Personal Reflections
Volume 1, No. 32
This week I have been in Amesbury, Massachusetts at Creator Camp. Creator Camp is put on my Ecamm. It is the live streaming and video production software I use to create social media videos/reels, YouTube videos, and Zoom meeting integration. This is my second year attending this camp. I have learned so much and met many fascinating creators from new to experienced. I am normally not the most outgoing or vocal person until I get to know people. This year I challenged myself to extend myself. I am a better person for it.
As we are firmly entrenched into the final quarter of this year, I like to start thinking about what I need to focus on for next year. Starting early (usually in November) on those intentions helped me beat the rush of New Year resolutions that have previously gotten me nowhere. I am making the time for a self-assessment. The ability to self-assess prevents me from gaslighting myself.
QUICK ASSESSMENT
Take 5 minutes to answer these questions for yourself on a 5-point scale. DON'T think too hard. The first response is usually the most honest.
1-Very Poor | 2-Poor | 3-Average | 4-Good | 5-Very Good
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Stable energy levels during the day.
Your current level of physical activity.
The quality of your sleep and rest.
Your ability to get out of a chair or off the floor.
MENTAL HEALTH
Management of stress or overwhelm.
Skills for managing your emotions.
Your ability to stay present and focused.
SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Rate how connected you feel to your faith.
Rate the level of engagement in consistent spiritual activities (prayer, worship, meditation).
Rate your sense of purpose
HERSTORIES: BRENDA BANKS (1949–2020)
Brenda Lee Banks was a pioneering African American animator and one of the first Black women to establish a career in professional animation. Born in Los Angeles, she graduated from Fremont High School before attending the California Institute of the Arts, where she balanced her education with early animation work.
Banks gracefully handled discrimination because of her gender, her race, and her physical disability. She began her career in the 1970s, contributing to projects like B.C.: The First Thanksgiving. She joined Ralph Bakshi's studio, working on films such as Coonskin, Wizards, and The Lord of the Rings. Later, she lent her talents to major studios like Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, and Fox, contributing to beloved productions like The Simpsons, The Pirates of Dark Water, Looney Tunes, and King of the Hill. From 1997 to 2005, she served as a layout animator for King of the Hill before stepping away from animation.
In 2018, Banks was recognized with the Women in Animation Diversity Award, honoring her decades of contributions to the industry. Known for her reserved nature, she preferred to focus on her work rather than seek public recognition.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.”
Until next time.....remember to use your voice and document your stories because they matter!
