It's coming up on a year since I've been out on my own and I can feel it somehow. It feels like a cycle is ending, with many events seeming to mark it. I am speaking tonight at an AIGA event about my favorite topic, story. The Oregon Humanities work is launching. We're finishing up with three, or six, short films, and they came out very nice, I think. Simple, thoughtful little films about the power of ideas, how new ideas lead us forward. I may show one or two tonight. Tomorrow I am going down to have a meeting with the Wiki dudes about a very exciting idea. In two weeks my friends from IDRI are coming down to Portland to hear an idea, the culmination of six months of work. It's an abundant time, and I'm appreciating it, all the way.
The most wonderful thing about the last year has been the how and the why as much as the what. I have gotten to apply some 12 lessons out in the world and darned if they don't hold up. The relationship with "clients" has been transformative. I feel uncomfortable even calling them clients. Partners? Part of the team? I know, ick, sounds like something on a brochure, but it's real: I traded the rectangular table for a circular one and that has made all the difference.
As far as the why, if one of my realizations from the last year is that I am a storyteller, the other is that it only works if I have a good story to tell. My work has to be in service to a vision or purpose, or it's no good. More details on that tonight at the AIGA thing.