Was this is the way I was always going to be, feel and think? Then I was recommended by my mentor an incredible book “Telling Yourself the Truth”. It helped me realize the technique to restructuring the way I think and to put it to use. If guilt, fear and anxiety don’t get dealt with they can paralyze you, hamper creativity and stifle all that you are going after. Basically render you ineffective and out of the game.

I know wholeheartedly my identity in God through his Son, however, that takes renewing my mind and constantly reminding myself. I didn’t know how. No one showed me how. The world is constantly bombarding me with advertisements of who I am “not”. I cannot tell you how liberated I became and set free from the prison in my head of the worlds thoughts, fear, guilt and shame about myself.

If God sent his son so that I may have life and have it abundantly then why couldn’t I shake the lies and mental anguish? I became very frustrated. Freedom should be different. Should feel different. Let me also make something clear: Life isn’t about “feeling” good. Just because I don’t feel good doesn’t mean life sucks. Example: If you are “healthy” there really isn’t a feeling associated with it. You are just healthy. We cannot base our condition of life off of feeling. Feelings come and go. They ebb and flow. The constant for me that never ebbs and flows is the joy and hope in my security in knowing and believing what God did for me. I cannot save my efforts, my performance or myself. So, freedom takes on a whole new meaning.

It has taken time, practice and it ebbs and flows. I’m not “cured” but I can tell you I am excited and thankful for the tools to restructure my thinking. It’s a discipline to return to the well of truth of who I am (identity), what I am supposed to do and how I am supposed to do it. It’s a moment by moment action. It’s a daily discipline. Imagine taking your medication. I have to be intentional. Times of solitude, good friends for encouragement and support, time in prayer.

Nothing is better than being given permission to overcome doubt, fear and guilt with “how I want to choose to feel”. Life will continue to happen. With or without us. We can change our lives by what we choose to think.

We have two options in responding to everything: love or fear.

My prayer, is that you renew your mind knowing you are loved, you matter, you have freedom available to you and the fear, guilt and doubt don’t have to run you. You can run them and shut them down. There is hope. That light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a train.

I dedicate this post to my wife and children along with my best friends. They have been patient with me over all these years and been there for me as I’ve learned the “art” of telling myself the truth.

Thanks for being a part of this journey as creatives, business owners, leaders, parents, students and risk takers. You’re not alone.

” I came so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Please share this post, repost and tweet. Even more, please leave a comment below and let me know how you’ve found victory over the lies, doubts, fears and guilt that invades the mind.

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“It’s The Thought That Counts” by Noah

Mother’s Day boasts so many stories about kids and what they will do for Mom. Stories start around the table at meals such as “Mom, what do you want to do for Mother’s Day?” The stories evolve into what to create for Mom. Whether it’s a meal or a card or something. Dad then defers to helping the kids figure something out. Then comes Sunday morning….

Here we see the classic scene of the kids coming into the bedroom to wake Mom at 6am!! It’s classic, kids always are so excited to see their Mom on Mother’s Day and give her cards and a gift. They pick some half lived flowers, or weeds from the garden, they fix “their” favorite meal… doughnuts. Breakfast in bed is a “big deal” in our home, Usually the coffee mug is from a local pottery “create your own” place and has the kids writing and hand prints on it.

The Kid in Me celebrates thus Mother’s day with wishes for all Mom’s to get some rest. Sleep is a major thing for Mom and all she does. Even if it s doughnuts, wilted flowers and a 6am wake up call we remember that “It’s The Thought That Counts”.

The original pencil drawing by Noah is available for purchase via BUYNOAHFINEART.COM

Feel free to post these to your Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Have a blessed weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

You have to admit, the term “startup” has never been more famous. Sites like kick-starter are gaining momentum as they help individuals fuel a dream or an idea. Never before has there been an easier way for people to get their idea seen, heard and fueled than this age. Technology is really powerful for ideas.

Wen I started my business on my bike as a teenager there were no cell phones. If you wanted a message to get out you placed an ad in a newspaper, magazine or radio. You printed actual invitations or postcards and placed a stamp on it. Or, you went to the people literally and talked to them.

