Simple Ain't Easy

The Traffic Jam Between Dreams and Reality

Hey Friends,

Today, I’m sending sumthin’ a little different your way. Here’s a note I wrote in my journal this week. Enjoy.

Keep your head up and, as always, stay creative!

xx Martine

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Simple ain’t easy (June 2025)

Life’s got a way of making simple things look like mountains when they're just small hills with shadows.

You say you want to paint,

write, sing, make pictures, and make movies.

You want to sing your song.

That's simple.

Pick up your brush,

Pick up your pen,

Pick up your camera.

Then the world comes knocking.

Where's the rent money? Who do you think you are?

That is not how we do things ‘round here.

And suddenly, simple gets all tangled up, like headphone wires in your pockets.

Here's what I know.

When traffic's backed up, and you can't see past that big truck in front of you,

Sometimes you gotta pull over.

Take a breath and remember where you're going.

The road's still there, and your destination hasn't gone anywhere.

Maybe you take the side street.

Maybe you wait for rush hour to pass.

Maybe you get out and walk.

Keep moving.

Because simple does not mean easy.

And easy, nope, it don't mean simple.

Either way beats standing still. So pick up that brush.

Pick up that canvas. It's waiting for you.

Pick up that camera,

Warm up your voice and your story,

Your simple, complicated and beautiful story.

It needs telling.