names - and a statement of purpose

“The ancient masters of Japanese Art were allowed to change their name once in their lifetime. They had to be very selective about the moment in their career when they did so. They would stick with their given name until they felt they had become the artist they aspired to be; at that point, they were allowed to change their name. For the rest of their life,they could work under the new name at the height of their powers. The name change was a sign of artistic maturity.” – Twyla Tharp



We all should strive to learn to be better at what we do.


We are all trading hours and minutes of our lives to do something. Whether it is building something, creating something, or watching a sitcom, all activities have the same cost. Moments of your life.


You trade them for that activity.


I like the quote above, because I like to visualize men in robes quietly working alone over a small desk that folds into their lap, while a warm rain falls outside an open window on green leaves. People who have dedicated those hours of their life to what they feel is worth the cost we all pay, and they work very hard to be great at what they do.


Once they become masters of their craft, they change their names, to remind themselves, I believe, of what they are and what they have worked to become. The name shows the cost paid.


My name is still the same, but I am working at it.


D