The last 26 years of my career were relationship after relationship being connected and word of mouth traveling to the next person. It was all built on testimony and shared experience. Whether I painted a mural or a painting my business was built through shared testimonies.

The world advertises: “The harder you work the luckier you get.” I totally disagree. It’s not about luck and the “right time at the right place”. My experience is much different. Looking back I can see that my life has been totally a series of miracles. Today that same thing is true. I go to events and release products I have no idea how they will be received. I step out in faith to make the product, step out in faith to take risks on the process of production, faith on new ideas, faith on spending money to market and faith for whether it will sell or not. They key for me isn’t the success of the product. It the success and significance of the process. Am I holding it all loosely? Am I grateful the whole way through? Am I surrendered and “all in” knowing God cares for me and has my best interest at heart? If I stay in this pocket, I create, live and thrive in my gifting. My wife and kids benefit because the success or outcomes aren’t based on my manipulation. The results are Gods. My job is to create and get it to light in the best fashion possible. Then leave the rest up to God to handle.

I read stories about the lives of Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison and George Lucas. Their stories didn’t unfold over night. It appears they are overnight success stories but if you were to ask them the history they would tell you they were no where near being finished, had not peaked and it all took a lifetime of investing into their craft. One drop in the bucket at a time. one risk, one failure and one victory at a time.

When I look at the commonalities of the great creatives I read above I notice they all failed massively and all reaped major reward. However, the biggest attribute of these creatives is that they never gave up. They stayed the course. They never gave up. Thomas Edison failed at making a light bulb over 9,000 times. I wonder how I would have felt at the 1500th failure?

This principle goes for every area in life: As a parent, a diet, physical training etc. It happens little by little over time. You don’t walk into a gym one time and walk out buff!

How do manage your thoughts about yourself in this area? Do you believe success happens overnight?

Please post, forward and share this post with others. Even more, leave a comment below and share in the conversation to help encourage others. We are in this life together!

Have a blessed week!

Artist Noah will be on hand May 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the WonderGround Gallery, Downtown Disney® District, for a special “Crush” event. Inspiration for these pieces was drawn from the beautiful love stories of some of Disney’s most beloved couples. Bring your princess or prince charming, and come immerse yourself in the world of romance as Noah captures these great love stories through his paintings.


Want to bring a piece of the romance home with you?
Originals, deluxe prints and canvas Gicleés will be available for purchase.

24×36 Acrylic on Linen (Original) – Ariel and Eric
$8,500
24×36 Acrylic on Linen (Original) – Cinderella and Prince Charming
$8,500
24×36 Acrylic on Linen (Original) – Belle and Beast
$8,500
24×36 Acrylic on Linen (Original) – Snow White and Prince
$8,500
16×24 Canvas Wrapped Giclées
$295
Deluxe Prints
$39.95

Check out a behind the scenes video of Noah’s Crush collection here

Artist Inspiration

I love old movies and wanted each piece to be painted in muted and less saturated colors to have a timeless, renaissance feel. My signature border work adds elegance and a touch of royalty. Every princess deserves it!- Noah

- “Their First Kiss”
I loved the idea of having Ariel finally being a part of Eric’s world. I wanted to have the two of them together celebrating the reality of her dream coming true. If you look closely you’ll see flounder as a silhouette and a sting ray within the underwater world in the background. I also have a ship in the upper left as well as an anchor and a fork to give tribute to the film.

- “Waltz With Me”
Watching Cinderella I am always blown away by the tension of her being suppressed by her family and living conditions. It’s an amazing story of triumph as Cinderella’s dream comes true through the glass slipper. Her longing to be with her prince and a chance to go to the ball is beautifully showcased in the majestic castle. I always would think, “Man I hope she doesn’t trip coming down all those stairs!” The union of her and the prince is incredibly beautiful and I wanted to capture this story through paint. The background has the glass slipper on the upper right, the castle image in the background and then bathed in moonlight from the large moon upper right. The swirls and details were inspired by the wheels and design of the carriage.

