Today I’m not on the back porch of my property in the deep Texas heat, nor am I on the dock in the Adirondacks experiencing the call of loons and the cool air. Instead I’m sitting in a slightly cramped airline seat, high above the clouds, en route to the closest airport to home.
Wings Spread
I’m not only physically above the clouds, I’m mentally above the clouds — yet drained, exhausted, and spent from the effort to create this high-level accomplishment. This, it turns out, has been one of the toughest, most challenging weeks of my life. And though it was not fighting off some disease or horrific trauma, which is about as tough as it gets, it was a high-level game of stress chess.
Private
My goal is to be as transparent with you as possible. I’ve shared some things others would never share. But in this case, I need to protect the privacy of those involved, so I can’t tell you what happened. But I’ll tell you the story around it.
Emergency!
As I was quietly sitting on the porch, painting a watercolor, my wife burst in, frantic with news she had just learned about a family member. “You need to drop everything and get on an airplane now!”
Though she was right, and I eventually came to the same conclusion, I needed to process it first. (Her processor is state of the art, mine takes a little longer.)
A Big Effort
It was 8 o’clock in the evening and there were no flights to be found, but a quick search had me on a flight out first thing the next morning. So I took the boat across the lake, drove to the ferry, took the ferry across Lake Champlain, and drove to Burlington, Vermont, to catch a flight. That was the easy part.
The hard part was some tough love, which involved about five days of mental and emotional wrangling.
Though I never want to leave the lake in the summer, this took priority. It was true “adulting.” And after three days of emotional discussions, I was spent, exhausted, and discouraged.
We Are Behind You
A couple of close friends knew what was going on and kept sending encouraging texts saying, “We’ve got your back.” No advice, just, “We’re praying for you.” My wife was incredibly encouraging, but also let me know that I needed to win this battle between good and evil and that she was counting on me.
Giving Up
Sitting on the couch after a tough day, I was ready to give up and go home. I was getting nowhere. I remember thinking that I can run a big company with lots of employees, I can negotiate major deals with top companies, I can speak comfortably on a stage in front of thousands, yet I was failing at this effort. “I’m done. Time to let the chips fall and move on. I tried my best and it’s not helping.” So I gave up.
Keep in mind I’m praying feverishly for guidance, for help, for positive results. And others were praying. Nothing was working.
A New Perspective
Then something happened. I asked myself, “What would I want if I were on the other side of this battle?” Then it hit me. I’d want me to never give up no matter what, no matter how long it took, no matter what sacrifice was required. I suddenly realized it: Instead of giving up, I needed to envision no other option than a positive outcome. I was ready to give up my summer to solve this problem. Game on.
Once I developed a different attitude, determined to win, it changed my thinking, my actions, and my approach. And it changed the outcome.
Big Change
On the fifth day, I saw a glimmer of hope, and by the sixth day, I had accomplished my goal and solved the problem. All the tough discussions, heated emotional moments, doubts, defeat, and tears became worth it.
Prevailed!
Today, I’m on a high, on a cloud, knowing we’ve achieved the best possible outcome, something we never thought would happen. Yesterday will go down in my history as one of my most difficult on this earth so far. But I prevailed and won a major battle of good versus evil.
Why am I sharing this personal story? I learned too much to not share it.
- It would have been easy to live on hope and not step up and do something that I did not want to do emotionally or physically. I did not want the inconvenience. But I knew I had to step up because it was not about me and my comfort.
- I went into this effort believing I had about a 10 percent chance of accomplishing my goal. I knew I was up against one of the smartest, most clever people I know, and that I was truly stepping into a battle of good versus evil. I could not have done it alone. The power of prayer from others and myself made a massive difference. I could see the moment when everything changed, and it was not about what I had done, it was truly an intervention from God.
- Things did not go well until I changed my attitude and knew I had to win, and I was going to win, no matter what. Once I decided I’d do what it takes, not ever give up, and fight the biggest fight of my life, I knew I would win. It may have taken all summer, or all year, but the determination to get a positive outcome and unwillingness to give up changed everything.
