man's best friend

Faithfulness, loyalty, companionship, unconditional love ... I think it's interesting that all of these traits are used to describe both God and dogs.

Over the past year we have raised our black lab Samson, the handsome one, from puppy to adult and added our second dog Ben, the crazy one, to the mix. I never thought I would learn so much about confidence, patience and anger all from a couple of dogs. But prior to this I had never really owned a dog of my own. I had grown up with pets, but I was never the one responsible for taking care of them. So when it came time to train, exercise and clean up after them it felt a bit overwhelming.

When I walk them I sometimes get so frustrated when they pull me, or rather constantly pull the whole time, that I have this sort of power struggle with them and yank them harder than I should. (You should know that when I walk them it's on a short leash with the purpose of keeping them next to or behind me.) I know yanking them is not best practice by any means, but I'm working on. So anyways, I find myself praying a lot on walks to help me be patient and focus on being my dogs pack leader.

So the other night as we were ending our walk the dogs started acting up again, and again I tried to put them in their place. Immediately afterwards I thought how God is so patient with us that it amazed me how He deals with us even when we are rebellious and strongly pull in our own direction. But then it hit me that God doesn't hold us on a leash. He's given us free will and the choice to accept His love or not. But the worst part was the realization that I do more of the leash holding in my relationship with God. I try and bring Him under control to my liking and obey my every command, just like my dogs. This was shocking to me, because I had never thought about my relationship with the one who created me like this before.

But even more amazing is how God is love and no matter how much we hurt Him His love is unconditional. Just like a dog, whose minds are quick to forget and live in the moment, God is able to forgive us through the blood of Jesus and love us "in the moment" of every day of our lives. And it's not just in walking my dog that I find myself wanting to take control over God. I am constantly having to die to myself in my marriage, at work and a lot of the time behind the wheel.

Update: The last few days on my walks with the dogs I've been focusing more on enjoying the walk and less on controlling them, and that's helped tremendously. I know that practice and patience and daily exercise are the key ingredients to keeping me and my dogs happy.

thoughts on creativity

"Creativity is more important than knowledge" -Albert Einstein

Over the past month I've turned my focus more internally to see what I might find. It's easy for me to find a new activity and become so engrossed in it that I lose site of the more important things. And this blog was becoming that distraction for me. Not that I regret it or think anything negative of it. Because my blog was, and will remain, a great tool for me to share who I am. But it's important for me to stop and look around once in a while at what my desire each day is set on.

The week before Christmas really took a toll on me. I was under a heavy workload with a tight deadline and all I could focus on was just making it through one more day. I didn't want to stop and enjoy the day for what it was. I was taking time for granted. I was being selfish with how I spent my time. And then I had to get all the pre-travel plans in order. Not that any of this is worth mentioning, but it felt like a heavy load to bare.

Can creativity really be lost once we've found it?

Why do I feel so empty and unable to make anything worthwhile?

Sometimes the easiest answers are always the ones we don't see. But when I drift away on some rickety float in to the middle of self-doubt I don't see anything but negative space all around me. A void. Yet the simplest things like a child smiling or the sky at sunset can turn my heart from red to green. And then I feel free again to accelerate in life. Because the real truth is God doesn't care if I believe in Him or not, He believes in me. And He is always there with me, not judging me or dictating my life, but offering me a greater way to live. He's giving me the choice! Wow! I don't know of anyone else who is so patient, so loving, and so creative in the ways He chooses to show His love for me.

One final thought. While visiting my grandparents over the holidays I had the great fortune of looking at old slides from when my grandparents were still young. Things seemed a lot simpler in those pictures. Those moments captured in time. And the way my grandfather narrated the whole presentation, it made me want the simple things in life. Not that this is some sort of New Year's resolution, but more of a shift in my soul, my spirt.

the gift of receiving

Quick update. These past few weeks have been quite busy for me, especially at work where we've picked up a few new clients. So I've been racing to finish as much work before I leave for vacation tomorrow. I'm going home to Alabama for a week to visit family and friends. Then last weekend was packed full of excitement, my wife came down with a horrible stomach bug that kept her in bed all day Saturday while I went to my company Christmas party, and then Sunday was our anniversary. So I would apologize for not writing sooner, but I think it's understandable. However, I did want to share something with you that hit me yesterday in a brief moment of inspiration while I was in the bathroom.

