The year is 2020, and the month is January. Ahead of you lies the blank canvas of your life. For the last 22 years, you, your mother and I have been preparing you to make those first strokes of the brush. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to what you and your Heavenly Father plan to create!

The above may seem to put a lot of pressure on you, but that is not all. The pressure is off. Gone are the days of assignments, tests, and exams. The fun is about to begin!

Art scholars will tell you that you can make your rough sketches in pencil before you pick up the brush. We have worked with you on a few sketches you created, and, as always, your creativity has amazed us. Initially, you can start by painting the background. Those foundations you need to build your Masterpiece. If you don't get it right the first time, paint over it and try again until you are satisfied.

The untrained hand might be a bit shaky at first, but you have a lot of time ahead of you to develop skills and techniques. Do not be afraid of making a mess. You can always paint over it.

What you are creating is an original work of art. Not comparable to anybody else’s work. Others may inspire you, but you are still painting your own canvas with the skills you now have.

Thirty-something years ago, we learned that one studies through school and university to prepare oneself for a job. And no, do not change jobs too often. You will be branded as a “job-hopper.” A long and hopefully fulfilling career will end in a golden watch and a pension. Then you buy a motorhome and follow the sun like a swallow. Until the swallow can no longer fly and dies.

Boring!

I would posit that one should rather follow their skill development towards what they enjoy doing the most – whatever that may be – and change jobs or start businesses as often as their fun-o-meter requires them to do. While doing so, your character will develop, giving you more skills to work on your Masterpiece.

Repositioning yourself from time to time may seem like creating uncertainty in your life. When I started my IT business in the 1990s, someone said to me, “Get comfortable in your uncertainty!” Uncertainty is not bad. It stimulates creative thinking. Most of the time, the expected happens. But at times, something unexpected surprises you. It is up to you to choose how to react to both pleasant and unpleasant surprises.

A lot of value lies in allowing others to rub off on you, and you rubbing off on others. Therefore, keep the right company! Those who rub off on you should be truly inspiring individuals. You might not notice it at first, but others will soon look up to you for inspiration. What you give them, unintentionally, will become part of your legacy and the Masterpiece you are working on.

So, with all the love and energy I can muster, I say: “Paint the Canvas, my Son!”