Pearls and Coal

Many of you following this blog may be a little confused by the comic.  The comic is somewhat autobiographical but completely metaphorical.  Everything that happens in the comic is meant to be a metaphor or sometimes a trope of what has happened or is happening in my life.  The characters may represent myself, parts of myself, or other people I've met.


Why would I do this?  Why take such a fantastical approach?  Well, the answer can be summarized in the proverb "cast not pearls [or coal] before swine."  I'm not going to reveal everything about me and what I've experienced literally because it's personal and special to me.  You don't share the wounds and triumphs of your life with just anyone.


However, I do believe what I've experienced can be an inspiration to the sincere.  I feel that the amazing parts of my journey in life can inspire people to take control of their own life and wake up from mediocrity.  In order to protect what's special to me but to inspire the honest in heart I've taken the metaphorical approach in telling this story.


If you want to learn more about what everything means I encourage you to look up the words, symbols, or tropes used in the comic.  What everything means can be interpreted differently.  There's a true or intended meaning behind each symbol but there's no right or wrong interpretation.  By guessing or taking your own interpretation of what you see and read may provide the inspiration you may be looking for.


I hope that helps for anyone who may be a little confused.  I thank anyone for reading the blog and whoever is faithfully following.  I'd appreciate any advice or questions.


Peace,
Stephen

Comic 001: Blank and Max

So, if you haven't read the previous post I highly recommend it.  Upon starting this new journey I've met with some opposition.  Please read on...

I wouldn't want to tick off a guy with a killer whale head so I've obeyed Max and have kept up this blog.   Before he left he told me to go to California.  This all happened months ago so I was pretty confused since I just planned a trip to visit my mission again.  Since then I've gone to California like Max said and have much to report on in a future post.

I've run into Blank a couple more times since our last fight.  Thankfully, I've been drawing so I haven't lost my beard or anything else.  Thank goodness.  I have more to report on but until then, fight the good fight.

Stephen Larsen

UPDATE: Yikes!  I apologize for the grammatical errors in the comic.  I'll be sure to have them proofread in the future.

Beginning of a Journey

I don't think I ever really update this blog.  I've had it for so long but I haven't really kept up with it.  I've decided to completely revamp this whole thing to accompany my whole new experience.  "Whole new experience?" you ask.  Well, let me tell you.


It all started a year ago or so when I was transitioning to post mission life.  I was still getting used to the idea of not being a missionary.  I, quite frankly, felt really emasculated.  I felt like there was a lot more than just a mantle that was taken away from me.  What was it?


I started researching and my mind came pressed on the subject of friendship.  Somehow the camaraderie and brotherhood of my mission was really important to me and I noticed that it was gone now.  Trying to recreate or regain that experience was impossible.  I started feeling like I was a weirdo because friendship was so important to me.  I looked online on the subject and didn't really find what I was looking for.  Everything seemed to be for a female audience.  I changed my approach and googled "male friendship."


The first site I came to is now my favorite blog and has seriously changed my life.  That blog is The Art of Manliness.  A.o.M resolved all of my concerns on the subject and had some other really awesome articles.  Something started to change little by little within me.  My eyes opened up to a new world where other men had a lot of concerns of emasculation that I had.  I wasn't a weirdo, I just recognized something that most men don't.


Eventually, I started reading Brett McKay's 5 article series on finding your true vocation in life.  Needless to say, I was inspired.  I then realized that everything I want to do and feel called to do involves my creative talents.  I realized that the job I would do for free would be drawing all day, it would be acting, it would be writing, or it would be making movies.  It seems like a new person was getting ready to be born within me.


My mind couldn't think of anything else.  I soon discovered that this new man within me was more than just an artist and a dreamer.  This new man was someone who was courageous, ambitious, and determined.  I soon discovered qualities surfacing within me that I've struggled for a long time to develop.  The last time I was this happy was on my mission.


So where has that led me today?  Well, that is to be explored in future posts and I hope that you take this journey with me.


Peace,
Stephen Larsen