NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2025

Hello Reader,

I love painting, but one of my biggest challenges is deciding WHAT to paint. I used to do a lot of second-guessing about my choices. Here’s a story about that.

A few years ago, I had a particularly vivid dream, and got a strong internal nudge to try and paint it. I had been saving a big canvas for something special, and had always been curious if I could capture a dream in paint.

It was an elaborate dreamscape visual - a big hazy desert with two polar bears and some sort of gold-ringed portal that they walked through. The bears felt strong and meaningful to me, and the desert was vast and harsh. The dream also had something about a wedding and my high school friend Tim. All in all, not an easy scene to capture.

The results were, as you can see, less than I might’ve hoped:

I had a grand idea that this painting would unlock a whole new avenue of creativity for me, a brilliant cross-section of subconscious exploration and visual expression.

Instead, I had two clipart bears at a smeary McDonald’s.

I had clocked quite a few hours on this painting, and was feeling a bit frustrated with my intuitive “nudge,” and what a dud this painting was.L

ater that week, I had a date with a woman I had begun seeing. It was her first time visiting my apartment. I left the painting on the easel (hoping to at least impress her with my creativity), but she made no mention of it. The date went well, and we began seeing each other more regularly after that.
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Weeks later, the topic of spirit animals came up. She mentioned that polar bears have always been a protector of hers - and that she had some fears about coming to my place that evening, but then when she walked in, she saw my ugly painting and took it as a clear message that she was safe with me.

I am now married to that woman and we have a son together.

Thank you, nudges.

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Now Accepting New Clients

I love this work. I love sharing the tools I have learned; helping my clients navigate their inner world and then watching that ripple out into their external world in remarkable ways. And I also remember feeling SO NERVOUS to begin my inner exploration. It might not be time. But if you are feeling that call - what the Gurdjieff work calls "magnetic center" pulling you towards working on yourself - then I would love to explore with you.

Virtual or In-Person. For details on package rates and special trainings, visit www.tenoxcoaching.com.

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Upcoming Workshops & Talks

Dec 3 - Integration Circle, Kuya Wellness REGISTER HERE​

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Joseph's Music

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​Listen to Mystic Revival on Spotify​ Joseph's indie-folk band

​Listen to White Buffalo on Spotify​ Joseph's americana-folk solo debut

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Art Update

I had a wonderful two weekends of Austin Studio Tour - thank you to all of you who stopped by. I feel inspired and honored to be part of such a vibrant tradition here in Austin.

I'm so glad we get to stay connected in this way and I'm grateful that you are in my life. Feel free to share this with anyone in your life, and I would love to hear how you are doing. Many blessings on your Thanksgiving feast!

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