83. HOWARD THURMAN: Ask yourself
Howard Thurman (1899-1981) was an author, educator, African-American leader and was a prominent figure during the American Civil Rights movement. His books on philosophy and theology were a major influence on Martin Luther King Jnr.
Having an Asian background (although I’m born and bred in Australia), I know what it’s like to be pressured into getting good grades at school, going to University and moving on to a nice, respectable career (I’m not saying all Asian parents are academically obssessed, but I have seen a lot of it growing up). I’m thankful that my parents weren’t too controlling (they briefly wanted me to be an architect since I was good at drawing, but I quickly talked them out of that crazy idea. All those straight lines and math … I shudder just thinking about it!). However, I do know quite a few friends that were forced into careers they weren’t passionate about. Then after working in their field for a few years they realise, ‘Hold on, I actually hate this!’. Even though I chose to be a graphic designer, I was never passionate about it and I felt exactly the same a year ago.
Finally, I decided to change and do something that made me feel alive (you know, drawing stuff) and it has been the best decision I’ve ever made. And what’s even more unbelievable is that the thing that makes me feel alive has actually helped others make the same decision. I’ve had emails from readers who have made positive changes in their lives after visiting this blog. The quotes and comics have inspired them to either make a career change, pick-up a hobby or even just re-evaluate their life. And that has been the biggest reward to come out of Zen Pencils (besides the groupies). I would have never in a million years thought my cartoons would be capable of having such an impact. I’ll be featuring a few of these readers in the next Reader of the Month post so stay tuned to read their great stories.
- Many thanks to Gale, Timothy and Melody for submitting this quote.
- Strangely, this quote is often misattributed to a ‘Harold Whitman’, a totally made-up name.
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This is, by far, the best comics you have ever written. I, being an asian child, am also pressured into entering a career I really didn’t want (Accountant? What the heck?). It made me realize that although my work made me live, it didn’t make me alive. Thanks for sharing! It’s just what I need to motivate me in performing a career change.
Great news Norman, good luck!
The quote has been a favorite of mine for a long time. That being said, I love how you’ve drawn the expressions in this. And honestly, I’d love to see a movie made about a lawyer like this.
dang man, you have outdone yourself yet again. This is so far my most favorite
awesome as always
)
This comics his particularly close to home.
I left my six-figure job as an attorney at a large, international law firm to pursue my true passion–writing and advocating for craft beer. I quit my job as an attorney, determined to make this work. On the same day, I landed my two dream jobs–one with All About Beer Magazine and one as Executive Director of the non-profit North Carolina Brewers Guild that protects and promotes the state’s small, independent craft breweries. I’ve never been happier, and I now know this is my life’s work after searching for so long.
Thanks so much, and keep up the great work!
What a great story, you found two dream jobs on the DAY you quit your old job??? Amazing.
Dude, you need twice the credit for actually working and searching for a way to make your drams come true at the same time. Because no one’s dream job just comes to them on the first day of them leaving their old life.
I cracked up at the Macho man poster… “ooooh yeahhh”
thank you… simply thank you.
Man, I just want to say thank you!
Thanks for those cartoons, that are great!
You’re great at this!
PD:Sorry if my english is too bad
I am an Asian and I’m a computer programmer. My parents signed me up on the spot at the college without asking me. Although my pay is good and i have a roof over my head, never a day goes by that i never think about what if i pursue what i loved, Animation. I would cry at the sight of this comic, but those tears have dried up. Good job, Gav.
programming is as big a part in the animation industry as the artistic aspects.
There are many programmers that made the transition from the more technical side of the industry to the artistic aspects and are doing rather well. Perhaps you can still pursue animation via that path if that’s what you really love. All the best.
I agree with Waine. Animation and programming are technologically related. Perhaps you can find a job in a video game or movie or some studio of some industry that values both programming and animating, and slowly jump ships within the studio/company? Or be a programmer AND an animator in that studio? Boy are you gonna be respected by knowing so many skills! All the best!
Wow, my readers are the best … you have our support Wan. I would also think that computer programmers would be sought after in the animation industry.
I really love the support that is being shown here. This has moved me very deeply since I’m going through the same life-path as WAN KIDD. Thank you all and especially GAV. All of you have really made my day.
