A Study in Patience | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Study in Patience

Or, how I wasted an entire morning waiting for an e-mail.

21
A Study in Patience
Best Friend Books, LLC

I've never been a particularly patient person. My father used to say, "It's your way or the highway." And, I suppose, he is still correct in his assessment. Whether it was ending relationships, quitting several jobs throughout my working life, moving, or simply wanting to live on my terms, I usually get my way. My way has sometimes been risky and ill-advised. However, this year has shown that, I was likely on the right path all along.

This year, I realized that I'm really and truly a working artist — a professional. Everything I do is related to the arts in some way. Over the last couple years, many things I do in my free time is related to the arts. Sometimes, it means designing (or trial-by-fire-designing-when-I-really-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing") sets for our local civic theatre. Other times, I actually paint pictures of blues singers. Sometimes, I talk to groups about my career and my process. And, talking to groups of people is something I'm terrified of doing. In this last year, I have found that it's not so hard to talk about things you love — and strangely enough, I know much more than I give myself credit for knowing.

As many of you know from previous posts, I recently started a business partnership with my best friend, Lisa Combs. We had been apart for nearly 20 years—time that only made our friendship stronger. Best Friend Books is to be our "retirement" job. It's the most creatively satisfying work I've ever done. And, much to my surprise, I'm getting better at what I do. This is in large part owed to the brilliant mind and imagination of my business partner. Illustrating and marketing Best Friend Books has not exactly improved my patience. I want our books to be in the hands of every child and adult everywhere and make a million dollars so we can create more great stuff all the time and travel around to talk to people about Best Friend Books, loving-kindness, mindfulness and acceptance. How long could it possibly take?!

Today, we are likely to release our third children's book, "You Can Sit With Me." I think it's our best yet. In fact, I "wasted" nearly the whole morning waiting to get the go-ahead to release this title from CreateSpace. (Createspace is the platform that allows us to self-publish.) I could barely concentrate on anything else, except for compulsively drinking coffee and leaping onto the internet whenever I heard a message notification.

Lisa has passed along two new manuscripts—I did manage to sketch cover ideas for both.

I'm still waiting, impatiently, for a "release" email.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179652
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6763
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452156
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23110
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments