[CDS]

Originally Posted by ALL*MYTEE

I dropped a successful graphic design company at around 30 to write a book. I felt much older and stiffer then I do now at 40. The decision plunged me into poverty, uncertainty, doubt and fear--for more than five years--and it was the best thing I've ever done. It also gave me years of free time to figure, contemplate, relax, explore and create. I never starved, never missed a month of rent (though it was late once or twice and I had to sell some killer guitars). Though I certainly thought I was going to. My "successful" graphic design business means almost nothing to me now. I'm glad I did it instead of waiting tables, but it didn't mean anything for me like my book. Even though it made me a lot of money and gave everyone in my life an easy way to understand who I was and "where I was going". I'm much more clear on the truth that "man cannot live by bread alone" these days.

We're not here to survive or pay rent but to live. And no one can give you a job doing that.

God bless you as this passage is also the story of my life as well :)

Very few people are prepared to take 3 steps backwards to take 10 steps forward on life's ladder.

Making these types of decisions are not easy because you will struggle, family and friends will talk about you like a dog and treat you with no respect because they just won't "get it".

If you can survive the years of pure hell that will break the common man, you just may emerge with the life you always wanted.

I remember sitting at my desk at Sam Ash Pro in '99 and a buddy (who used to sell gear on the street level of S.A) came by and said "Look at you, here you are and your life is going nowhere... You sit here everyday and help people who you are more talented than and look at me, I have no money and no job, but I make music everyday and take a break to see a few movies then back to the studio! Im happy with no money and your miserable with a paycheck."

Biggest wakeup call in my path and now I have to say after many years of challanges...

For me also, It has indeed been worth it.

If i could go back to 18 years old, I would have still done it all again but after taking the few years to obtain a law degree lol.