Chapter 1: The Thrift Store Adventure

I often visit thrift shops to discover illustrated books that I can use for my artistic projects.

I typically start in the children's section, excited to uncover new illustrators and unique styles that I have yet to encounter. Additionally, I browse the nonfiction area, searching for books filled with visuals. During one of these visits, I stumbled upon a book by Twyla Tharp.

If you’re unfamiliar with her, that’s perfectly fine. I hadn’t heard of her either when I began seeking books on creativity a decade ago. Her book, The Creative Habit, caught my interest with Tharp's commitment to her craft as a dancer and choreographer.

At that time, her first book was exactly what I needed. It was refreshing to learn about her routines while I was also trying to dedicate time to my own artistic pursuits. When I discovered her name again in the thrift store ten years later, I assumed it was the same book. However, I soon realized it was a new release titled Keep It Moving, written when she was 76, aimed at encouraging older adults to stay active.

I must say, I have a soft spot for books directed towards the elderly. There’s something special about their emphasis on savoring life and finding purpose, even amid challenges. For instance, I adored Joan Chittister’s The Wisdom of Years.

Returning to Twyla, I purchased her latest book and took it home. As I delved into it that evening, I was reminded of what I cherished in her first book. It wasn't solely her concepts but also her concise presentation.

Her writing is filled with examples of other inspiring figures, avoiding lengthy biographies and getting straight to the essence. I found myself reading most of the book in just one day. Once again, it was precisely what I needed at that moment.

She urges us to simply "get to work" and let go of unnecessary worries. Currently, I’m in the process of writing my sixth book, titled The Worst Missionary. It explores my upbringing in a Southern Baptist camp, my conversion to Mormonism in my twenties, my mission experience, and ultimately, my journey of deconstructing from all forms of religion.

It’s a lot to unpack. There’s so much weighty content, and it can be challenging to determine where to begin or how to connect everything. But Twyla's advice resonates: just do something.

So that’s what I’ve been doing. I sit down and write whatever comes to mind without overthinking its relevance or how it fits into the larger narrative. I’ll sort it all out later.

I’m sure Twyla would be proud of that approach.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you’re interested in more, feel free to subscribe to my FUNletter or check out my books.

The first video, "Thrifting & ReSelling Chat ♻️ Motivation Monday," discusses the motivation behind thrifting and reselling, offering valuable insights for aspiring creatives.

The second video, "Thrifting & ReSelling Monday Motivation Chat Q & A," provides an engaging Q&A session that explores the joys and challenges of thrifting and reselling.