- We can’t do things alone. A couple of good friends stepped up, kept sending me encouraging texts, told me they were praying, and shared their own stories of similar battles.
- Support from my wife and family meant the world to me. Their encouragement drove me.
You and I will have other battles of good versus evil. We can’t ever let evil win.
You can do this. Whatever you are facing, no matter how difficult it feels, how impossible it is to accomplish, you will turn it around the moment you tell yourself that you will win, no matter what it takes. Doing that is a game-changer.
Churchill said, “Never give up — never, never, never.” He was right. Had he not prevailed, the world would be a very different place.
You’ve Got This
Whatever you believe in, if something is critically important to you, you need to make up your mind to win at all costs and never give up. Sometimes things happen fast, sometimes slowly. I saw this in my dad, with a company he had started with a new technology. It took 20 years, but he never gave up.
I can now see things I’ve committed to where I allowed the pandemic to slow me down and almost gave up. I now know that I need to rethink, recommit, and do what it takes (ethically, of course) to set my sights on success and remove all doubt. Once the doubt is gone, the roadblocks no longer look insurmountable.
Eric Rhoads
PS: Please don’t ask. I appreciate your respecting our privacy.
Determination matters. I wanted to launch an online pastel conference and pastel newsletter, but others kept putting up roadblocks to protect their own turf. It crossed my mind to give up, but my readers told me they wanted it, and I was determined to give them what they want because it would result in massive growth and interest in pastel painting. We got the conference launched successfully, and we recently launched Pastel Today (you can subscribe at pasteltoday.com for free).
Our second online pastel conference will be even better than the first. We were worried that people wouldn’t return once the pandemic was over, but the opposite has been true. We’ve had a massive number of people sign up for three days of top instructors who will transform their painting skills (and a fourth Beginner’s Day for those who want to learn pastel). You can sign up or learn more at pastellive.com.
We tell ourselves stories, then we start making them happen. I told myself a story that attendance might be reduced after the pandemic, so I was not trying as hard — until I learned my story was wrong. I told myself a story that people might not attend in August because of travel and vacation time, but I discovered that was not true. Those who do have travel plans are registering and plan to watch the replays. Others plan to attend to be part of the community.
I also discovered something else. Most of the top-tier artists I know strive to be complete, meaning that they want to master every possible means of communication in art. They want to be great at drawing, and at painting in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pastel, because each informs the others and gives them ways to communicate that other mediums can’t offer. For instance, if I want a certain look or vibrancy in color, pastel is my only option. I’ll be hosting Pastel Live and hope you’ll join me. But know that the price has to go up very soon, and this is the time to capture the lower price. (Even though people tell me it would be worth attending at five times the price.)
Thank you !
thank you for sharing. It just underlines the fact that being in touch with the God and Lord of all makes a difference.
Eric…I always look forward to these posts. This one is particularly meaningful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your trials and your inner struggles with all of us. This gives me great hope and inspiration.
Thanks for the encouragement, Eric. Im glad you had a breakthrough and came away with a positive result.
I used to think everything would get easier as you get older . I realize now that things can be tough at any age. Prayer and faith make a huge difference. Good on you for standing your ground and fighting . I hope I have the wisdom to do the same when needed.
Thank you
To cut a long & grueling story short! After a 19-year battle caring for my wife with brain cancer; and after she passed away. I asked for guidance; (by silent prayer) on what was best for my best friend Bella a fifteen-year-old Staffy. She had; in a very short time gone deaf & blind; but otherwise was in reasonable health; as she was eating well & still wanting short walks. As I lay pondering in bed the answer came through clearly; “our next walk; would be our last together and to treat it as normal which I repeated to Bella.
Well, we were doing this; with Bella doing all the usual greetings; sniffing & tail wagging. I then sat on a park bench; a short distance from home; when Bella suddenly got up from where she was lying; in the shade under the bench; & thrust her head into the loose collar that had been dangling between my knees; & was heading off home. This was something she had NEVER done before! After about 50 paces; she suddenly lost all control; barking & howling; & tugging uncontrollably on the leash & obviously not knowing which way was up or down!
