Choose Your Own Finger

Growing up, what I often heard—especially when I was NOT successful at something—was that someone else controls the outcome of what you are trying to achieve. 

But watching my parents make many of their own dreams come true told a different story. They purchased and moved to a farm, as far from dad’s police precinct as was allowed. With four children under the age of ten, they filled the 160 acre property with cows, horses, chickens, etc. and my mom kept working the business she and dad had begun (doing taxes and accounting for people) to the point of owning an entire office building downtown. They continue to live in a lakeshore cabin and winter in a Florida home. By many standards, they have been very successful and that didn’t happen by chance. Despite a dichotomy in messages, I saw what pure hard work and determination could accomplish.

The Ron Howard film, Willow, also emphasizes that vital lesson about the power we possess when we create a vision, believe in ourselves and do what we must do to work toward our full potential. Willow, at first, reminds us of the many ways we make ourselves small. We try to blend in, disappear in a “busy” background or lose our own voice over the noise of others shouting.

There is a key turning point in the original movie in which the Wizard asks his would-be apprentices to select the finger that harbors "the power to control the world". All of the candidates select a finger on the hand of the Wizard. Though Willow’s inclination was to choose his own finger, he too, points outward, deferring the power he innately possesses to someone else.

Many of us do this, in big or small ways, every day. We do not yet see ourselves as a person who can make big changes in the world. I am learning that small steps will lead to big changes and I encourage everyone to stay on course toward your dreams. In the movie, the Wizard tells Willow that his instinct was correct and sends him on his quest to discover his own power.

Having seen many of you at my Grand Opening and the Lake Superior 2020 Studio Art Tour, has invigorated and inspired me. The energy of sharing my new studio with other artists and my community at large fuels me and I look forward to future events. Completing the new space and leaving the traditional workforce have been initial acts of “choosing my own finger”. Now comes the next big step of selecting which direction to travel on this journey from the simplest question of "What will I work on today?" to the larger picture of "What will this look like in three years/five/twenty?"  Challenges big and small will arise as I continue on whichever path I follow.

I know it won't be easy but my heart will lead the way!

Thanks for traveling with me!