It’s hard to believe that it has been over four years since I wrote Before 8 and was working towards being a full time music producer and DJ. I guess it’s also kind of hard to believe that my daughter is going to be four years old this year! Crazy how time really gets away from you if you let it. That’s not to say that I haven’t been busy in that time, but the focus certainly shifted after having a child and taking on those new responsibilities. Like everyone else, I was sure that wouldn’t change how I was going to work or what I was going to do. I had the focus and I wanted to do this and that. What I didn’t realize is that what I wanted to do had already been shifting from being an full time creative to being a parent. No one ever tells you that. They hear that you are pregnant and are quick to congratulate and give you a hearty pat on the back. But not the bit of advice that you may need as a creative, or anyone that has a serious craft. That advice is that if you want to be a part of your child’s life, your craft will have to take a back seat while you spend time being a good parent. Hell, not even a good parent, just one that is present, working and trying for your children. It’s not a job that anyone is really prepared for, but it is rewarding and most grow to love it very quickly.
Being a creative who has a craft doesn’t end there. It’s always there with you. Some people choose to ignore it and live out there days wondering what if. I’m not that kind of person. Which is why I sit here in the early hours of the morning working on projects that do satisfy my need to create. Not just music but, being creating in general. Helping out friends with their writing, editing some photography sets that I shot recently, working on new stories for scripts or other forms, cutting together new short films that I’ve shot. The why has always been there, but making the time has always been the challenge. Like most, I have a day job to provide for my family and then I take care of my family at night. The time to be creative has to squeeze in there somewhere and it doesn’t always get a fair share. But it’s never gone away. It’s always there thinking of something new, a new way of telling a story, a different strategy to do better at business and life or a different way of looking at things.
All of that has brought me full circle to Das Miguel 2.0. This is the time that I take to work on my craft. People ask me all the time to help in some way, and this way it keeps it organized and gives it a fair share. I’m not sure this is really a manifesto or anything, but I’ve learned that you need to make the time for things you love to do. Everything you see on DasMiguel.com is what I love to do and I want to share with the world. If I can help you with some service that you struggle with, or have some creative need fulfilled, please don’t hesitate to contact me and we can start this collaboration. There’s much more to come from this space so come back every now and then and check it out.
Das Miguel 