After finally getting her home a neighbor helped hold her (on leash) We both presumed this was a convulsive fit; & that her heart could not stand much more, but it wasn’t to be! We finally contacted an (emergency vet practice that would see her. Fortunately, this was fairly local & they agreed in putting her (To Sleep ) A-S-A-P. I must commend them on their empathy & understanding. She is now buried close to her favourite walk. And whatever; OR whoever; we individually perceive as God. I thank!
Thanks for this. It’s beautiful. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I know we can call on God at any time, in any place and as often as we need. What you experienced was a miracle — a special gift from God that takes our determination, love and perseverance to accomplish with His help. I would love to know more about this experience, but understand the delicacy of trust and family.
As an artist I feel the extrasensory relationship our art has with our Heavenly Father. We SEE things, we FEEL things, we EXPERIENCE things differently from those who don’t use all their senses as we do.
Good versus evil is with us constantly. Thanks for giving such a beautiful account of your battle and your victory.
Thank you! I am headed into a heated storm with a relative. And I needed to hear exactly what you were writing.
God bless you!
Thank you for this posting — I will certainly print it to read again when things get tough!
I always look forward to your Sunday Emails! You are a blessing.
Hey Eric, Winston Churchill is one of my greatest heroes besides being a great artist! Like you, I have fought some incredible battles in my lifetime, have won, and came out a better person for it.
But not all of us are as strong willed as you and I and don’t have the strength to fight or stay the course. That’s why we always have to be ready to help the weak, those who are suffering, those in need, or those who just need love and kindness.
Maybe, just maybe we may just start a cataclysmic exchange that will help to rid the bad and make our world a better place. You and me Eric are two of those Ambassadors through our love for art and our love for people! Love ya, brother! – Burkey
Eric: What a great Sunday Coffee sharing. Like you I have had many challenges in business, in health and throughout my life. I was almost killed by a NVA rocket in Vietnam and came away without a scratch. In April of 2021 I had to have emergency heart valve replacement and the surgeon said when I was in the ICU that he guessed I had maybe 30 or 60 minutes left to live — anything longer and he doubted he could have saved me. In his words I was basically skating on very thin ice! While it took a long time to recover, I am determined to make the most of every remaining day. It gives me real joy to be able to attend your Plein Air Live event like the one you just concluded, and I am already signed up for 2024. Finally, I just wnat to thank you for your encouragement in these Sunday Coffee sharing’s. Be safe, stay healthy and know that you too are in my prayers. Best Regards and as all Marines say Semper Fi, Dave
Your LIGHT shines bright with victory for now. Thank u for sharing your new found strength.
Good for you! We don’t succeed unless we’re all in. And we don’t succeed on our own. To God be the glory!
Thanks for the encouraging story! great reminder to Never Give Up… on your dreams, what ever hardships you’re facing.
With much appreciation, Laurie
Thank you for sharing, Eric, and thank you for being a beacon of light in others lives.
Cynthie
I am happy for you. You sound at peace with whatever happen. Peace is one of the most important things we can have in our life.
Keep believing…….❤️
I will always remember this and never give up! Thank you Eric.
Wow! What an incredible story of over coming! Thank you, you have inspired me to re-engage in a situation that I have been sitting back watching in defeat. Some thing are too important to just let go, and if we trust the Lord, He will fight for us. Thank you Eric. We all need friends like you.❤️
Thank you for sharing.
Prayer often works when nothing else does. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness! This should be a commencement speech- this should be the talk every parent has with their child, family, friends, church – anyone that will give time to hear such an important and very relevant message to living in victory. I can’t thank you enough for sharing today. While many face challenges with differing nuts and bolts – the mechanism you have left us with today is applicable no matter the challenge. Many thanks and my deepest gratitude. I’m
I loved this testimony!! Just thanking you for sharing 🙏it is a true testament to the saying…we do our best and leave the rest to God…. The key is what you discovered. That your best had to dig in and determine not to back off..not to let up ..not to quit …but to go the distance..whatever that may be.!! I was raised on …patience,perseverance ,and a bottle of sweet oil( the Holy Spirit) at length the worm shall reach Jerusalem .Anytime I wanted to quit …I have heard these words. God Bless ,Nancie Holland
I’ve been so blessed by these Sunday coffee messages! Each one has practical, realistic encouragement that uplifts me and makes me want to make the most of my life.
