Linearity

"Success is not something we reach at a linear point."

The western world (or someone/ something) has drilled it into our heads that success is measured in a linear manner. Point A will lead you to point B which will finally lead you somewhere down the road to the Gold Mine of LINEAR SUCCESS.

You apply to a college of choice, get an education, you find the perfect internship which leads into a promising young career, followed possibly by yet another degree or two, then you are on your merry way to a "career" with the perfect salary, prestige and perhaps even fame.

WHATEVER!

So the other day when I saved a goose from oncoming traffic (true story) or the time I volunteered to teach photography to kids, neither of those things were successes? Did they make no difference because I gained no monetary rewards from the deed? Or is it because I couldn't put it on my ever evolving resume/CV?

What is a career? What is success?

My passion in life is observing, recording and cataloging the human experience through a long time under appreciated discipline known as ART. My passion will probably not lead me to the holy grail of career success, but I assure you (and myself) that I will not feel like I have not been successful. With every click of the shutter button and every stroke of a paint brush, I will be successful just for having created something out of nothing (well not really out of nothing but you get the point).

So bring it on LINEAR SUCCESS! I refuse to let you drag me down into feelings of inadequacy.