I used to think Clarity meant seeing over the ocean, or the view from the treehouse in my backyard.

All possibilities seemingly in sight, all potential dangers within view; to be prepared for.

But as I’ve grown up, and danced between clarity and fog,

I’ve learnt something about “knowing what’s next”,

And maybe you’ll resonate.

When I was studying for something I didn’t enjoy, I could see a lot further ahead then I can right now.

That problem had been essentially solved. I would finish my undergrad, pick up a job, stay there for a while, consider other opportunities down the line I suppose…

The future seemed to be forming the painting on it’s own. I could just about frame it to make it feel like mine, and sign at the bottom.

So why did I abandon this? If I had the certainty, why did I not have something else?

Why didn’t this view ahead feel like clarity?

It was after dropping out to go all in on any business idea I could possibly make work, that I began to discover clarity.

I’ve worked odd jobs to have enough money to fill up my car 1/5th, left casual jobs, had to go back to those casual jobs because I couldn’t make enough on my own yet, had breakthroughs, setbacks, panic attacks, miracles, heartbreak…

I’ve lived a lot of life in the last few years stepping out on my own, and it’s been close to the hardest thing I’ve ever done (second to staying small and living with the regret of never chasing a dream).

Across this whole zig zagging, chaotic storm, has been an eye within the middle. A peaceful core.

And that is clarity.

Not certainty, but clarity.

I think clarity doesn’t look like the view from the treehouse, but instead seeing 5 metres into the fog.

To know where your next step can be placed, and to trust that’ll be enough, and you’ll find the one after that.

Oh, it’s not fucking easy. No, don’t think that it will be easy for another moment.

If you actively go searching for something no one else around you is looking for, it’s not going to be widely accepted, approved of, or necessarily peaceful.

But the act of following something deep within your heart, in the name of meaning, is clarity in of itself.

It’s stepping into a blank canvas, where you hold the pen, in a world of replicas with different names on the back.

If you can create beautiful creative chaos around the eye of the storm within you which is a meaningful centre of clarity, you’ll go on the journey of a million lifetimes.

To summarise what I’m trying to put down:

Feed the inner child within you looking for a magical life, and know that it won’t come with certainty. See the next step, take it, and paint the canvas. Make something in a world of replicas that outlives this era. You’re here for more.

With love,

Sam

Stephen’s full of amazing ideas. Loved this video:

There’s a way
I heard this song once while working on a winery in rural WA. Shazamed it that day, and it sparked me to think bigger about my future. Hope you like it ;)

You can pick up my book here

You can colour grade like me here

You can see more of me here

Enjoy the journey,

Sam