I’d like to attend one of the weeks plein air painting events; it might be a fantastic rather than realistic, but we’ll see?
In the meantime, thanks for these messages!
You were very fortunate to take a deep breath and let it go slowly. Then you could step out of the way of yourself and take one step in a different direction for your path to change. You are now blessed because you know you can it. And do it over and over again.
Great week of exposure. Incredible array of different styles. Key words repeated. Guess what.. I think I learned a thing or two. I am in your debt. Hopefully I can pay you back by continuing to express my curiosity about what and how I see the world around me.
Sincerely ,Joe
Always a great way to start my Sunday…..this one was was perfectly timed – thanks Eric!
Eric,
This is a profound message about love, faith, persistence and trust. Even without knowing the circumstances, this is one of the strongest columns you have ever written. Sometimes, walking away is the easiest way to save our own sanity or inner peace. Persistence is hard, especially in the face of failure. This is a powerful message for me and for those who read it with intent. God bless you.
Me too Eric. By GODS help I too can conquer. Lost my sweet loving husband in January of this year. Yet I will go on. Do more work on my studio and give to auction for needs of others. God gave me the talent and I can give to others. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your comments.
You tell a story with the best. And you also are a cornerstone in my life as far a believing in myself. Although, I have never attended one of your shows or events, which is ion my bucket list, I find inspiration in your words. And will always keep working towards a goal. Teaching is my profession, pastels are my passion.
Thank You,
Scott
The story you have shared, Eric, is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing this as I have also had a complication in my life that had traumatized me into a depression. Like you, support from family, friends, and faith in god, life did turn around. I will keep you in my prayers that you will always be able to stay strong for yourself and your family.
I’m very fortunate that I didn’t unsubscribe from your art emails as I have just completed the Plien Air Live online session and have also signed up for the Pastel Live on-line. What a wonderful opportunity you have provided to the world!
I wish I could afford to be at the actual events, that you host, but it is not financially feasible for me. It was very hard for me to commit $$ to the event this week but so glad that I did. Once you offered the payment plan, for Pastel Live, I decided that I was going to not miss it. The plan, with the discount, offered me the opportunity to reorganize my monthly commitments.
You are a wonderful human being and a great inspiration! God bless you and your family.
Carol
Once again, just what I needed to hear. My battle is dragging on. I will not give up. Prayers are so powerful. Thank you, Eric
Eric, I guess we need the tough stuff to appreciate all the other … I really appreciate and look forward to these Sunday morning coffee messages. One of these days my husband and I will be heading for Austin to visit family – would love to see you and Laurie! Have a great week!
Sounds like a “Let go and let God” Resolution. It is not an easy thing to go through. I am glad you found the way through. I hope everyone respects your privacy in this matter.
your words are inspiring! I did give up on a big “battle” one time. I walked away. It wasn’t a bad choice that time. But this month, I have another tragic and complicated occurrence to deal with…I won’t give up…..it may take even a couple of years! Hopefully less. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I appreciate the online option for Pastel Live because i can’t travel and spend hotel money etc. This way, I can attend. I loved the in person Adirondack trip June 2021. It was just the best. I still keep in touch with my three roommates. New friends. But, life issues, mean that taking the online is the best for me. So, thanks and I look forward to Pastel Live. (It is right during Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival, so I must delay a portion , but, that works. I study online with Marla Baggetta, so online is a great way to use technology to learn). In person is always better, but not always possible. Keep it up.
So glad you persevered. Prayers and letting God take the lead is the best thing I’ve learned.
The answers will come when they’re supposed to.
