I love short visual stories that warm my heart. Here is one for you; it's a commercial, but it's also a warm visual story.
My best,
Brian
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Vision
I have a new favorite person I have just met. Well, perhaps I need to rephrase that. I have a new favorite person I have just come in contact with. No, that's not right. I have a new favorite person I have become aware of...
You see, I have just come to be aware of Dave duChemin through a book he has written, as well as through a blog he writes. The book in question is "Within the Frame
" which is a book about the "why" of photography as opposed to the "how" of photography and it intrigued me deeply when I came across it recently in a bookstore. The entire book is about discovering your artistic vision, nurturing it, and creating from it. And I think Dave hits the nail on the head. He writes passionately about vision (he even has a recently published book about vision entitled "VisionMongers
") and although his craft is photography and therefore geared to photographers, his writing is deeply about living life fully; about living life creatively. And, being a photographer, his pages are filled with stimulating, motivating, and enriching images that speak to that place in our hearts and souls that are beyond words.
In glancing through his book and reading some of his blog posts (check out his blog at www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/) I have come to realize that his work is not photography. His work is more about education, inspiration, and communication. He aims to educate people about humanitarian causes in the world; he hopes to inspire people to connect with others who might need some help; and he intends to communicate in a visual and visceral way. My sense is that photography for Mr. duChemin is a tool that allows him to create something moving, not just for himself, but for others as well.
And that is the piece that moves me; his intention to create something that moves himself and others. He appears to have put himself in service of something greater than himself and as a result has the ability to connect deeply with other people through images, and now words.
I have written in the past about living a creative life, not just in the sense of creating artwork, but more importantly in the sense of being creative with the common things in our lives; having a sense of play and wonder with being alive. It seems I have discovered someone who does this and is actively encouraging others to do so as well. While his medium is photographic images and books about the photographic process, I find his subject matter carries over into the overall context of this blog; exploring how to live creatively. As such, I would encourage you to glance through his book the next time you are in a bookstore (or better yet, buy a copy-Mr. duChemin would like to be able to make a living from his writing so that he can devote more time to humanitarian causes), visit his blog (at the very least you will be rewarded with looking at some beautiful photographs), and even visit his online eBook store "Craft and Vision." You just might gain a few ideas on how to live life creatively. I know I have!
As always, I appreciate any comments or feedback and hope you have found this blog post helpful and meaningful. Please also visit my website at http://www.koipondcounseling.com/
My best,
Brian
You see, I have just come to be aware of Dave duChemin through a book he has written, as well as through a blog he writes. The book in question is "Within the Frame
" which is a book about the "why" of photography as opposed to the "how" of photography and it intrigued me deeply when I came across it recently in a bookstore. The entire book is about discovering your artistic vision, nurturing it, and creating from it. And I think Dave hits the nail on the head. He writes passionately about vision (he even has a recently published book about vision entitled "VisionMongers") and although his craft is photography and therefore geared to photographers, his writing is deeply about living life fully; about living life creatively. And, being a photographer, his pages are filled with stimulating, motivating, and enriching images that speak to that place in our hearts and souls that are beyond words. In glancing through his book and reading some of his blog posts (check out his blog at www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/) I have come to realize that his work is not photography. His work is more about education, inspiration, and communication. He aims to educate people about humanitarian causes in the world; he hopes to inspire people to connect with others who might need some help; and he intends to communicate in a visual and visceral way. My sense is that photography for Mr. duChemin is a tool that allows him to create something moving, not just for himself, but for others as well.
And that is the piece that moves me; his intention to create something that moves himself and others. He appears to have put himself in service of something greater than himself and as a result has the ability to connect deeply with other people through images, and now words.
I have written in the past about living a creative life, not just in the sense of creating artwork, but more importantly in the sense of being creative with the common things in our lives; having a sense of play and wonder with being alive. It seems I have discovered someone who does this and is actively encouraging others to do so as well. While his medium is photographic images and books about the photographic process, I find his subject matter carries over into the overall context of this blog; exploring how to live creatively. As such, I would encourage you to glance through his book the next time you are in a bookstore (or better yet, buy a copy-Mr. duChemin would like to be able to make a living from his writing so that he can devote more time to humanitarian causes), visit his blog (at the very least you will be rewarded with looking at some beautiful photographs), and even visit his online eBook store "Craft and Vision." You just might gain a few ideas on how to live life creatively. I know I have!
