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Way, way back (in the olden days) when I graduated from high school everyone I knew called me Danny. It wasn't a bad name, but it really wasn't who I wanted to be when I grew up.
When I left home and moved to a new city I introduced myself as Dan and that is who I became. I also switched the type of work I did, becoming a pen and ink artist of some reknown eventually. The change wasn't instant, and I certainly wasn't instantly successful, but I was determined that this is who I was to become.
Over the next ten years I worked at it hard, starting part time, eventually going full time. During this period I married my high school sweetheart, we had kids and I changed careers - becoming a full time artist.. the tranformation took place over 10 years.
But then it was time for change once again. We moved to Chemainus, starting from the very bottom rung of the ladder once more. I decided I would paint murals and I set about reinventing myself a second time. Up to this point I was absolutely terrified of public speaking, but my new role called for me to do just that. As I promoted myself and the communities I painted in I learned it was fun to assume this new role and take on the tasks I had previously gone out of my way to avaoid. I spoke publicly many times.. to some pretty big audiences, did hundreds of radio and television interviews. It was all new for me, (and very scary) but I was determined I would make good and with the encouragement of family and friends did very well. Over time I was able to become this new person I was determined to be.
Ten years of that and I was ready for yet another new incarnation of Dan... Janis & I formed a new company called Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation and began to design and build themed environments and signs. I found myself in a whole new role... that of boss, and mentor to a very large and young crew. With much to learn, I revelled in my new task and we prospered beyond my wildest dreams... taking on jobs which still amaze me in their scope and scale... many of the projects were worth literally millions of dollars. Our company grew rapidly.
Over this period we worked at growing the company dramatically, but part way through the process I changed my mind and with Janis' support we decided instead to go small once again, for I didn't like the direction it was going - I didn' like the job I was forced to take... I wanted to be a hands-on manager of a very small team, designing AND building much of our projects myself. It was time for a deliberate reinvention once more.
We relocated once again, and at long last looked at realising a few of our own personal dreams... the first being Giggle Ridge ( a world class adventure golf) and then building the dream studio/shop and (soon) house on a small acreage. Janis wanted small animals and this morphed into the rescue of miniature horses.
About this time our first grandchild was born and it was time for yet another new incarnation of me... that being grampa dan. This time part of the change was instant, for there is no putting off a new baby. Little Phoebe had me wrapped around her tiny finger in seconds changing my life and outlook dramatically in the process. She and her parents live only a few blocks away, and she comes to visit often. Whenever she does work stops and its grampa time.
I was determined this change would not only affect me this time... but every single person I came into contact with. I was determined the change of name would signal a kinder, gentler man who cared for those around in a much more profound way.
Its going to take a great deal of time and determination to make this the greatest change in my life. Each act will be deliberate and with a great deal of thought, for the type of person I want to become is no easy task.
My point in all this rambling isn't to point at me and the things I've done in my own life... far from it. My point is we all make countless choices through our days that determine just who we are and more importantly who we will become in the future.
I BELIEVE we ALL have the power to become the type of person we dream of becoming. We all have the power to do the things we want to do. We all can achieve the dreams we dream... it begins with each and every choice we make through each day. We are tomorrow who we choose to be today.
Few things in life are instant, few come easily. But I believe just about anything is possible... if we really want it to be.
Slowly but surely becoming who I want to be in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ April 17, 2007, 12:40 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raymond, I have always admired your moxie. Here is a link that I hope will help you to accomplish your dreams. Good Luck.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Go ahead Kelly...just kill my dream while it's still in the bud. Kick me while I'm down. Make fun of us vertically challenged bald people. You probably kick puppies, too.
What would Danny think of your negative attitude?
[ April 17, 2007, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Story of my life - try and do something good and I am misunderstood. FYI - I love vertically challenged bald guys - well one in particular anyway. Danny is all growed up....he prefers to be known as Grampa Dan now, (although there is still a lot of Danny in him) Actually I don't kick puppies....their teeth are sharp so I try to keep my feet out of their mouths. Besides - with one foot usually planted firmly in my own mouth it makes it very difficult to kick anything. Now I'm going to practice being positive...your misinterpretation of my good intentions will probably take two or three random acts of kindness to recover.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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All is forgiven, Kelly. Just remember, now you HAVE to be nice to make up for those negative vibes. (I know that you didn't mean anything negative, but I have to give someone a hard time every once in a while.
Doug, I would probably get a nose bleed at those heights.
Dan, now that I have effectively kidnapped your thread, I will say that you are exactly right. Most of us blame our shortcomings (there I go again) on outside sources when the reason is usually our own lack of "get up and go".
I read a lot of biographies of famous people and most had to overcome some obstacle to reach their goal. And the price many paid for success was very high.
I'm still reminded of the famous quote by coach Darrell Royal - "Luck never came and jumped on anyone standing in the shade".
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I wanna be a syndicated sports cartoonist. I don't care much for politics.
Being from Georgia, I'm a big Atlanta Falcons fan and am active on their message boards as "Superfan". Early last January, our star QB, Michael Vick, got in trouble in the Miami airport for what they thought was marijuana. Turned out to be nothing, but the media and many fans had convicted him instantly. Anyway, I did the following cartoon for the Falcons message boards, one of many I did last football season: (Click to enlarge)
I enjoy making signs, but cartooning is where my heart is at. Thanks for reminding me, grandpa!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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