Give It Up for the Angel of Defeatism?
Just yesterday, when I took a much-needed break from working hard on my latest art masterpiece, a self-portrait soon to be unveiled, entitled: Miss Frozen Peas, 2013,I encountered a young man playing the Sitar.
Mr. Sitar-Player had seated himself at a bistro table in front of the local food co-op. His sitar was gorgeous (wow, what an instrument); his playing heavenly.
As he began his second piece, a young woman who worked in the co-op ventured out and said to him, as sweetly as can be, “You can play here, but you cannot sit here. It’s for the coop customers.” About face, she walked away.
Mr. Sitar-Player turned to me and said, “Just like them to turn down a gift. That’s it. I’m out of here.”
I replied, “Well, she does have a point. And this is a good spot, isn’t it? Lots of foot traffic, people in and out of the co-op, ample opportunities for people to drop dollar bills in your sitar case, no?
“Why don’t you buy yourself one of those little folding chairs. You can have your cake and eat it too; you can sit on it, stay here, share your heavenly music, collect dollar bills; maybe even five dollar bills.”
He continued to express his displeasure about this situation and life-in-general. A defeatist, if ever I met one.
I couldn’t help myself. I offered some free coaching advice—food for thought. I said, “This is a minor obstacle. Truly. If you give up this easily on the small stuff, how do you handle the major obstacles?”
I dropped a dollar bill in his case and went my merry way, walking the 0.3 miles back to my studio.
As I walked, I thought: Maybe Mr. Sitar-Player was The Angel of Defeatism, and I might learn from him (negative role models are the best). The next time I feel frustrated and want to toss my art, Miss Frozen Peas, 2013, into the trash, I will find a better way!
Lessons Learned:
Don’t Give Up.
Negative Role Models Rock.
Thank you for being so negative, Mr. Sitar-Player. You brightened my day.
Tomorrow, tune in for 10 quotes that will help you to NEVER GIVE UP!!!
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Deliciously yours,
Janice Taylor
wise * fun * utterly useful
