In the Fall of 2005, I quit my job as an Art Director for a Real Estate Brokerage company in Dallas. I had worked there for over 9 years, the longest position I had ever had in my history of working. It was killing me creatively, spiritually and on many other levels, and I was filled with a general feeling of unhappiness.
I had nothing else lined up and really didn't know what I was going to do. I just knew one thing, whatever it was, I wanted to draw, create and make music. I had decided to (to quote the Visionary Genius of Joseph Campbell) "Follow My Bliss" and create my own dream instead of helping to facilitate someone else's dream.
That Friday, I went to my favorite music store and told them of my new adventure. I told them I was "Following My Bliss".
Everyone was really happy for me regardless of where I would end up. The manager of the music store then asked me if I was interested in creating a band poster for a mutual friend's band. He loved my pen and ink work and said I could create anything that I wanted. He trusted that whatever it was, It would be amazing. He gave me $100! I was stoked. My first freelance assignment with total creative control.
I called my friend in Kauai, Hawaii, who had been telling me for quite a while that I needed to get out of that work environment because he sensed my unhappiness and frustration. I told him I finally was "Following My Bliss". The next day, I received a voice mail and all he said was: "Follow Your Bliss, Kistler!"
I laughed. What a great message - he knew that I had finally made the break into the great unknown.
That Monday morning, I woke up on my first day of freedom, casually walked downstairs and made some coffee. I flipped on the TV to some public access cable station out of Florida. The host was announcing that his next guest was going to be Jack Horkheimer, The Star Hustler. I thought, cool. I had grown up watching his show on PBS. He was the guy in the Members Only jacket waking out out on the rings of Saturn and would inform you of what to pay attention in the night's sky for that week. Well, I thought the interview could be enlightening at the very least.
The host came back after the commercial break and was sitting there with Dr. Jack Horkheimer and he introduced his guest to the TV audience.
Right then, Jack faced the camera (looking out into TV land directly at me) and said the following: "I have three words for everyone out there...and that is Follow Your Bliss. You need to find that thing or things in life that you are so passionate about that you can find a way to turn them into a career."
He then turned back to the host and explained how he has always loved science and astronomy ever since he was a child. He knew that he wanted a career in the field so did everything that he could to make that a reality.
I couldn't believe what had just happened! The hair was standing up on my arms. I had realized that it was a message to inform me that I was on the right path. The timing was too perfect. Had it been 20 minutes earlier, I would have missed it. If it was 20 minutes later, I would have missed it to. I didn't even have to turn the TV on or it could have been on a different station.
I set the intention on Friday, received a freelance project immediately, received a message from my best friend repeating my intention to me and the deal was sealed after watching the interview explaining the intention I had set. It completely blew me away.
I created my own company called Kistler Creative and started doing Digital Photo Restoration (another Synchronicity) and Band Posters.
In the end, I realized that timing is everything. The messages are out there, the signposts appear and then guide you on the right path.
But, be aware that the timing isn't necessarily when you want it. But, in the end, it is perfect timing when it DOES happen and you are ready to effortlessly move into a new adventure in this strange thing we call "life".
Note - I just read that Jack Horkheimer passed away on August 20, 2010 at the age of 72. I am so glad that I was able to catch that interview with him.
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