As always, I appreciate any comments or feedback and hope you have found this blog post helpful and meaningful. Please also visit my website at http://www.koipondcounseling.com/
My best,
Brian
P.S.-The image at the top of this blog post was shot by me at sunrise on a trip to Mexico last fall. Seeing as I am often so moved by the images on other people's blogs I thought I might try to post some images to this blog to keep the creativity flowing. Who knows, perhaps I'll even manage to find some images to go with the specific subject matter of the individual posts. Let me know what you think.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Compliments
Well, well...
I have just met with a friend from long ago to catch up and share some professional information and experience. I had a wonderful time as is often the case when I catch up with someone that life's busy-ness keeps me from being in contact with more often. And at the end of our time together, when we were saying our goodbyes, she shared with me that she is subscribed to my blog and encouraged me to post more.
As a result I find myself wanting to write something for this blog during a short break that I have today; I am motivated. My motivation today reminds me of a podcast I listened to yesterday about the power of a compliment and the power of a person paying attention. This podcast (and I hope to perhaps post the link to it soon) pointed out that so many of us who create, be it writing, photography, drawing, painting, pottery, while we are motivated internally by a drive to create are very positively affected by people noticing our work and giving us a compliment.
This got me to thinking. If we are making an effort to live our lives creatively (and by this I don't necessarily mean artistically, but also the simple act of creatively living our lives) won't we be similarly encouraged? Can't we all feel these good feelings I am experiencing by just knowing there is one person out there interested in reading my blog? In short, don't we all thrive on compliments, or even just knowing someone is paying attention to us? I think so.
With this in mind, what would happen if we attempted to ripple a wave of compliments through the world? A kind of "paying it forward" of compliments.
So here is a challenge for you that might read this post: Try, at least once a day, to notice what someone in your environment is doing or creating that has a positive intent or positive outcome, and let them know you have noticed. Perhaps even offer them a compliment. You might just have made someone's day.
My best,
Brian
I have just met with a friend from long ago to catch up and share some professional information and experience. I had a wonderful time as is often the case when I catch up with someone that life's busy-ness keeps me from being in contact with more often. And at the end of our time together, when we were saying our goodbyes, she shared with me that she is subscribed to my blog and encouraged me to post more.
As a result I find myself wanting to write something for this blog during a short break that I have today; I am motivated. My motivation today reminds me of a podcast I listened to yesterday about the power of a compliment and the power of a person paying attention. This podcast (and I hope to perhaps post the link to it soon) pointed out that so many of us who create, be it writing, photography, drawing, painting, pottery, while we are motivated internally by a drive to create are very positively affected by people noticing our work and giving us a compliment.
This got me to thinking. If we are making an effort to live our lives creatively (and by this I don't necessarily mean artistically, but also the simple act of creatively living our lives) won't we be similarly encouraged? Can't we all feel these good feelings I am experiencing by just knowing there is one person out there interested in reading my blog? In short, don't we all thrive on compliments, or even just knowing someone is paying attention to us? I think so.
With this in mind, what would happen if we attempted to ripple a wave of compliments through the world? A kind of "paying it forward" of compliments.
So here is a challenge for you that might read this post: Try, at least once a day, to notice what someone in your environment is doing or creating that has a positive intent or positive outcome, and let them know you have noticed. Perhaps even offer them a compliment. You might just have made someone's day.
My best,
Brian
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Best of Intentions.
I started this blog with the best on intentions: I would finally pursue writing on a regular basis (something I have long dreamed of doing), I would inform, enrich, and entertain readers (hopefully), and I would learn a lot about myself in the process. This effort of writing would force a reflective process. I feel I have managed perhaps one out of three so far.
What I have noticed has been fascinating; despite my best efforts I have not been able to sit down and write in the manner I had planned. Given the busyness of running a practice, raising a family, maintaining relationships, studying my craft, eating, sleeping, and doing chores I have discovered that there is not much time for anything else. Then I discovered that worrying about not getting my blog written was creeping into my life and causing stress.