When those tears dry up you lose a part of your soul. Reconnect with your soul and take the first few steps to making your dreams a reality. Some day you will die and to die with regrets is a terrible thing. Mistakes are okay, regrets are not.
I’m a huge wrestling fan and with this comic, you have brought out that child in me, the child full of wonders and hopes. Through this, you have made me alive.
Ah, this explains why court rooms have no folding chairs.
Best comment.
+1
This may be my favorite comic of yours. It really made an impression on me.
i’m Asian and I am very thankful my parents let me choose what I want to be. There’s nothing better than doing what you love!
I’m an architect, I’m glad someone outside the field knows that both drawings and I are needed. I’m Asian too and kinda glad I wasn’t pressured to chose my path
both drawings and numbers*
this is one funny comic… keep rockin’!
As an artist student, this gave me a huge impact in my heart. This artwork and amazing words killed my sadness today. Thank you very much GAV and stay awesome :’)
I’m also Asian by the way
This is insanely epic! Thank you for making this.
a really inspiring point of view. it opens up my mind that we does not need to settle with ordinary and generic profession, but we can crave for more (wrestling champion maybe)
C’mon, people, such pressure is not exclusive to Asians, nor is it common to all Asians. It doesn’t matter if you’re Asian!
point taken
Agreed.
So true. I’ve always wanted to do creative writing and ended up working in construction. Finally realized that’s not for me. Closed the business even though it was doin ok and joined a course and now trying to be a writer. It doesn’t pat as much but I feel a lot happier
Way to go Amit!
When your flame is alight, it is easier to light it in others, than be inert and convince them to rub sticks together. (^- ^ )
The facial expressions in this art are brilliant, Gavin. Bullseye. (>(-o ) )
Awesomeness
This is awesome! I study philosophy and people often ask me what I want to do after I graduated – “you will never find a proper job”, “don’t you want to have a career”, etc. . Sometimes people make me feel insecure about my choice. Your cartoons inspire and motivate me to keep up what I really want to do. Thank you, Gavin!
I *totally* loved today’s cartoon. As an Indian, I’ve always grown up with the pressure of studying and I’m glad today I’m doing what I love to do
Thank you so much for this cartoon!
It’s awesome how you make each comic unique and memorable, I think inspiration transcends the work itself
But Rising Phoenix needs to earn some money for her children, for health insurance, for her pension etc.
GAV, the choice you made was definitively the right one. Your comics have a great visual style, the way you bring the quotes is fantastic, but the combination of the two is often very moving. During some “what the hell am I doing?” moments I actually got watery eyes…
Well done, congrats with your successful site. Hopefully you’ll keep going (while getting more and more viewers) for a long time – you deserve it.
Awesome piece, I totally understand where all the Asians here are coming from as I’m Asian myself too. Loved the contrast you made with the vibrant and dull coloured panels
This is awesome Gav! You gave the quotation, dignity! This really is one of the things that inspires me! I was surprised when I saw my email and read my name. Lol Made my day! Thanks zenpencils!
Excellent comic, Gav! I’m definitely sharing this one with my friends. This is a lesson we all need to follow. Great job!
I do not quite understand: Architecture is considered a fine art! And what is so wrong about mathematics (and lines, in particular)? Mathematics is also a fine art!
OT, there is nothing wrong with mathematics or architecture. What Thurman is saying is that there is something wrong with dedicating your life to those things because somebody else told you it’s your responsibility, or that it’s the only way to get a good job, or any other reason, if those pursuits aren’t fulfilling to you.
The statement isn’t about what subject you follow. Gav chose one example close to his heart, but you could easily imagine a cartoon with a different perspective (say, a child of artists who is pressured to become a musician but finds more inspiration in civil engineering) and the point would remain the same.
Surely. But my point is not the “what” but the “tone”. If, say, I would draw such a comic, I would state something like “As respectable as medicine is as a human endeavour, I could barely stand the idea of cutting a human being”.
I would say that this is my favorite comic, but it seems like every time that I do you never fail to top it. It reminds me of workdays when I would nod off at the computer because working on databases would be just that unengaging. But I haven’t given up on the passions that got me into computers in the first place, so maybe there’s still hope for me.
