The Velveteen Life

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?” asked the Rabbit. “It doesn't happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.” —Marjery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

I found this quote at the beginning of an article in Communication Arts, which talked about a creative’s love for advertising. I thought the author, Ernie Schenck, was very successful at pointing out that you should find out if you really love advertising by looking to the future. Even when you’re faced with rejection from clients and creative directors and criticism about your best work, you have to still feel that you love what you do. That’s what will tell you whether you really love advertising. 

I love how messages become so clear through parables. Here's an excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit:


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“Real isn’t how you are made…” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept..."

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You know you really love something when you love it unconditionally.