Not long ago I had watched a video on the internet of a speech Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the popular novel "Eat, Pray, Love
" gave within the last year in which she explains that a writer,s job is to show up for the act of writing. The inspiration, the creativity, will show up and make itself know when it is good and ready and it is not the writer's job to worry about that. The writer is to show up to write. Boy, that takes a lot of pressure off, which is exactly what Ms. Gilbert wants given that she has to follow on the outrageous success of "Eat, Pray, Love." ( You can view the video here. )
Now, I get that creativity arises within the artist of it's own accord, but how does that work when I cannot even find the time to write? Well, that leads me to an axiom I often respect and encourage clients to be mindfull of, especially in relationships; "Is it given?"
Stopping and thinking whether time for writing has been given in my life has allowed a pause, a reflection. At this point it does not seem to be given, at least not yet. But it is useful to look at what IS given: meaningful work, family, friends, relationships. And in stopping to notice and accept what is given comes a sense of peace, of contentment.
I have often felt that courageously turning to acknowledge what is given in our lives is the spark that can ignite the creative spirit within us. And in doing so we can come to live our lives more creatively; to make our lives the canvas and to paint on it liberally.
Thank you for sticking with me during my dry spells. It seems it is part of the process for me to come to a life lived creatively.
As always I appreciate your comments. Also please feel free to visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com
My best during this holiday season,
Brian
What I have noticed has been fascinating; despite my best efforts I have not been able to sit down and write in the manner I had planned. Given the busyness of running a practice, raising a family, maintaining relationships, studying my craft, eating, sleeping, and doing chores I have discovered that there is not much time for anything else. Then I discovered that worrying about not getting my blog written was creeping into my life and causing stress.
Not long ago I had watched a video on the internet of a speech Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the popular novel "Eat, Pray, Love
" gave within the last year in which she explains that a writer,s job is to show up for the act of writing. The inspiration, the creativity, will show up and make itself know when it is good and ready and it is not the writer's job to worry about that. The writer is to show up to write. Boy, that takes a lot of pressure off, which is exactly what Ms. Gilbert wants given that she has to follow on the outrageous success of "Eat, Pray, Love." ( You can view the video here. )Now, I get that creativity arises within the artist of it's own accord, but how does that work when I cannot even find the time to write? Well, that leads me to an axiom I often respect and encourage clients to be mindfull of, especially in relationships; "Is it given?"
Stopping and thinking whether time for writing has been given in my life has allowed a pause, a reflection. At this point it does not seem to be given, at least not yet. But it is useful to look at what IS given: meaningful work, family, friends, relationships. And in stopping to notice and accept what is given comes a sense of peace, of contentment.
I have often felt that courageously turning to acknowledge what is given in our lives is the spark that can ignite the creative spirit within us. And in doing so we can come to live our lives more creatively; to make our lives the canvas and to paint on it liberally.
Thank you for sticking with me during my dry spells. It seems it is part of the process for me to come to a life lived creatively.
As always I appreciate your comments. Also please feel free to visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com
My best during this holiday season,
Brian
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Motivation and Alternatives
There is a conundrum I have slowly been realizing that I'm facing; I am forever interested in new things, ideas, learning opprtunities, growth opportunities, books, movies, friends, etc. I suppose I am not that different from many people, including those of you that read this blog. We all are interested in a variety of subjects and experiences and make time in our day to seek them out. The challenge is that the days do not expand to meet the time requirements involved in maintaining these interests.
This blog is a good example. I started it with high motivation and excitement (funny how those two often pair up together) and now I'm faced with the reality of actually having to do the work without the expanded hours in a day or week to get it done. A conundrum.
This leads me to realizing (again) an existential truth and having to accept it: alternatives exclude. This is a phrase I first read when reading the work of Psychiatrist Irvin Yalom some years ago. It has stuck with me ever since. This phrase tells me that choices are exclusionary, and in order to make a choice we have to be willing to give up the other possibility (that which we don't choose.) We have to be willing to give up what making a choice automatically excludes.
