Success

One of the themes that comes up at times when weavers (or any creative folk, no doubt) is that of 'succeeding' in our chosen field.  

I don't call myself successful at anything except not giving up.

If you take society's definition of success (I. E. making pots of money) I am such a failure.  In fact for many years my definition of success was to make enough money that I would have to pay income tax.  :-/

But.  But.

IF you define success as having a life I chose, with all it's ups and downs, all the challenges inherent in running a home based business where the only over worked underpaid person was myself?   Yes I have done that.

IF you define success as choosing my goals and following the path to completion as best as my talent and determination could take me?   I have done that.

IF you define success as keeping body and soul together with a supportive partner?  I have been blessed to follow that path.

IF you define success as not letting societal expectations if wealth push me into places I did not want to go?  I have (just barely) managed that.

There have been plenty of failures along the way.  But in the long run (and by that I mean since 1975 when I chose weaving as my life/career) the thing I have done best was, quite simply, not giving up my dream, of trying something else, taking a different path or approach when things weren't working out.

Success?  Failure?  I'm just doing the best I can.  Ultimately that is all anyone can do....