I once had a friend tell me the he wanted to be a janitor so he could serve people. At the time I thought that was very Godly of him. But was that really the plan God had for him? Sure it's a nice sentiment to say that we will do the dirtiest job, in the name of God, but is that truly what we are called to do? So often what we hear from the world, from the church, from friends, family, all these external sources, can cloud our better judgement, and ultimately skew the plan God has for us.

I mean what sounds more Christian to you? Setting off to Africa to serve as a missionary for 1 year and preach the name of Jesus, or keep working at my 9-5 job where I (insert your job here). I think God is in both of those decisions, but what "sounds" more Godly? I feel this is what God is trying to teach me right now. He's saying, "look at your life, the life I've given you, the way I've made you, now look at the life you're leading, the decisions on your horizon, which is most like you?" I think we would be surprised at what God has to say about this. I know I've thought about missions before, talked with my wife about it and all, but that wasn't something etched in to the very design of my heart.

But what about when Jesus says "Go into the world and preach the gospel...". I think that was a great order given to his disciples. But is that the same thing He's telling us? The bible is not living, it's just a book with words in it, but the Holy Spirit is alive, and He is the one that speaks to us through scriptures and other means. God's plan is ultimately the same for everyone, but He uses each of us uniquely.

So coming back to my friend who wanted to be a janitor. I think we, as humans, and especially as Christians, get these ideas in our heads of what will make us "good", what will make us "approved", but those things, if done out of pride or selfishness, will only lead us further from the truth. I don't want to speak on behalf of God's plan for my life, or yours, I want to listen and accept the perfect will of God for mine and my families life. Because in doing so, in receiving from God, that is the most valued gift we can have in this life.

tree of life

Staring out my car window, parked next to my house, I noticed the two bushes that were planted as a mere covering for the eye sore that is our ac unit. The one thing that's always caught my attention since moving in close to a year ago is how one of the bushes is completely dead, and the other is full of life and green as can be. Both bushes receive the same amount of sunlight day after day and both are on fertile soil. Yet the one on the left remains dead and void of any life.

So why am I writing about my two bushes that remain as a covering for the eye sore that is our ancient ac unit? Glad you asked. As I was sitting in my car staring at them God spoke to me "choose this day what tree you will eat from, the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?" And my answer was a no brainer when looking at the contrast between the bush that was brown and ugly and void any life, and the bush that was green and vibrant and it's leaves reaching to the sky in full splendor. I choose life.

I want this life. The fullness of life found in Jesus Christ. The life that is always full of life and beautiful and reaching evermore for the light. I'm amazed at how God offers us His simple truths hidden in plain view every day of our lives. If only we can stop a second and think on Him and quiet our hearts to hear what He might say we might be amazed. I know I was today.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Further reading:

Genesis 2:9

"And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

Proverbs 11:30

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise."

Revelation 2:7

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

sharing with you

Last week I posted a few lessons I've learned along the way that I wanted to share with you. And in return I asked for you to respond with your own lessons in life, design or faith that you've learned to share with all of us. Now I know this isn't the "end-all-be-all" list of lessons to share with each other, but I'm reminded by what someone smarter than me once said; "you have to start somewhere."

My hopes are that you find something today that will inspire you and help you push past whatever problem you're facing. To encourage you to open up your life and let others help you out. And in the end to help others out the same way.