- “The Beauty Within”
Beauty and The Beast is an incredible story of true love. I found this story especially moving because of Belle seeing the beauty within rather than external. I loved the lyric that inspired the title for the piece and worked to focus their eyes and expression to be one of joy but also of love. It’s definitely a celebration piece as the beast is “seen’ for who he truly is and loved for it. There are hidden elements that are tributes to the film: a clock, candles and roses.

- “The One She Loves”
I researched the music for Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and love her passion for believing that one day her dream will come true. I wanted this piece to be a different pose than usual. I studied the film and characters and found a pose that really was something special and not the typical Snow White Princess scene. It felt like an old romantic black and white classic film and wanted her and the prince to be all aglow in their love with her being brought back to life by her true love’s kiss.

Limit TWO (2) items signed per Guest. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Appearances are subject to time and availability and are not guaranteed. Restrictions apply. Event and information are subject to cancellation or change without notice including but not limited to dates, times, release dates, appearances and retails. A valid Disneyland® Resort receipt may be required.
©Disney

The world and current culture advertises: “Work hard, gather as much as you can and then retire and coast your way to the day you die.” Gather all you can while here on earth and get as “comfortable” as possible. I have learned first hand that this concept is a myth. It is a facade.

Eric Liddell knew who he was, what he was supposed to do and how he was supposed to do it. More importantly he knew “why”. When your life is based on how you want to end I believe thats when we can get a clear picture of what we chose to do today. Stephen Covey calls this “Beginning with the end in mind.” Most of us will go the other way: We will “endure” life as it comes and react rather than sitting down and taking the time to ask the tough questions such as, “How do I want to finish?”

Most of the world will remember Eric as a runner and that was his claim to fame. On one occasion he was asked if he ever regretted his decision to leave behind the fame and glory of athletics. Liddell responded, “It’s natural for a chap to think over all that sometimes, but I’m glad I’m at the work I’m engaged in now. A fellow’s life counts for far more at this than the other.”

Running the rat race of “success” is a hamster wheel that will never amount to eternal benefit and reward. “Significance” is a race that can be ran knowing that your cause, meaning and results will never fade, will not rot or be stolen.

This is a sobering truth I must remind myself as a husband, father and leader while I live on this earth. I can assuredly tell you that the relationships I have are priceless and are the most meaningful thing to me I’ve encountered while being alive. It’s so easy to end each day wrapped up in what the world has to offer and wear yourself out trying to make it work. My goal, is for my days to be full of significance not just making money or success.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you navigate your motivation for the life you are running. Is life a race to have impact or are days spent just reacting and enduring?

Thanks for being a part of this journey together and I ask that you would post, tweet and share this post with others. Also you can sign up to receive my blog via email by entering your email address on the side bar of this page.

However, there is an answer and there is good news that eclipses any worry, uncertainty and concern for the future.

If you are a leader, a creative, own your own business, are a dreamer, a creative fire starter than I have encouragement for you.

For years I would chase my tail of trying to get things stable, consistent and predictable. Basically it’s a false idol and facade because it doesn’t exist. Ill go one step further: It doesn’t even exist in the corporate world where you have a “job”. The economic climate over the last five years has proved no one is safe. My grandfather stayed at a job for 36 years with the same company. The reality is now the world operates on hipsters making the companies feel they are the lucky ones to have the hipster and that the hipster only expects to “stay” at the company 3 years tops.

I had to come to the reality that it is never going to be stable. Which is great!! At least I can now embrace the inconsistency, treat it as an adventure and make the “unknown” my friend. Most look at the blind corner and shriek. Leaders get excited.

I started my company at age 16 on a bike. No one picked me. As my mentor Seth Godin says, “I picked me”. I didn’t wait for someone else to pick me.

So, here’s my nugget. My peace and security isn’t earthly. Why? My CEO isn’t on earth. He is in heaven and operates in an eternal way. My work here doesn’t pay in earthly finances, securities and meaning. When you get this on your head you are free. Free from the “conditions” of the world. Not only that but it transforms the way you do things and create products.

