Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“The Master allows things to happen. She shapes events as they come. She steps out of the way and lets the Tao speak for itself.” –Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu (Tranlsation by Stephen Mitchell) “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do allContinue reading ““I Wish It Need Not Have Happened””

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer hasContinue reading “When You Arise”

“Among the maxims on Lord Naoshige’s wall there was this one: ‘Matters of great concern should be treated lightly.’ Master Ittei commented, ‘Matters of small concern should be treated seriously.” -Excerpt from Hakagure, The Book Of The Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Translated by William Scott Wilson “For want of a nail, the shoe was lost.ForContinue reading “For Want Of A Nail”

“Life is easier when you know what you want—but most people don’t take the time to figure out what they want. It’s not that we are completely lost, but our efforts are often slightly misdirected. People will work for years and ultimately achieve a lifestyle that isn’t quite what they were hoping for—often, simply, becauseContinue reading “Habitual Outcome”

We’re all aware of the importance of teaching STEM in schools. I’d like to buy a vowel and add the letter “A.” Promote a new acronym…STEAM. Science Technology Engineering Arts Math. We’re not gonna solve the interesting problems of today and tomorrow without the Arts and Arts Education. They teach empathy for the human conditionContinue reading “STEAM”

“When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists…The Master doesn’t talk, he acts. When his work is done, the people say ‘Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!” –Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu (Stephen Mitchell Translation) “For me, being a director is about watching, not about telling people what to do.Continue reading ““We did it ourselves!””

“The Great Way is universal; it can apply to the left or the right. All beings depend on it for life; even so, it does not take possession of them. It accomplishes its purpose, but makes no claim for itself. It covers all creatures like the sky, but does not dominate them. All things returnContinue reading “Get Out Of The Way”

“If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. This is another way of saying that if you have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first.” -Brian Tracy, book Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in LessContinue reading “Do What You Must”

“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” -Tony Robbins “It’s not that bad” might be a good mantra to help you get through the difficult times. But beware being stuck in that mindset for too long. One day you’ll look up and realize it never gotContinue reading “It’s Not That Bad”

Pain + Honest Reflection (ask what worked, what didn’t and why) = Progress Pain – Reflection = Pain.