Pattern Recognition

I think I’ve discovered it.

Nervous to share it with you actually.

Dare I say?

Can I make a bold statement?

I think it’s one of life’s great secrets!

And I don’t think I’ve ever said that.

Want to know what it is?

Pattern recognition.

I was at a dinner recently for parents (I have a 4 year old) and I heard someone say something about “seeing patterns” and something jumped. Up. And. Bit. Me.

Copyright Forrest Gump.

And that something was a realization that I think recognizing the patterns in your life and having the courage to connect them is part of stewarding what you’re supposed to do.

Stop.

Collaborate and —

Sorry.

Take a moment.

Think about something you did as a kid that was fun. That you got lost in.

Now stop again. Are you doing a version of that today?

If yes, then you’ve discovered the pattern and know exactly what I’m talking about.

If not, then don’t worry.

See I’m of the belief that God wastes nothing. And if this theory is true and you’re not doing the exact thing you did as a kid now as an adult, then I believe you’re using some sort of “intangible” related to that activity today.

And if you’re not, I believe you’re itching to figure it out.

For example, when I was a kid I used to draw. I could look at a picture and replicate it free hand. I also used to make independent hip hop music and write poetry (I know right) which took me taking random feelings and thoughts and hopefully making something that moved someone else.

Today, I run a company called One Week Website where I take abstract ideas, goals, and concepts from people and create websites for them that fits what their business needs.

See the connection? The creative in me as a kid could take abstract ideas, thoughts, and feelings and mash it together into something beautiful.

So in my life I’ll ALWAYS need to merge ideas together to create something beautiful.

And while I had success in my work life and used some of my creativity, I wasn’t using all of it.

And I was frustrated without knowing why.

Until recently when I launched One Week Website, I wasn’t “fully” engaged in my creativity.

Perhaps that’s why I did hip hop music. Or that random 12 Week improv class. (Seriously).

I needed it to come out.

You have an “it” too.

And you know it. (Lol)

And let me tell you: It’s been a 15 year journey to figure it out.

And it has sucked at times.

Actually it’s sucked most of the time.

Because it’s a hovering feeling that never leaves you.

The feeling to make sense of it all.

I’ve gone through the fear, hell, and confusion and had the courage to piece meal my life together with Gods help.

And it starts with self love.

With realizing that what is inside of you is there on purpose.

And if you’re lucky to be self aware of those things, then sitting with them uncomfortably while they are sewed together is the next step.

Because you can’t see the pattern until it’s sewed together.

The problem is you aren’t supposed to sew.

You’re supposed to sit.

You have one job.

Ok two.

Actually three.

Job one: sit

Job two: trust

Job three: recognize the pattern.

Again: we aren’t supposed to know it all.

In fact, we will never know it all.

So fearing the unknown is nonsensical because we will never know everything.

So the purpose of this process and the unknown is to trust God.

And then the process helps you figure out some patterns.

It also helps you build muscles to sustain the thing you’ll eventually see patterns in.

And you’ll seen those random moments of your life connected with a beautiful thread.

And you’ll realize you wouldn’t change anything.

Because you wouldn’t want to carry something you don’t have strength for.

Because it would crush you.

So then you realize that He took you on a beautiful journey.

And was careful with you the entire time.

And you tell your friends about it over pizza and cry.

Tears of joy instead of tears of sadness.

Or write a blog about it with one line sentences.

(Sorry just testing something.)

For 15 years, I couldn’t give words to this.

Now I can.

Chill. Recognize patterns. Turn those patterns into waves. And ride them.

Does this make sense to you?

Have you gone on this journey?

Are you on it now?

Sound off and let me know in the comments.

Danny Peavey is the CEO and founder of One Week Website, the alternative to big, expensive web design companies and cheapo, do-it-yourself website builders. You can reach him directly at danny@oneweekwebsite.com.