The Secret of Success According to Mark Twain

I am tired. But, it feels good. I am seeing ideas that have long been of interest becoming tangible. I am creating and publishing and working with creative friends. I like that this can be a part of my work. I found a quote, today, from Mark Twain, “The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.”

So, the secret of success is making my vocation a vacation. I’m aiming for that. Trusting that what I really want guides what I am on this planet to accomplish. There is pleasure, there and balance. There is a sense of purpose. Do what you love and the money will follow. I am trusting that, too. I have many irons in the fire, at this time. I am working on Character of Texas Portrait Company. I am working at Century 21 as a Real Estate Agent. I have also recently become a columnist for The Lufkin News, covering arts in Angelina County on a weekly basis.

Photography is a love, that one is easy. Being a Realtor is getting easier though the quantity of information to take in is great. I made my first offer on a house, this week, and we have yet to see if it is accepted. It is one of two offers to be presented to the seller. So we see. If it is meant to be, it will be. Photography… real estate … and now writing as a columnist, too. I like the routine of weekly writing. It will add a consistency and predictability to my life that could be comforting and dependable. I like the idea of column writing vs. reporting. Last night, I attended a performance of the Peking Acrobats at Angelina Arts Alliance. There was a point in the performance I said in a low voice, aloud, “That was incredible.”

So far, so good. Each part of my work can be qualified as making my vocation a vacation, even real estate, I love it. I love the office I work at, I love the people, I love the variety of the work time, I love that I can get up and move around. Drive around. I love having so many choices. I am doing everything I can to cause this combination of work to work out because I am truly happy with it. I love the combining of creativity and business. I even love all the contracts.

Ok, I’ll promote my work here. If you know of anyone who is in need of a Realtor, anywhere in the world, I can research and make a referral for you or anyone else and, if a sale is made – if a property is purchased or sold – it is my understanding that, with the right paperwork in place, I will receive a 25% commission. If, for any reason, the first Realtor does not meet our expectations, I can then refer another. It can be with any agency. If you will keep this in mind and inquire about it at the appropriate time, I would so appreciate it. I thank you in advance!

So, making a vocation a vacation. There is hardly a better example than my recent photoshoot for Charm Magazine. Denise Hoepfner and I worked with Gordon and Charlotte Henley of Ellen Trout Zoo. Denise interviewed, I worked on photography. My friend in Guatemala City, Ben Bjorn, edited the image. Ellen Trout Zoo is a sweet little zoo. I thought I was done with zoos, until I visited this one. It is little, it is charming. And for me, in the company of pleasant people, I count this afternoon working in portraiture a vacation.

I hope you find pleasure in your work. If not, I hope you will consider finding new work. I do understand that work is work and sometimes things have to be done that aren’t pleasant. But I think there’s an inner quality that tells you when your work is compatible with you and then even in the times when the less fun parts come along, you can enjoy them for what they’re worth, getting through. Even, if that’s all it’s worth. Not all the parts of my work are fun. But I’m having fun with my work. I hope to continue for a long, long time and I hope you do, too.

May happiness be with you in this moment,

c.s.