Following Zen Pencils has been good for my soul. Thank you so much for drawing it.
This reminds me of a great Neil deGrasse Tyson story (maybe I even found the link here originally). While in college, he was told by a fellow African-American student, “The Black community can’t afford the luxury of someone with your intellect to spend it on astrophysics.” The statement haunted him for years — he continued to follow his passion, but always with some nagging doubt if he was failing in his responsibility to society.
Then something happened that made him realize that, in his words, “the Black community can’t afford for me not to do astrophysics.” Watch / listen to the whole 12 minute clip; it’s totally worth it.
Great story, always have time for NdGT
Is she elbow dropping the opposing attorney or her boss?
I’m not sure which one is better.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you !!
You go, Gavin! You’ve done it again. Great job!
This one is the most relevant to my life right now. Though I haven’t been in retail long (I supposed five years is plenty, however!), I finally realised that it wasn’t my passion. Neither was becoming the stereotypical female Asian pharmacist that my mother wants me to be.
Thank you for your timing, Gav. It couldn’t have been better! This Rising Phoenix has another bit of motivation to finally do her passion: photojournalism.
i just read through every single piece you’ve posted and i just want to say that you are absolutely amazing. keep up the good work.
The attorney’s face on the last block is priceless…
I went through this similar route in University, and I’m going onto my 6th year right now so I can avoid working in a lab forever. Cheers, great comic!
Good God how I miss Randy Savage.
Amazing work as always btw.
Another great comic, and it is truly never too late to make a change and do what you want to do!
I took a bit of an unorthodox path to get to where I am as well but I couldn’t be happier. After nearly 9 years in uniform (following the family tradition) I was able to complete my BS in Chemistry. Shortly after finishing school I separated from the military and took a job as a forensic chemist doing counter-insurgency investigations. It really makes me feel like I make a difference when I hear from Soldiers and Marine’s who tell me that their friend was injured (or even killed) in an IED attack but it was my research/investigation that led to the apprehension and incarceration of the attackers. I am by no means on the front lines with the real heroes out here, but we all have our part to play
Another great thing to come out of this is it has afforded my wife and I the financial stability for her to go back to school and fulfill her dreams of, ironically, becoming an Architect!
Another great story, thanks for sharing GT. My readers are all so interesting! And I have nothing against architects, just not the profession for me
I completely understand! My wife is 2 years into a 5 year program and I don’t know how she does it. It’s equal parts design/creativity and engineering/technology. I try my best to keep up when she explains things but it’s just not my style.
She is the president of the schools chapter of the “American Institute of Architecture Students” and makes a point to get to know all of the incoming freshman. It’s astounding how many first year students enroll because 1) Their parents pressured them or 2) They’re only thinking about money.
Forensic chemist? wow cool. Is it like what Sherlock Holmes doing? Coool.
Motivating and humorous at the same time, finish him with Flying Elbow Drop!
Just know about Howard Thurman through your post, thanks so much for that. An Asian trying to sort dream out here, but my problem is the culture and environment instead of parents. Gotta try harder!
this is for sure, an amazing quote, however, for me, it is a really selfish one, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do what you love, but not everyone can do this, sometimes they have to do what is needed, even if it means going in the opposite way they were planing for a number of reasons I can’t even list… this quote represents a egocentric way of view.
Since this is my first comment ever.. I should say that your drawings are really touching, they give a greater meaning to these marvelous quotes, I like especially “the boy”, “the monk” and “the Warrior” series, would love to see these three guys in the same comic, and…
there is a new project in the web that you might find interesting, it is a animated version of a song called “Mademoiselle Noir”, I think you should look it out, if you have the time.
Thanks a lot for your attention, and keep doing your stuff, having a great time with it.
Grande Abraço
I think you misunderstand the quote.
It’s not about the times you are forced to do something by circumstances beyond anyone’s control.
The comic clearly highlights what the quote is getting at: being tricked by the world, being pressured by opinions, into doing something that isn’t right for you. Choosing whether to listen to the world, or to yourself, is something that is always within one’s own control. But the world often tricks us into believing that this isn’t so.
