More on purpose

One of the best selling books ever, Purpose Driven Life, reminds us that there is a higher purpose than can drive our lives if we allow it. All of our many smaller creative pursuits can fit into an overarching Purpose that ultimately makes perfect sense. Consider these quotes on purpose:

When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind. - Seneca

If you don't decide what your life is about, it defaults to what you spend your days doing. - Robert Brault

If you're alive, there's a purpose for your life. - Rick Warren

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't. - Richard Bach

The purpose of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. - The Bible (Proverbs 20:5)

Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life ... Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it. - Viktor Frankl

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests. - John Stuart Mill

More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent. - Billy Sunday

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

In honor of Valentine's Day...

Passion = gas, Purpose = the track

In my mind, passion is the gas and purpose is the track for meaningful creative pursuits. I also believe that God has a specific purpose for each of us that includes some form of creativity. If we are in His image, and He is a creator, we are creators in one form or another.

Consider these quotes on passion:

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Nelson Mandela

It is a fact often observed, that men have written good verses under the inspiration of passion, who cannot write well under other circumstances. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Passion is the genesis of genius. Tony Robbins

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. Oprah Winfrey

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

Passion is in all great searches and is necessary to all creative endeavors. W. Eugene Smith

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

On the way home from a meeting this week I stopped by McConnels Mill's State Park in Butler, PA for about 10 minutes and found this peaceful place. (backstory: I slipped on a rock, through my camera in the air, it hit the rock, and I landed on my rear. Camera is OK, rear is sore.)

 

Capture your heart

Much of what we do comes from our interests and passions. Hopefully you’re fortunate to work in a field that is an area of passion, or at least do something at work that interests you.  But if not, at least your creative pursuits outside of work can be driven from your inner core – the thing(s) that make you cry or pound your fist on the table.

I don’t do a lot of portrait or people photography. But when I do, I like to capture a story or an emotion. The photo below presented itself to me as I was walking in a park in Florida. The park is in the middle of a retirement area and I knew this couple embodied a story. Even though they both need a walker to get around, they were committed to getting out and enjoying the sunshine together. Somehow I also felt they were committed to each other and will continue to walk together as long as they are able.

Think about what moves you. Create from your heart.

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

Every day is a gift.

Getting there is important

I rarely post something from someone else in its entirety, but I think this is worth it (from Blaine Hogan):

You must understand that your art is not just what you make but how you make it. Your art isn't just the “what” of the end result, but also “how” you got there.

When we don’t allow for our end products to be birthed out of true artistic and creative processes that honor the “how” and even the “why,” the artist will be unable to infuse it with any internal significance. If it doesn’t mean something to the artist it won’t mean anything to the audience.

Weʼve all been in meetings or conversations about a piece of art where the following question is uttered:“Did it work?” This is not a question of art. This is a question for your washing machine. “Did it work?,” is not a bad question, there just might be better ones like…

Did you bring your insides out?
Did you acknowledge the lump in your throat?
Did you tell a compelling story?
Did you try something new? Something risky?
Did you work from your center?
Did you allow yourself to be moved?

We must put as much time into our “how” and our “why,” as we do our “what.”

This is how we make our process a work of art.

 PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

 I love to take farm photos. Yes, I did stretch the sky a little in Photoshop - couldn't resist.