On Jan 3, 2020 I was running up a mountain in Denver when I had a heart attack.
As I lay there I thought why is this happening to me? I'm relatively young, run five miles a day and eat a mostly vegan diet. I could not catch my breath and the pain was at a level 10. In that moment a harsh reality set in. I was dying!
In my last few moments of consciousness, I pleaded for the chance to live and see my family one more time. I promised that if I was spared, I would quit my fast-paced, money-chasing job and pursue a path that actually felt meaningful.
Later that morning I was rushed to the hospital where I received emergency surgery. While I was recovering I started to draw to calm my nerves. I never thought I was any good, but my wife and son encouraged me so I stuck to it. From that day on, I never stopped creating. I wake up at 5 am daily and paint what comes into my head. I don't feel I have worked a day since I started creating. Today I'm fortunate to ship my art to collectors all over the world.
I share this story with you because I believe it to be part of my purpose — my payback to my creator and the universe for letting me live. Don't wait, pursue your passion today! Sometimes life will nudge you in the right direction — a health scare, a divorce, recovery, the death of a loved one — but not always. In my past life, I owned fast food franchises. I started and sold two successful companies. I was driving my dream car at the age of 20, and I owned several rental properties by 30. I told myself I was pursuing my passion when I was really pursuing money.
I believe that just by choosing my art, the universe has brought us together. You could have selected any of the other thousands — millions? — of artists on Etsy. You didn't. You chose me, or maybe the art chose you. As a result you are reading this. This is NO coincidence. There are NO coincidences. You were meant to read these very words at this moment in time.
Blessings!
Able
