Future You
You are a community unto yourself! There was you yesterday who ate one too many potato chips. And tomorrow’s you who will thank you for your good behavior today.
40 years ago the first version of me was born
36 something years ago a version of me was drawing on walls
33 something years ago a version of me asked “what’s a modern artist”, and would draw space rovers on the back of business cards.
29 years ago a version of me learned the word ‘illustrator’ and declared that I would be an author and illustrator.
20 something years ago a version of me graduated from art school and declared; “Now what?” — He went on to become a car salesman. (Making art on the side)
11 years ago a version of me came to the city to become an ‘Artist’.
9 Years ago a version of me applied for a job as a programmer and got hired as a Creative Director in a small tech start-up.
7 Years ago a version of me went to Stanford to learn about entrepreneurship on scholarship. It was a custom-made crash course and was probably all the university I needed. And got married.
6 Years ago a version of me co-founded Zapzapmath
2 Years ago a version of me ceased active participation in the start-up
1 Year ago a version of me survived on savings and illustration gigs. He would affirm “I Adam Ming am a world-famous cartoonist and illustrator”
This year my baby was born.
In 10 Years maybe there will be a version of me who is a world-famous cartoonist and illustrator.
That version of me will have me to thank, for choosing that path for him. And for doing the work it takes to get there. And he will have you to thank for being there at the beginning cheering me on.
Thank YOU for opening my email. It means the world to me!
Make peace with all the older versions of you who got you to this point. And make sacrifices so the future versions of you can be the thing an 11-year-old version of you wanted to be; thanks to YOU.