Aaron Irizarry

- @aaroni268

1. Slow Down - Life can get pretty hectic pretty quick, especially as a designer with deadlines and fast paced work environments. We have to slow down take a deep breath and regain our focus. Creativity or anything for that matter can really suffer if we don't take the time re-group. Ferris Bueller said it best "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
2. No matter how frustrating/end of the world/impossible it gets… stay cool.. It will probably be just fine. Many times I have looked back on frustrating situations, and bad days at work where I lost it.... or thought the apocalypse was happening, only to realize that everything cleared up, all the work got done, no zombies came and ravaged the office. In these times it is good to note that keeping a cool head can save a lot of frustration, or embarrassment as well as keep from putting strain on professional relationships.
3. Don't worry about what others do… get it done and do it right, don't allow others to help you fail. A lot of times when part of a project doesn't get done , or "the powers that be" are laying into the dev team it is easy to point the finger at others for things not getting done. This doesn't bode well in management's eyes. Take responsibility, Don't let others lead you to fail.

Darcy Murphy

- @mrDarcyMurphy

1. Be happy. Seek out happiness before anything else.
2. Be afraid, and face life anyways. You’ll enjoy it more.
3. Listen. Be quiet, don’t judge, simply absorb.
4. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
5. Spend all day thinking about things you need to share.

Kenroy George

- @kengeo

1. Never underestimate people.
2. Always speak up.
3. Do good and it will return to you.
4. Live your own life and not the one other would like you to.

Khayyam Wakil

- @iamkhayyam

1. Accountability. There's no one to blame and when it comes down to it, you're the only one that is responsible. Don't point fingers, if you have to, point it at yourself.
2. Wisdom is what happens when you don't get what you want.
3. Clients usually pick the worst designs, make sure that one is still pretty
4. Know what you're worth and charge accordingly.
5. Learn to say "no". A very empowering word with clients
6. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Find the best and let them do the rest.
7. Keep track of all your working hours as a freelancer. The hours you put in aren't all billable hours, so use your data to help estimate jobs, projects etc. Invaluable need for any designer really.
8. Lists:
   • get that crap out of your head
   • visually see what's required to be done
   • it's nice to check things off, feels good
   • make room for the creativity to flow
9. Speaking of flow... just roll with it. Everything unfolds exactly the way it's supposed to. Program crashed and you lost the file?! There was a reason. Look beyond what you can control and just accept it was randomly on purpose. You might not know why in the moment, but you will... eventually
10. Every problem is just a solution waiting to be found. Perspective makes all the difference.

Lauren Krause

- @creativecurio

1. Have to give a big speech or design the hugest project you’ve ever faced? Remember that people want you to succeed. Sometimes that realization is the confidence boost you need to get through it.
2. If you’re going through a seemingly impossible time, think back to another time that also seemed impossible. How does it look now? That’s how this situation will be, given some time.
3. Life, including design, is an art. Science is an art, too. In other words, no one has all the answers; we’re all just making the decisions that seem best to us with the information and experience we have at the moment.
4. Learn what your strengths are and grow them. The Strengths Finder test is a great resource for this if you’re a little lost.
5. Be aware of yourself—your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, abilities, passions, strengths.
6. But remember, most of the time, it’s not about you.
7. Understanding where someone is coming from (especially when they don’t make sense) is the first step in removing him/her as a threat. We are almost always afraid of what we don’t understand.
8. At the heart of anger is fear.
9. Life is so much more enjoyable when you’re driven by love rather than fear.
10. Being constantly busy—particularly with meaningless "stuff"—is often a cover-up for fear and a lack of direction and passion.

Mirko Humbert

- @mirkohumbert

1. Failure can be funny if you got a sense of humour, don't be afraid.
2. Being stressed on things you have no control on is just stupid, relax.
3. People don't give a shit about you, they're too busy with themselves. Try to find a common ground if you want to communicate with people or they won't pay attention to you.
4. Don't give up, you may not get what you want but at least you'll get something.
5. Your friends are not perfect, you aren't either. Be cool to them.
6. Don't watch tv, it sucks. Go out and meet people.
7. Your parents washed your ass for years, it's not a big deal to visit them and be nice to them sometimes.
8. Do stupid things, you'll have something to talk about later.
9. Everything will be fine, don't worry.