God Bless my friend
Congratulations on overcoming the enemy! God is our source and help in our time of need. He is our Great Defender! All things are possible with God! Thank you Jesus for listening to his heart cry and inspire him to speak life in this situation! Thank you for sharing, you are so encouraging to all of us! May God continue to bless you and your family and your finances in Jesus Name!
Perseverance is the only correct direction.
I am so glad to hear you have come through the darkness into light. Thank you for all you effort in helping so many people get further with their art. Can’t afford to pay for lessons right now as things are difficult in UK right now. But happy others are able to do so.
kind regards, Sally
Thanks for sharing your experiance. The particulars (your private story) are yours alone. The message here is about strength and committment. I can’t thank you enough. It came at just the right time that I needed to hear it.
Gosh Eric you always say exactly what I need to here. I am starting to think of you as my pastor on Sunday mornings. Your words always hit home when I need them the most. Thank you for all you do.
My dad would say about me when I was young ” I hope, when I come home from town she don’t want the barn to be on the other side of the farm because it would be there.” I think the same could be said of you. I like that about you and I hope you don’t change.
Praying for continued strength for you through this challenge. God bless.
Dear Eric,
Thank you for your encouraging words not only about art and business but mostly about your faith. God bless your art, business and family.
Dear Eric,
This was profound and spoke to me directly, as we are facing some demons with someone we love. Thank you for inspiration.
Your Sunday Coffee stories always inspire me but this was off the charts. Bless you
God is Good. Miracles abound! My husband had a major stroke and I did not think he would ever be the same. He is a walking, talking miracle. I wouldn’t of believed it if I hadn’t been there!
So very grateful and thank you for sharing.
Thank You ! This made a difference for me !
Dear Eric- I have been thoroughly enjoying the morning coffee reads! As to whatever it is you are going through (and I respect your privacy) I’ve also had my share. No matter how rough a situation can be, when the onion is peeled away love is at the core. Blessings,Diana
Thanks for your thoughts. I am going through a horrible illness. I asked an online friend to pray, because I knew she would.
Slowly, I am better. Still nauseous and dizzy when I get up, and several times in the day.
I think I have been attacked physically, with mental fog, because I have started on a book which focuses on God’s presence here.
For more than two weeks, I could not focus enough to even type anything for the book, nor work on the drawing for the cover.
Thank you for encouraging us.
Prayer going up
I applaud your determination and your faith in God. He alone will give us strength to get through the tough times. I will pray for you and your family. I thank you for all you are doing in the art world!
Eric- Thank you- It was just want I needed to hear today. I too found myself on a plane yesterday running away from evil. In my case my divorce settlement, severe health issues for my daughter and a near-death experience for me and next month I will have to move and start over again in a new city. My art on the back burner for now. I needed a week to run away and reset from the worst few months of my life. And I will write about it too. Share it all and hopefully remind others to keep fighting on as you have reminded me.
Thank you.
I always enjoy reading your article on Sundays while drinking my cup of coffee
The love you have for the person in this situation is clear. But the love you have for Jesus p, and He for you, is also evident. Thank you for sharing. God bless you
Eric, I love your column coffee with Eric and certainly appreciate your one today about something so personal. What ever happened, you’re so right to never give up and let evil triumph over good!! Churchill said it best! Take care and know that prayers are the most powerful.
Best
Nina
Right on Eric! My prayers are with you.
We took the early flight out of Burlington when we flew home to Sedona from the Adirondacks, ferry and all! Didn’t realize how much I missed the overpowering greens and moisture of the mountains. The whole journey was such a blessing.
Thanks to you and the “whole family” that helped make this such a special time.
May you continue to experience God’s love, guidance and victory through this difficult time.
Eric,
Good vs. evil. That’s epic – and frightening. It is not a great opportunity vs calamity. When it touches your family, I worry. I am “happy” (what a pale, inadequate word) you have fought your way through. At least, you know where to turn for help. Problem seems to be solved, for now, but evil is always trying to claw its way back in. Don’t be afraid – I guess that is beyond reasonable human capability – just engrave Psalm 56 on your heart during times like these. WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.