This kind of “selfishness” is justified and necessary. If we allow others to tell us what to do with our lives, rather than do what we need to do in order to be healthy, we are useless to the world as well as ourselves. The world doesn’t need ground down, timid, lifeless people who only do what they’re told. That’s what the quote is really getting at.
I agree with your point of view, and the comic bring life to this quote, that’s for sure…
My critic is only for the quote, when I say this quote is selfish I’m thinking that it only give credit to the last piece of the story, the “one” that was brave enough to pursue their dreams ’till the end, truth is that for someone to take this great step, many before it had to suffer the miserability of life, many of them had to make sacrifices, for others to prevail.
What I think is that sometimes we as individuals, as pieces of a great puzzle called society, we can’t just do what we want (and here is the “selfishness” of the quote), sometimes we have to do what the world needs from us, despite our dreams or anything else, these are the true BRAVE “ones” they can embrace stuff they hate and turn it into their dreams, without them we wouldn’t be able to fight for our dreams, and this quote wouldn’t be possible…
This is my favorite quote now ^_^ Definitely saving this.
Every day that I get an email from you and your site is a great day. You touch so many lives with your art. You’ll never know them all but never doubt that what you do makes a difference.
Getting up daily to do a job which you don’t like is so sick.
I hope I change and get into doing something that really makes me come alive. Travel, language, reading and photography! Software isn’t a thing for me, damn! Love this cartoon and the emotion it carries. I hope to see more of this stuff so that it really pushes people like me (I know quite a lot of ppl) to do what they really want to do and stop going behind money!
I think a lot of people will be too bitter to understand this quote and this comic. They will think this is about selfishness.
But that’s the result of the mindjob the world has done on them, leaving the to defensively justify why they have allowed themselves to be repressed by others.
The key thing is that in this example (in the comic) the young girl is not being selfish. Rather, she is the victim of another’s selfishness. She didn’t just want to go be a sportswoman because she was flighty and irresponsible – she was a natural athlete. She was good at it, and won awards. But instead of being encouraged to do what she was great at, she was told she had to do something else to please the whims of another person.
Her rebellion at the end is not an act of selfishness (except perhaps the justified selfishness of doing what one must to be a healthy person) but a statement: I know now I was tricked into thinking I couldn’t do what was best for me.
The human condition is such that we are easily tricked and manipulated by others, and by society, in to believing we are things we are not. Believing things are our fault, that are not. Believing we have guilt for what someone else did. People who are bitter, who have been ground down by the world, perpetuate a narrative that life is nothing but suffering and what you “must” do to survive, for you have no choice in anything. And people like this, who are in truth damaged and hurt, help reinforce the general idea people cannot do what they want to do, only what they’re forced to do… and what they’re told to do.
Tragically, many parents force their children to do things purely because the parent sees their own “suffering” as giving them the obligation to force their children to do a “responsible” thing. And inevitably that responsible thing seems to end up being only what the parent was forced to do, forced to suffer through.
Circumstances beyond control often prevent us from doing what would be best for ourselves in life. But the true narrative of life is a struggle to create a world in which everyone has the chance to do what is best for themselves, and to “come alive”. Either you understand this or you don’t.
This comic really touched me where it hurts… Wonderful work, it really moves me.
I’m currently in the beginning of the comic : I’m doing hard studies with no relation at all with my passion, drawing. I don’t feel I belong to this world of nonsense work, but I decided myself to do this, because I’m afraid of my future if I let myself in the artistic world…
I hope that in a few years I will be able to reconcile drawing and work… I hope. Or I will get rid of by boring job and let myself all into drawing… Well, I don’t know what my future look like.
Again, great drawing, great quote. Keep up.
Thank you so, so much for making female-centric cartoons where the character’s strong and smart! When I see ones like this, it made me realize how few exist.
The faces in the last panel are making for uncontrollable giggling fits. You GO, girl!
I guess the humbling thing about life is that we can’t have it all. Inevitably, by choosing one path we forego another. It’s ultimately about what motivates you, whether it be your own desires, passions, or commitments, and its interactions with your perceptions.
Life is merely our perception of reality.
