Others find it comforting, figuring that then there is something to take away even from the worst events endured. However, the truth might not be so set in stone. Perhaps a shift is possible.

Nevertheless, looking back and looking forward, what seems to be shaping you or trying to shape you? Into what, exclusively? What are recurring scenarios that you’re stuck in or that level you further within them? After everything that you’ve been through, what do you carry inside, and what does it crave you move towards?

If you’ve merely been given the opportunities but the rest is up to you, are you failing or succeeding at tending to this constellation of ordainings? Would you have to come back and try again because it went so poorly or because you still have a long way to go and this is only a part of it? What would your next life look like then?

Are you being rewarded or are you being punished? Or neither, and yet, you’re still studious?

13th Sagittarius

If you were born on the 13th, under the sign of Sagittarius, congratulations!
It is a peculiar juxtaposition, astonishing to pause and look at more closely, with Sagittarius being the emblem of Fortune and 13th the emblem of Misfortune.

The Sagittarius sign is often viewed as the ‘luckiest’ sign of the zodiac. However, you could argue that this is merely an illusion. Somebody who embodies the character attributed to it could seem ‘lucky’ because of how optimistic, opportunistic, and, overall, appreciative they can be. And how these qualities, in return, bring more for them to be even more so. They carry the attitude and, without much, if any complaining, put in the work of continuing forward. And that usually gets them through and out of the stickiest situations, which, perhaps more than anybody else, they’d rather not remain in. Then, speaking of sticky situations. Let’s say the number 13th is cursed, as superstitions would say, and is indeed ‘unlucky’ to have (or even see). Let’s say somebody born this day seems to be constantly showered with “bad luck”. And yet, they somehow handle it - or attempt to. Would that suggest that they are fated with tricky challenges? If that is so, is the luckiest sign, Sagittarius, meeting the unluckiest number, 13th, someone tasked with, and particularly endowed for, facing, overcoming, and mastering even the most absurd and ridiculous scenarios going against them? For better or for worse, they may even seek them out!

Prominent themes include:

- Disarming and turning around unfavorable circumstances.

- Sympathizing with and assisting those who do not have the odds in their favor.

- “The hardest battle for the strongest warrior.”

Are you a 13th Sagittarius? And have you met any other 13th Sagittarius? Maybe, even if quite different on the surface, you share a few things in common, besides your birthday!

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Temporarily a Stray

If you feel like you’ve been left alone, out in the cold dark, despite repeatedly calling and reaching out, this is for you.

Focus on yourself for a while. Whether that’s by doing work or by getting rest. Make the most of this “solitary” period. Because chances are that you will soon have more people around you than you can even count. And you will belong there with them.

It won’t matter how much is sitting in your bank account, how many follow you on social media, or the amount of awards you have been recognized with. Although, granted, these can point to characteristics that have merit too and/or make you valuable in some way. But I digress. It won’t even matter much if you’re somebody’s favorite or not.

As long as you’re a genuine person, sincere with others, and devoted to being and doing your best, you will fit marvelously with those who are the same and believe that “the more, the merrier”. Sometimes you just oughta give the universe time to move things around and make space. (And maybe yell and wave a little louder and clearer, just in case.)

You Might Not Change The World But...

You could be particularly ambitious, and whether your ambitions are realistic or unrealistic is another matter. The issue is that, if you are, you are pulled to dream big. So big you might yearn to cause a massive and long-lasting impression on the entire globe. Perhaps even beyond.

For better or for worse, and against the odds, some make it. You could say that they were born for it, as countless factors had to come into play for it to happen, many out of their own control, aligning perfectly to push them forward and up. As if it were fate.

You might not be one of them, but merely be in the pool of those with a comparatively higher chance to wind up with them, and maybe you’ll get quite close but not quite there, and that’s how it goes. Yet, if so, did you miss out or are you comfortably right where you belong?

Regardless of how far you manage to get, if you’re that ambitious, you’d prefer to at least aim for something grander than the usual. Seeing yourself in circular or dead-end roles simply doesn’t go with you. And the mere idea of it can be demoralizing. Not everyone will be understanding of this, possibly not even yourself, but if it is the case, you must go for it.

Convincing yourself and others that you’re both worthy and capable can be tricky (not to mention insulting). If life gives you tests, this would be one. It doesn’t necessarily measure character, but it measures your ability to navigate obstacles, in and out, visible and invisible, right in front of your face or further ahead, coming at you from all around, and deploying unbelievable antics to thwart and sabotage you. People aren’t simply going to hand you the world, or a huge chunk of it, on a silver platter. Not unless you have the privilege of that unfair advantage.  

Yet, if you crave to keep pushing yourself, checking just how much you can get away with, few things can stop you. You would be your best friend or your worst enemy, choosing whether or not you are deterred by what can be overcome.

Ultimately, “luck” or “divine order” might not be in your favor for what you assume, believe, or wish was your place. However, don’t take for granted everything else that you can nonetheless accomplish that also significantly impacts the world. 

Christmas Month

December is here!
It’s Christmas (/holidays) time.
You can expect an emphasis on altruism-related content.

Winter Once More

Winter arrives once more...
Do you know what that means?
It means, at last, we can sit back.
Let out a long sigh.
Spend time with our close ones (and oneself).