2020 has definitely been a crazy year, a hard year, definitely a “suck” kind of year… but definitely interesting in that in all the moments trying to adapt & pivot, I was reminded of an episode of THE CHEF SHOW on Netflix. The episode was when Jon Favreau and Roy Choi visit Aaron Franklin in Texas, and they start talking about where they are in their careers and the path it took to get there.
Specifically, how in the moment, how you ended up where you wanted to get to, was a very chaotic experience. But when you look back at it all, as you connect the dots, it seemed all but certain that where you wanted to go would happen.
And that’s not to mention the Favreau movie, CHEF, resonating with me. Especially after I left my corporate career to chase my passion too.
It’s definitely been a melting pot of thoughts and memories lately. Like I said, not only with that THE CHEF SHOW moment, been thinking about people whom I admire in what they’ve achieved in their careers, especially those younger than me (I’m 42 if you’re curious) and been thinking about articles I’ve read about people who didn’t achieve success until after 40… and it all boils down to this year, when I think about efforts I’ve made to try and make it through 2020, and the forms those efforts have taken.
Through the successes and failures this year, it definitely feels like the universe wants to keep me on the path I’ve chosen in 2015, a path to make art for a career. There’s definitely been some lessons to be sure this year. There will always be someone more competitive than me. There will always be more to learn. And there will generally always be challenges ahead. But that won’t stop me from pushing forward.
A “late bloomer” if you will.
With that in mind, as we close the year out, I wanted to make something meaningful. At least, something I felt was meaningful for me and hopefully others. So, I made a tee. The characters are Korean, and I’m sure you’ve guessed it means, “late bloomer”. Or more accurately, “late flower”. But I think the context is the same.
Now, as a disclaimer, I make no promises the Korean is correct, ha-ha. But between Google Translate, and my Korean friends who immigrated, I feel pretty confident and ordered it to have it made. Because there may be those who’ve hit similar goals as mine, sooner, I may be late, but I’m still coming. And definitely have no shame or discouraged by it.
Check out the shirt below.
But you know, if my story resonates with you, and dig this shirt, I put it up on my Threadless store. But at the end of the day, just wanted to share a story.
Hope all of you are well, loved, and making it through. Wishing you all the best, especially in the new year!