R.A. Porter

- @coyotesqrl

1. No matter how much they cost, if you wear polished shoes to an interview it reflects well on you.
2. When in doubt, the answer is always 7. Unless it's a multiple choice exam. Then it's 'D'.
3. Aloe goes on the *outside*.

Rhonda Michelle Steward

- @rhondamichelle

1. Angry people need more love than happy people
2. Being the first to set the tone goes a long way
3. When your dogs want to go outside go with them
4. Your kids choose you
5. Relocating spiders can change your entire relationship with them
6. Knowing where the main water valve in your home is helpful, no...make that essential
7. The real reason{s} for knowing someone may not be known for many, many years
8. Cell phones can still work after a dunk {or 2} if you dry them out on your car dashboard
9. Hot cocoa will always rock
10. So do grown up versions of mac & cheese
11. No matter what goes wrong at a wedding you’re still married at the end of the day
12. There will always be someone who thinks you’re a design wizard and someone who thinks you’re “on your way” - at the same time, of course
13. The mantra “profit over preference” can focus a design decision with a commercial client

Thanks again to everyone who participated.

share with me

I love helping to bring people together because I know we all learn from each other's mistakes as well as successes. So when I watched Jason Fried speek at the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) 4 Conference last week I was inspired by what he had to say.

In short he compared how chef's have no fear of showing people how to cook the food they love to cook to the way companies fear sharing their information. It was interesting and thought provoking because so many people in the business world want to keep their work a secret, filing patent's and lawsuits day after day. But what Jason says throws all the rules out the window, and it really hit home for me where I agree that we should loosen up and open up our ideas, our visions, our best-practices and share with everyone how to do what we do. Because when we do something well we shouldn't be afraid of sharing that with others in fear that they might do it better than us. That's nonsense.

Here is a short summary of the things I've learned so far and don't mind sharing with you:

1. Disappointments make you stronger in the end
2. Forgiveness always wins over a grudge
3. Brush your teeth before bed
4. Always pack an extra pair of socks
5. Listen to your spouse
6. Knowing God doesn't happen just one day a week
7. Keep a record of your important contacts on paper
8. Learn the shortcut keys in photoshop
9. Dwelling on the past hinders your future
10. Always, always, always return phone calls, emails, tweets, or other forms of contact

Now it's your turn. I would like to hear what you have to share from the lessons you've learned in life, design and faith. Then I will compile the results I get over the next few weeks and put them in one large post, similar to what I did on my "Branded Designers" post. Also, if you'd like to include a link back to yourself please include your website and/or your twitter name.

Share everything you know and don't be afraid.

Thanks everyone.

Meet Aaron Irizarry

I first stumbled upon, no pun intended, Aaron Irizarry a few months ago when I read his article "Blessed are the flexible". As I continued to read his blog I found myself thinking his words where exactly what I had been thinking. Aaron has a very genuine writing style that is easy to read and full of personal experience and compassion. Getting to know and talk with Aaron over these past couple of months have been great. He was even featured in my "Branded Designers" post. We both seem to share a common desire in that we both love design but we want to do more than just use our talents for our own personal gain.

So when I started talking with Chuck Westbrook a few weeks ago, he mentioned that he was also talking with Aaron, and thought it would be a good idea for us, Aaron and I, to do some collaborative work. Well you can look forward to that in the near future, but until then I wanted to do a personal interview with Aaron so you too could get to know him. I have divided the interview into three topic; Life, Design and Faith. I chose to go this route because I wanted to do this interview in a unique way that also tied in to what my site is all about.

1. To start things off, tell us a bit about yourself. Anything at all.

I am a simple man trying to make my way in the universe (quote from Jango Fett in Star Wars - Attack of the clones)

2. Where do you see yourself in the next 5, 10, 15 years?

With grey hair ( I have two daughters)...

Really though I hope to still be an active part of the design community, more on my terms... I have a personal goal to teach or speak at conferences or something along those lines eventually. I really admire Jeffery Zeldman and others who have a wealth of knowledge and experience and gives back to the design community through speaking. Or just running a design firm or art gallery somewhere along the coast, or back east( New England area).

