Hello my friend,
How are you? I know I ask the same every week but I really do mean it. How are you?
I wrote this letter from the side of the local swimming baths as my youngest smashes out lengths in her swim class. I find the sound of the water and the rhythmic splash of arms and legs somewhat relaxing.
Saturday was my birthday - 42. Some say that this number is the answer to everything and, honestly, I am hoping this is true. The last 12 months have not been overly easy so I am anticipating that the graft I've put in will begin to pay off in short order.
Not to get too maudlin here either but - if I am fortunate - I have over half of my life still stretching out in front of me. This year is the time to draw some lines in the sand and get shit done.
I believe there is more hidden away. Some history to tap into under the surface. This secreted heritage could become even more fundamental and supportive as a foundation if I might unearth it.
This photo I took whilst a whole mess of roadworks were going on near my house. The crew had dug out a good half foot of tarmac and concrete in places and it revealed something fantastic. It revealed a bit of hidden history. The original brick roads from goodness knows when. Can you imagine the stories those bricks could tell?
This paving was covered and preserved by years and years of well-travelled public highway.
Although it was recovered by snazzy new asphalt I was delighted to see the brickwork, even momentarily. This little secret layer.
You can probably sense where I'm going with this. Yet-another very-obvious analogy of which I am so very fond.
We - you, I - have so much history buried under our well-walked paths. The compressed soils and tarmac of our years of experience, solidifying over the top of this hidden, historic foundation.
Is it time that you did some roadworks of your own to uncover your foundations?
I know that, over the next 3-6 months, I am going beyond "back to basics". I am going to zero; to the mantle; to the absolute core of the hidden whatever-it-is that will, I believe, make me; my work; and what I am capable of offering to the world even more unique and valuable.
Why? Because this foundation is truly mine.
I hope that you can do this for yourself, too. What are you waiting for?
'Til next week,
Tom