This morning I read a post written by Chris Brogan called The Painter and His Window. As I finished reading his post, I found myself drawn into a contemplative arena in which I sought to find the parallels between the painter and myself.
It’s funny how often our lives are seen by other people in a way that is so much different than how we see ourselves. I don’t know how to determine who’s actually seeing the truth, because our souls are so consumed with the search for significance.
To be important. To feel important. To think that others think we’re important.
I’m a firm believer that we close our windows 95% of the time – that we fail to allow others to look in not nearly as much as we should. We have beauty. We paint beautifully. We are beautiful people. But we tragically make the mis-diagnosis that we’re unworthy in the eyes of others.
So we paint pictures that we think other people want to look at. We use colors that we feel others want to see, and deliberately go out of our way to appease them.
How many songs have you written that remain unheard? How many times have you crumpled up the sketch that others did not see?
I can tell you from personal experience that there is an infinite amount of themes that have not made it to the StudioPress website. Ones that I felt would not have been liked by others, so they ended up where so many of my creative works end up.
Behind a closed window. For no one to see. Ever.
I deeply encourage you, like Chris did, to open up your window for others to look into. You might meet some interesting people. More importantly, you might discover yourself while it’s open.
Hey Brian,
I too enjoyed the post by Chris Brogan this morning with many of the comments and view points being just as awesome as the article. Your post expands on the question of “what if the painter never put in the window?”; What a loss that would be. I think it was Zig Ziglar who said too many people go to their graves with their song still in them. I have to agree.
I know it’s important to stay properly focused, but a little window time can make the ride that much more enjoyable. It’s all in how you balance it.
Thanks Brian for opening the StudioPress window for the rest of us to see in. I admire you and the work you guys do.
Scott
Great comment Scott, and thanks for mentioning Zig Ziglar. It is a sad fact, that so many people keep so much inside – and they fail to embrace the idea that others care and want to be a part of their lives.
We all go through seasons, myself included, where it’s safer to remain introverted and keep the window closed.
I believe that there are experiences that happened in one’s life that makes a person close their windows for others to view. And usually, it’s hurtful events.
Personally, I feel that ‘serving’ has opened up my windows more. Much like the painter, the people gathering were entertained by his painting. The power of curiosity.
My question is, how much opening do you want your windows to be?
Sometimes, it’s better to close the window….
Like I mentioned in my reply to Scott – I think that it’s a seasonal thing. I know that I have personally gone through many seasons where I’ve had the window wide opened, but others where it was locked shut.
This post, and Chris’s, resonates with me a great deal. I keep a good amount of things behind a closed window – - not just from a design standpoint (though, I do have hard drives full of discarded work, as do you).
I am a card carrying introvert and opening my window, little by little, is a constant work in progress for me – - but over the past couple years, I’ve seen a tremendous benefit to cracking it open once in awhile
The fresh air can work wonders!
Nice post, Brian
Thanks Lisa – appreciate you dropping by to comment. From last year at WordCamp when you said you hated to public speaking now to being a regular speaker at all the Camps, I can affirm your growth in opening your window.
Ok. Attempt 4. Um, 5. If you’re reading this, let’s call that progress.
Well.
Shoot.
I guess I’ll just say that I relate.
Baby steps, ya know.
Brian,
What a great thought! This is a great way to kick off my week. Thanks for sharing, it’s time to let some air in through the window!
Ahhh…that idea of seasons (as mentioned in the comments) – so true. Perhaps that’s part of the journey, the season’s of our life, too. Still, as I read this – I’m also just drawn into the idea that I should open that window more often…let the “me” out that is there…
And that’s a deeply connecting thought for me today…
Hey Brian, do you have anything else coming up on the blog soon? I miss you insights and wisdom. I would love to see and hear more about what’s going on.
Wow Brian
“It’s funny how often our lives are seen by other people in a way that is so much different than how we see ourselves.”
How true is that.
“To be important. To feel important. To think that others think we’re important.”
As Margaret Thatcher said… “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.”
Love the post Brian.
I blog on Public Speaking and this would make a great speech.