As Is

Photo Credit: Lori Shin

Right now my livelihood exists between two worlds. I have certifications in reflexology and hypnotherapy, and enjoy working with people with these amazing healing modalities. My income bread and butter, so to speak, is graphic design. Graphic design and production work has been something I can depend on, and have worked in the field for over twenty-five years. Possessing a BFA in Advertising Design, I focus primarily on printed work, from packaging, to brochures. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the graphics industry, since I produced work way before computers handed accessibility to virtually anyone who could maneuver a mouse. I do my best to “do my best” for my clients, with my creativity, availability time-wise, charging a reasonable fee for my services, to encourage continued and steady work, and I ask questions and communicate clearly, so I provide my clients with the end result their clients need.

I run a “virtual” office out of my home these days, which is pretty fun. My commute takes a couple of seconds, I save on filling the auto with octane, I can stop to console my sometimes overly vocal cat, Sturgis, and brew myself a cup of fragrant herbal tea, choosing my beverage by my mood, energy, and craving. I stay in constant contact with the “team” of people I work with, through web-based e-mail and Skype.

An inexpensive yet capable set of speakers attached to my computer provides ongoing entertainment through my workday, if I choose. As I work on various graphic files, I opt to listen from an extensive menu of satisfying sound choices. My iTunes library has music for every mood, and sometimes I set iTunes to shuffle through my diverse musical library. When it comes to my favorite internet-radio selections, my tastes explore inspirational, metaphysical programming from Hayhouse Radio.com (click here for a website link) to eclectic music like Radio Paradise.com, where I never know what I might hear. I trust something will get my little brain-wheels turning, or bring a smile to my heart. Something old, something new, something familiar, something foreign, I open myself to whatever ends up on my life's daily playlist.

Ani DiFranco, photo credit: Danny Clinch

Someone I hold dear in my heart gave me a CD she didn’t want for her own music collection. I accepted the music gladly. The artist/musician Ani DiFranco expresses her unique view of the world with her personal reflection; raw and revealing, compassionate and passion-driven music and word. Ani approaches her musical craft with vitality, wisdom, and gusto. I appreciate her humor, her insight, and her devotion to unify her creativity with her local and global community. I’ve purchased several of her CDs in the past, so this new music was a welcome addition to my collection. Explore Ani and her independent recording label, righteousbabe.com.

Ani DiFranco’s own hand-picked essential collection spanning 1990-2006 is called Canon, released in 2007. In a visually thoughtful designed packaged two-disc set, this assortment invites listeners to the perfect introduction to a very influential recording artist and woman. (DiFranco’s packaging has won graphic accolades in the past.)

I’ve provided the lyrics of one song from Canon entitled “As Is". A gentle, lyrical song-journey glimpse into anyone’s shadow self, sort of a simple musical snapshot, this song brings a smile to my day. (If you load it into iTunes and have the repeat one mode selected, it's a flawless loop.)

As I continue working (on wholeness in my world, while working diligently for my clients and their deadlines), I relish in being in the place of “as is”, dismissing judgment, and welcoming the humanness of just "being"; absolutely conscious to welcoming whatever comes my way. (You can order this tune, also featured on the Ani DiFranco CD entitled Little Plastic Castle using the iTunes link on the right side of this blog page.)

as is
you can't hide
behind social graces
so don't try
to be all touchy feely
cuz you lie
in my face of all places
but i've got no
problem with that really

what bugs me
is that you believe what you're saying
what bothers me
is that you don't know how you feel
what scares me
is that while you're telling me stories
you actually
believe that they are real

and i've got
no illusions about you
and guess what?
i never did
and when i said
when i said i'll take it
i meant,
i meant as is

just give up
and admit you're an asshole
you would be
in some good company
i think you'd find
that your friends would forgive you
or maybe i
am just speaking for me

cuz when i look around
i think this, this is good enough
and i try to laugh
at whatever life brings
cuz when i look down
i just miss all the good stuff
when i look up
i just trip over things

and i've got
no illusions about you...
cuz i've got
no illusions about you
and guess what?
i never did
and when i say
when i say i'll take it
i mean,
i mean as is...

...as is...

Ani DiFranco