Funny enough, I quit my job of being an architectural drafter to go back to university to study music. While being a drafter no doubt helped me in getting enough money to go to school, my passion has always been music. Life’s too short to be doing stuff you’d rather not do.
FabTastiK!!!
I liked this strip a lot. Thank you, for this.. Mainly because I am going thru a phase in life being dissatisfied with what I am doing.. ya, the only thing it is giving me is stability, but that is not all that I want. I will be soon landing myself into a new profile, not sure how much better that will be, but I sure will feel alive for sometime before I finally settle to do something close to my heart.. run a montessori and have an exotic garden.. Insha Allah..
Love all your comments! So happy so many of you can relate to this story and that it’s helped light a fire inside you.
Wow Gavin really inspiring! Love this one and don’t know how you source your material but love the historical education too! Didn’t know who Howard Thurman was and more so that he was such an impact on Martin Luther King Jr!
Honestly coming from an asian background (Indian inparticular) not being an engineer, doctor or lawyer could really have sent me to the fryer but I’m lucky my parents were strong enough to support me in my decisions even though many of their friends sons and daughters are in these professions!
Now after some drastic changes (as you know) I am very happy and taking it one step at a time in my new life!
Much love bro.
As someone that loves professional wrestling and graduated law school, I can relate.
B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T! it made me laughed so hard! wahahahahahah
This is totally what I plan to do. Hell yeah! Great job once again! Boom, chaka-laka.
I love that her signature move is the Macho Man elbow!
Great work
Why isn’t this one available as a print? I would love to have it!
I second this emotion. I would love, Love, LOVE to buy a print of this! Wrestling + inspiration? I am enthralled! Well done.
Love how you interchanged between colour and black/white, using colour only for the sections related to wrestling. Great Job and keep up the good work.
PS: Although asian too (seems quite recurrent around here) I decided to become an archaeologist. I’m having a blast.
Howard Thurman’s a real philosopher!
There was I time when I felt that, as an artist, I needed to get a day job at a company in order to make a living with my artwork. But experience has made me realise that my true passion is to go at things alone, for myself and for the people out there who care. Webcomics are the greatest way to express yourself to the world.
Probably my favorite comic so far, when will this be available for purchase at the store?
PRINT AVAILABLE!
http://society6.com/zenpencils/83-ASK-YOURSELF_Print
This advice was actually given at my college graduation in June and it’s always suck with me. I love this comic reminder. Both entertaining and inspiring. Most excellent indeed!
simple story with big meaning. ^_^
The Rising Phoenix: Dynamite Wrestler and The Most Vicious Contract Negotiator in Her League!
i am in LOVE with how this was colored. she only really DOES “come alive” when she’s doing what she loves. amazing.
this one really resonates with me. i have looked at this one every day for a week and it really makes me think that there’s a chance I won’t be condemned to the life that i’m supposed to live. it makes me actually think that i can be that person who is alive
Good luck Jennifer!
I named my company based on this quotation. It’s a site to help active seniors to come alive and stay alive. It’s one of my favorite quotes ever. I use it in talks along with the Joseph Campbell quote about the meaning of life being in the feeling of being alive.
Great name
Hey I never really comment on things on the internet but after reading your paragraph under the comic and browsing each comic on this blog I have to say they have allowed me to re-evaluate my life and I wanted to thank you for that. Keep up the good work. It’s really helping to inspire myself, a lost student midway through college who is doubting the current path they are on and helping me realize what I really want out of life.
-Jon
I’m asian, and i can’t talk my parents out of this, i love drawing and chemical engineering isn’t the right thing for me -sigh-
your comic is really motivating.
But i will continue to get better till my chances come
Love this illustration Gavin! Thanks for continuing to inspire us through your wonderful art.
Cheers!
Parin
Liked the way you put the stuff related to dreams in color and the other in Black n white
tnx to how made that comics 4 me
wow, this really helped me open my eyes.
I’m so glad you decided to switch from being a graphic designer to doing this, I would have blindly went about with my life if I had never came across this powerful message. Also being an Asian, it was hard for me to embrace my creative self and lean away from the pressure of pursuing a career in medicine, engineering or law, which I certainly did not want. Now I am confident to break out of the societal norm and do whatever that keeps me alive! All thanks to you!