Words of Wisdom – from BrainPickings.org
When asked by an aspiring photographer, “How can I make more interesting photographs?” photographer David duChemin answered, “Become a more interesting person.”
How does one become more “interesting?”
One way is to expose yourself to new ideas, creativity, and insights. Think of each new idea or image or experience as a LEGO block. And then think of combining those LEGO blocks in new ways. The richer and more diverse your LEGO blocks are, the wider your possibilities are.
Reading, traveling, looking at art, hearing music, attending the theater, and people-watching create new LEGO blocks of ideas and experiences for me.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.” — Maya Angelou
Recently I went to see Sarah Sampedro’s photography exhibit, Art and Motherhood, and was blown away by the intensity, creativity, and truth of her work. One of her photos (see below) literally brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the ambivalence, wonder, and intensity of my early years as a mother.
Self-portrait by Sarah Sampedro
There are several photographers and other websites that inspire me and challenge me to think and learn.
One of my favorite sites is Brain Pickings. Along with fascinating articles on literature, creativity, and learning, the site features audio clips like this one—
It also features typographic art that I love like this—
typographic collage drawing from BrainPickings.org
I’ve been a listener to Krista Tippett’s radio show On Being for many years. On Being is a radio show that asks questions like, “What does it mean to be human, and how do we want to live?”
On Being – Peter Durand’s sketch notes
The On Being Blog challenges, inspires, and entertains and Krista Tippett’s radio shows are fascinating. Parker Palmer, author of A Hidden Wholeness, regularly writes blog posts for the On Being Blog. Recent blog post titles like “The Disease of Being Busy,” “There is No Honest Rest: All the Things I Would Rather Be Than Good,” “Whatever Key You Want,” and “The Choice of Hanging On or Giving To” are well worth the read.
David duChemin is one of my favorite photographers. He’s written several books and his blog posts are entertaining and informative. Take a look at “The Next Step” and “Finding Your Mojo.”
Danielle LaPorte, author of The Desire Map is another writer I like to read online. She writes like she speaks (dramatically) but I find some nuggets that stick with me in her articles. Check out “Making New Mind Grooves” or “8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Committing to a Goal.“
Who or what inspires you? Are you taking the time to read or experience it?
May you walk in beauty.
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