You never know though... it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

3. At the end of your life what do you hope to be remembered for?

Someone who was passionate about what he believed in, and what he loved. Someone who invested in those around him and left things better than he found them.

1. When did you first become cognizant of the fact that design is something you wanted to pursue as a career?

Well I always loved being creative... and it took on different forms of expression. While I was in a band (Point of Recognition) I started trying to make shirts and stickers, and the next thing you know I was hooked and i guess the rest is history.

2. In your own words what would you say are the fundamental elements of design and how do you apply them to your own work?

Not really sure... I know there are answers in a book somewhere, or that you learn in a classroom. I would say that for me personally the most fundamental element of design or creativity is vision. The ability to look at something or hear about it and envision in in a creative form. To hear someone's vision for a product, or something they are passionate about and see the creative expression... to conceptualize it and help them achieve it.

Be flexible, think openly, take risks, and be open to criticism (constructive or otherwise).

I totally just rambled on... but keeping those concepts in mind when designing for work, or just because i have an idea, serve as a good foundation for design, and then add technique, skill, and the desire to make cool stuff, and i am usually heading in the right direction.

wow hope that answers the question... i really rambled there for a minute.... I guess that is the whole reaching my mid 30's thing.

3. Paper or digital? In your opinion which will outlast the other?

Digital will continue to become more practical, and efficient as technology advances, and paper will become a novelty / collectors item. With that said paper doesn't need to be charged, and can't crash or have compatibility issues.

And even though i am not very good at drawing there is a lot to be said for unplugging, sitting down with a pad of paper and either writing out your thoughts or sketching a creative vision. It can be refreshing and i definitely recommend it.

1. Did you grow up in a church?

Yup and hated it. I got to see all the behind the scenes stuff that made me want nothing to do with God or the people who followed him. I was to young to realize that is usually what happens when people lose focus of what a relationship with God was really supposed to be, if you read the bible so much of who Jesus is described as is pretty opposite of what the church is doing today.

I am not the poster boy for modern "Right Wing Christian Fundamentalists" I am not a republican ( I don't think Jesus was either), i dont pretend to be something I am not, I am not perfect, I listen to good music, and I don't judge people, I do have firm beliefs... but it is not my job to change people... that is what God does, but it is my job to represent God, and His love for others by how I live (not just what i say) and interact with others. I believe that Mark Driscol said it best when he said to "Contest and Contextualize" Which means I contest for my beliefs, and don't compromise them, but i do contextualize them and make them real and relevant to others, not by pounding them with rules and a fake do gooder attitudes, but by being an open and honest person and hopefully dispeling the lame stereotypes that we have earned for ourselves as "christians" that often get in the way of people truly experiencing who God is.

I know this... I believe in God, and do my best to live for him openly and honestly, but definitely not perfectly, and hopefully I can contribute something positive to others. Wether they share my beliefs or not. It is the whole "Loving people without an agenda" concept where I have love and respect for all people because they are worth it, not just to get them to believe what I do.

2. When did you realize a relationship with Jesus was more important than any religion?

When I had tried everything on my own ( a whole separate story on it's own), and was still empty inside I knew there was something more... I knew God was real.... but i had so many questions that weren't answered. So i started search for the answers, and the more i tried to disprove, the more it became real to me.

3. As a family man, how would you describe the difference between your relationship with God now as opposed to when you were single?

I have been married for 12 years. It has not always been easy but it has really taught me about living selflessly, and putting other people before me. I have two daughters and an amazing wife who definitely keep me in line ( I really need it sometimes). I consider myself blessed. Other than that i was only a Christian for about a year or two before i got married so i cat compare to much.

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Thanks again Aaron for taking the time to share with me and all my readers. And if you would like more info on Aarron, here are some links:

Website - This Is Aaron's Life Portfolio - Aaron's Portfolio Twitter - @aaroni268 Linked in - Aaron Irizarry