The Terribly Awesome Journey of a Creative Mind

We all collect lessons as we walk through life—lessons from personal experiences, from the individuals we admire, and even from our mistakes. The most significant ones that have helped us grow, stumble, and stand back up stronger. They are not rigid rules—they’re flexible, adaptive insights that have shaped the journey. 

The Passion That Ignites Your Soul 

There’s a fire that exists in each of us...

It’s that thing we think about when the world is quiet that lights us up inside, even when life feels heavy. Finding that fire, that passion isn’t always easy, but once you do, it changes everything.

It took me a while to discover what ignited my soul. I have been involved in many things—clothing design, street art, branding, slinging code, and creating—but it wasn’t until I trusted my instincts and allowed myself to follow what truly excited me that I began to find my way. That’s how passion works sometimes—it sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Christian Dior’s story comes to mind here. We all know the brand, the elegance, and the revolutionary impact Dior had on fashion. But Dior didn’t start as a fashion designer.

He followed the path his family laid out for him, studying political science to appease his parents. It wasn’t until he reached his 40s—an age many might consider “too late”—that he pivoted toward what indeed fueled him.

Imagine the courage it took for Dior to step into the world of fashion after facing several personal and professional setbacks, including the collapse of his art gallery during the Great Depression.

The stars aligned when he finally found his way into fashion. His debut collection, featuring the famous “New Look,” took the world by storm in 1947, redefining women’s fashion post-World War II.

 

 

Today, Dior is synonymous with elegance, but it all began with that leap of faith—trusting the passion within. Dior didn’t wait for someone to tell him it was okay to follow his passion. He didn’t wait for permission. He followed the fire inside him and embraced the challenges; the rest is history.

His journey is a reminder that passion has no expiration date. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many times you’ve started over—once you find what ignites your soul, run toward it. Trust that the universe responds to that kind of energy. The obstacles will come, but they aren’t there to stop you; they’re there to shape you.

Happiness vs. Joy

We chase it, don’t we? We chase it like it’s the answer to everything. “I’ll be happy when I get my products on that website or boutique.” “I’ll be happy when I’ve made enough money to hire the finest PR studio .”

It’s always something on the horizon, just out of reach. But what I’ve come to learn is that happiness tied to outcomes is fleeting.

It slips through your fingers when you think you’ve caught it.

The true story about Charles and Ray Eames, two of the most iconic designers of the 20th century. If you’ve ever seen an Eames chair, you know its sleek, functional, and effortlessly beautiful work.

But what I want to focus on isn’t their success; it’s the joy they found in creating. The Eameses didn’t set out to become famous.

They weren’t chasing happiness through accolades or wealth. They were chasing joy—the joy of working together, solving problems creatively, and experimenting with materials and ideas.

Their studio was their playground, a place where work and life blended seamlessly because what they did wasn’t just a job; it was their passion. They found joy in the journey, creating, not just in the result.

 

 

Their approach to life and work teaches us something critical: Joy is found in the process. It’s found in the moments of curiosity, the deep focus, the love for what you’re doing.

Happiness might come and go, depending on whether you achieve a particular goal, but joy is more profound. It’s what sustains you, even when the world isn’t applauding.

So take a moment to reflect: Where in your life are you chasing happiness? And where are you finding joy?

"If we can learn to focus on the process—on the things that truly bring us joy—we’ll see that life feels fuller, richer, and far more satisfying."

 

The Illusion of Success

Success.

We’re taught to chase it when we understand the concept—achieve, climb higher, reach for more. But what does success mean? Is it a title? Wealth? Recognition?

For years, I chased a version of success that wasn’t mine. I followed the metrics the world handed me, believing I’d finally feel fulfilled once I reached the top of the mountain.

When I think about success, one person comes to mind immediately: Steve Jobs. The world knows Jobs as a visionary, a pioneer who changed how we live with Apple’s creation. However, Jobs’ story is more complex than the shiny veneer of innovation.

He had an extraordinary mind, but his story is remarkable because his definition of success evolved.

In Apple’s early years, Jobs was singularly focused on innovation. He wanted to disrupt, push boundaries, and create something the world had never seen. And he did.

But at a certain point, his drive for perfection and relentless pursuit of success alienated those around him. In 1985, Jobs was fired from the very company he had built from the ground up.

 

Imagine that for a moment—the humiliation, the sense of failure. It could have broken him. But instead, Jobs used that time away from Apple to redefine himself. He started NeXT and acquired Pixar, which would revolutionize animation.

He had a different perspective when he eventually returned to Apple in the late ’90s. Success wasn’t just about the product anymore for him; it was about leaving a legacy, about creating something meaningful that would endure long after he was gone.

Jobs once said, “I want to put a ding in the universe.”

And he did. But his real success wasn’t in the iPhone or the MacBook—it was in his ability to evolve, rise after falling, and learn that success isn’t a fixed destination but a constant journey.

Like Jobs, Kobe Bryant knew that success was not merely about personal gain but about inspiring others to reach their fullest potential.

Kobe said, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people to be great in whatever they want to do.”

Bryant knew that success wasn’t just about winning championships or being the best on the court—it was about lifting others and leaving a legacy that inspired the next generation.

Ultimately, real success is about impact, the lives you touch, and the inspiration you leave behind.

Responsibility and Freedom

We often think of freedom as the absence of responsibility—as the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want. But I’ve understood that absolute freedom comes from taking ownership of your life and embracing responsibility, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable.

Stevie Nicks’ story is a true inspiration.

For years, Nicks was the face of Fleetwood Mac, the ethereal, mystical rock goddess who captivated millions. But behind the glitter and the stage lights, she was struggling. The lifestyle that came with fame—the parties, the drugs, the endless touring—began to take its toll. Nicks found herself battling addiction, and it wasn’t until she walked away from the band that she began to reclaim her freedom.

She made a choice. She knew she would lose herself altogether if she didn’t take responsibility for her health and well-being. Walking away wasn’t easy—Fleetwood Mac was everything she had known for years.

But she understood that true freedom wasn’t found in the success of being on stage every night. It was found in the quiet decision to save herself, to step back and heal.

In one interview, Nicks said leaving Fleetwood Mac wasn’t just about getting clean. It was about rediscovering who she was outside of the band, outside of the expectations the world had placed on her.

 

 

She didn’t walk away from music but found a way to do it on her terms. 

That’s what freedom looks like—taking responsibility for your choices and your life and finding the courage to say no when something no longer serves you.

This reminds me of a powerful quote from Dave Chappelle, who famously walked away from a $50 million contract with Comedy Central at the height of his career. People thought he was crazy, but Chappelle understood something many didn’t:

“The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching.” 

Like Nick’s, Chappelle’s story is about reclaiming freedom through responsibility. He knew that continuing down the path others had laid out for him—no matter how lucrative—would cost him his sanity and peace of mind. He boldly chose to step away and return to comedy on his terms when he was ready. And when he did, he returned more vital, grounded, and in control of his narrative.

Finally…

Life is full of lessons—some painful, some beautiful, but all necessary for growth. Remember, the insights we gather aren’t rigid rules—they’re ultra-flexible and modal.

They evolve as we evolve. Take what resonates, reshape it, and make it a part of your creative journey.

— JSPC ] W A  N T O N / Street Artists [