Here’s a practical way this works for me: I create products I have no idea if they will sell, I have bills to pay, schools for my kids, food to put on the table and mouths to feed. Both in this country and others. However, I have NO guarantee if my products will sell and when the next event is. I have no idea the next opportunity.

Rather than focus on what I don’t know I renew my mind by concentrating on what I do know: My Heavenly Father knows EXACTLY what our needs are and cares more about them than I do. Even more, I try not to even think about this because I haven’t been put here to have my needs met. I’m here to love others and let them know how much they matter, discover the best in them and add fire. I ask God to provide favor on our family and business and ministry. I pray for him to work out the rest. He does. Every time. And he will continue to do it because I’m his son. However, there was a season I did it my way. It was quite a contrast.

For me to try to figure out “how” to get things secure is “insanity”. You’ll spend sleepless nights on a hamster wheel that will never be solved. I’ve seen millionaires miserable because of all they have to manage. Their earthly possessions own then. They don’t own their possessions. Life isn’t defined by what we have. True value, investment and rewards are all based on things that cannot be seen or held in the hand.

One of my favorite verses is from the book of Matthew: “Seek first my kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33

I take that seriously. In addition Paul has great insight into this matter 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.Philippians 4:11-12

I hope this post encouraged you. This life isn’t about us. It’s about him and others. That’s all. That simple. If we concentrate in that. The “me” gets taken care of and flourishes without our own help.

Please share, post and tweet this post to others. Ease leave a comment and let me know how you keep peace in the inconsistency and uncertainty of life.

Have a blessed week!!

I never take these moments for granted. You all work really hard and I’m super honored that you collect the art and have it a part of your life.

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Thanks again and blessings to you all!

The week started off with me doing a meet and greet in the Vista Gallery as I met with a great group of guests. We talked art, Disney and what was happening back home in each others lives. It was a great time of connecting. In the beginning of the week I gave a presentation in the Buena Vista Theater showing the history of my work as well as telling my story of becoming an artist. Throughout the week we had great events around the ship including a time when I painted live in the atrium for guests. Again, it was another time to really connect with guests and talking art technique and Disney stories.

In all it was an event I’ll never forget. I love the new friends we made and the memories we will take away.

Sign up to receive my email newsletter and sign up for the blog. We will be sure to email dates as to when I will be sailing doing more events.

Thanks for being a part of the journey and thanks for making the art a part of your life!!

1. A Solid Friend- This is someone you can totally be transparent and truthful with. They can speak truth into your life. They will talk to you honestly about your blind spots.

2. A Solid Mentor-You need someone to look up to who’s been down the road ahead of you. Make sure they are routed and have a firm grasp. I look for mentors that are married for a long time, have God first in there life and have something I want. It’s hard to travel and embark on a journey if you’re only following your self. Here’s a previous post on mentors.

3. Talk to your Spouse- I believe my wife was put into my life to expose the potential blind spots I don’t consider. We go out on date nights to be intentional and to talk about the marriage, our home etc. Here is a post I made about Date Nights.

4. Read- Leaders are readers and I’ve found that there are other leaders and individuals that have their story in a book that I can learn from. Very low cost to read a ton of wisdom. Gods word for me is the best because its shown me the clearest view of “what to do” and “what not to do” based on the knowledge and wisdom of other leaders.  One of my favorite books is Ecclesiastes. It’s the wisest and richest man who ever lived looking back on his life and explaining what truly matters.

5. Times of Solitude- In my post about Solitude I have found this as a key component of sharpening the saw. It’s easy to get on the hamster wheel of life and not stop to take measure or stock in what’s happening. It is actually fun to enjoy the fruits of your labor and rest. Lately its been s’mores and fire with the family in the back yard.

What are some of the ways you sharpen the saw in your life? Please share, tweet or post this blog with others. Thanks for being a part of the community and walking this journey together.

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