By Santa-John McDaniel
The View from the Bridge is an opinion piece which explores how political, societal, and other changes may impact the future.
Saying Goodbye to 2022.
As we flow through the years, December brings many of us to reflect on the events of the year. For Santa John, fall has always been a joyous time of year. It starts with SJ’s birthday, 9/11, then flows through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The season ends singing Auld Lang Syne (i.e., “let’s drink to days gone by”) and perhaps there are a few New Year’s resolutions thrown in for good measure.
Recently one of my 4 sons revealed that several years ago he had made a new year’s resolution that he has faithfully kept, and that it’s changed his life. His resolution, “Never, Never, NEVER, make a New Year resolution!”.
I asked, “How did that change your life?”. His response, “I stopped beating myself up for breaking my resolutions. What I realized is that my resolutions were really only intentions. Stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking, etc. are all my good intentions.
“An intention becomes a resolution when you see what’s coming, are convinced of the consequences and would like to avoid them. Of course, this assumes you are willing and able to avoid them. As for me, I see and accept.”
His response reminded me of his mother’s acceptance of her terminal cancer diagnosis almost 5 years ago. That in turn reminded me of all the transitions I’ve flowed through after Judy exited stage left. I am certain many of you have also lived through a number of changes during the last 4 years.
Returning to Christmas – did any of you give gifts this year? If you did, then by the power the Universe has vested in Santa’s Helper John (SJ for short), we dub all of you “Santa’s Helper (Your Name goes Here)”. Remember our creed, “I strive to be a Blessing to ALL.”. Consider yourself Knighted by the Sword of Truth touching each of your shoulders. Thank you for your service.
View from the Bridge is moving.
View from the Bridge will move to online along with many older CorelDRAW instruction videos. Many of those videos show graphic-product creation as well. Look for changes coming soon. The Newsletter will continue. We are expanding content and hope to make it easily searchable.
Update – we’re exploring YouTube as a platform to host our videos.
SJ’s objective with “View from the Bridge” is to provide somewhat of an overview of what’s going on in the world while all of us are living through this Chinese Curse time, “May you live in interesting times”. In essence, SJ hopes to provide a little calm through the storm as well as suggesting methods of manifesting a successful business or hobby in the graphic-products industry.
2023 Forecast
The political circus that we’ve experienced over the last few years is packing up and leaving town. Some of the performers have been jailed already, others will join them in prison later this year. Indictments, arrests, and trials are coming this spring (2023) along with spring’s flowers.
January update – as of Friday the 13th the circus is giving us its final performance. SJ’s advisors are in unanimous agreement that all will be quiet on the House/Home-front by April. After this spring, suppressing the Fascists among us will become a little more like “Whack-a-Mole.”
2023 is the beginning of the end of dictatorships around the World. It will start with the end of the R…. vs U…… war. That war appears to be ending soon. This is one of the inevitable outcomes of energies coming into balance.
“We the People” control will expand throughout the World. The Russian and Iranian peoples will receive the gift of democracy. Ukrainian peoples will retain their freedom and self-determination.
At some point in the future all the World will unite. Violence will not be tolerated. War will be seen as unnecessary, and humanity will finally be able to turn our labors away from producing death machines.
Try to keep in mind that all things work together for the good even during painful times. My mother’s passing in 1960 set me in search of my first life partner Judy. Judy’s passing in 2019 set me in search of my second life partner Holley, AKA GEM, Glenda Elizabeth McDaniel. Having the privilege of these ladies’ partnerships throughout my journey has been, and is, a blessing!
Also remember, Life is a flow through time. Today’s experiences be they joyful or sorrowful will pass. Learn what you can from them. All things work together for the good of all. Your being here is not an accident. You planned it, have helpers, both here and in spirit, guiding you through your plan. You do have freedom of choice, so choose wisely.
Personal Observations – After witnessing all that’s gone on in my life, and via YouTube, what others are experiencing around the World, SJ is convinced that we are all moving toward balance. The balance we see coming is the transformation from “My way or the highway” to “Let us discuss our differences and find a solution that we can both agree on.”
What is your interest in the Graphic-Products Industry?
First, realize that everyone on earth is an artist. How you dress, the clothing you wear, is art. A person’s makeup or lack of makeup is artwork. Many people decorate their bodies with tattoos, that’s artwork. How people decorate their vehicles, homes, landscaping, and so on, all works of art. Even the rusting hulk of an old machine is considered art by some. Keep in mind, we’re all performing on Mother Earth, a living piece of art that’s in constant transformation.
One point to also realize is that everyone is also a salesperson, selling themselves or a product. Courting is selling yourself to a potential life partner. Interviewing for a job is selling yourself to a potential employer. Demonstrating products is a form of selling, and so on.
In today’s world, artwork for most graphic products begins life as computer art. Some artists create and sell computer art for use on the web. Some create and sell physical products using their artwork, think t-shirts, mugs, awards, etc. Others create graphic products as a hobby or to help organizations to which they may belong.
Answering a couple of questions might help you evaluate your interest.
- Do I have any interest in creating digital art?
- Does my interest in digital art include producing products?
- Is my interest in creating personalized products for Fun or for Profit?
- What do I do, or does my business do? Are you an Artist or Commercial Artist?
- If I’m a commercial artist, who are my competitors?
- How do I intend to market my creations.
Manifesting – Creating – Your Future Life, Income Stream, and possibly a Business
You Have the POWER to Manifest anything! However, there are a few caveats to consider.
- Transitioning from your current environment to the environment you are manifesting may take some time and effort. Finding a life partner, a suitable job, building a business, a home, etc., etc. will take some effort on your part.
- Does it feel right? Take a little time to evaluate. Consider the advice of others, especially family.
- Try before you buy, if possible. Sometimes this is possible when purchasing an existing business.
- Don’t try to manifest the demise of a competitor. Remember, what goes around comes around.
Manifesting a Business?
Throughout our selling careers Judy and I strived to treat people fairly, charged a fair price for our services, and above all made sure our product or service met the client’s needs. These principles helped us create a graphic products business in 1992 which has grown, and our son continues to successfully operate today.
We will add more next time.
In Short
Thank you for your attention. Keep in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know. So, don’t take our word for it. Meditate and find what is right for you.
For 2023 and beyond, we pray for peace.
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we will know peace.
Thank you, see you next time.
PS – We will fully enter the Age of Aquarius in 2032.