Sometimes it's not difficult to do, like choosing to go uptown or downtown. Or choosing to have Thai food or Chinese food for lunch. Choosing to go uptown naturally excludes going downtown at this time. Likewise, choosing to have Thai food for lunch naturally excludes having Chinese for lunch. Other times having to make a choice can be paralyzing, like having to choose which pet to give up because the landlord only allows one per apartment or choosing which person to date. Such difficult choices can squash motivation, the very energy that helps us move forward in life.
So it can be important to notice and be aware not just what we are choosing, but also what we are giving up as well. We have to be alright with both; we have to be willing to accept both lest we be stymied into inaction which, in itself, is also a choice.
As always, I appreciate your comments. Please check out my website at www.koipondcounseling.com.
My best,
Brian
This blog is a good example. I started it with high motivation and excitement (funny how those two often pair up together) and now I'm faced with the reality of actually having to do the work without the expanded hours in a day or week to get it done. A conundrum.
This leads me to realizing (again) an existential truth and having to accept it: alternatives exclude. This is a phrase I first read when reading the work of Psychiatrist Irvin Yalom some years ago. It has stuck with me ever since. This phrase tells me that choices are exclusionary, and in order to make a choice we have to be willing to give up the other possibility (that which we don't choose.) We have to be willing to give up what making a choice automatically excludes.
Sometimes it's not difficult to do, like choosing to go uptown or downtown. Or choosing to have Thai food or Chinese food for lunch. Choosing to go uptown naturally excludes going downtown at this time. Likewise, choosing to have Thai food for lunch naturally excludes having Chinese for lunch. Other times having to make a choice can be paralyzing, like having to choose which pet to give up because the landlord only allows one per apartment or choosing which person to date. Such difficult choices can squash motivation, the very energy that helps us move forward in life.
So it can be important to notice and be aware not just what we are choosing, but also what we are giving up as well. We have to be alright with both; we have to be willing to accept both lest we be stymied into inaction which, in itself, is also a choice.
As always, I appreciate your comments. Please check out my website at www.koipondcounseling.com.
My best,
Brian
Friday, September 25, 2009
Testing
I am currently testing a blog app on my iPhone that I hope will allow me to post a bit more frequently than I currently do. I, like many, find myself full of ideas but challenged with limited time in which to write, so maybe this will help.
If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch and are interested in this app, just go to the app store and search for "BlogWriter." I an currently testing the Lite version as it is free.
This app is also an RSS reader so if you subscribe to any blogs you can enter them in the app and read them all in one convenient place. If interested, I would love it if you subscribed to this blog, either by RSS feed or through blogger.com.
As always I appreciate any feedback and invite you to visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com.
My best,
Brian
If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch and are interested in this app, just go to the app store and search for "BlogWriter." I an currently testing the Lite version as it is free.
This app is also an RSS reader so if you subscribe to any blogs you can enter them in the app and read them all in one convenient place. If interested, I would love it if you subscribed to this blog, either by RSS feed or through blogger.com.
As always I appreciate any feedback and invite you to visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com.
My best,
Brian
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Choice of Love
I recently watched a movie entitled "Paris, Je T'aime
" (Paris, I love
you) in which 20 different directors directed 20 short films based in Paris and all dealing with the central theme of love, in all of its guises. I found it an interesting movie cinematographically and began to have fun as the movie progressed trying to discover what aspect of love each director was attempting to depict.
I was often moved by what turned out to be very intimate snapshots of people's lives that left me feeling what the directors were attempting to convey. During one particular story I was struck by an aspect of love that often does not get mentioned in popular media or entertainment; that of love as a choice. In the short film a man who has decided to end his marriage to his wife in favor of another discovers that his wife is terminally ill. On the spot he changes his mind, breaks up with the mistress, and dedicates himself to caring for, and loving his wife. In doing so he transforms himself from a man pretending to be in love to a man in love and it alters him forever.
This story depicted well for me that aspect of love that is a choice; that aspect that concerns open-eyed acceptance of our partner, not the blind infatuation that popular culture would have us believe is love. This aspect of love derives itself from something much deeper and more powerful than romantic love, but it appears to lack the bells and whistles of its counterpart.
This aspect of love also brings to mind the power of acting “as if.” In acting “as if” he were in love, he managed to fall in love. It’s a strong statement. If we wake up in the morning and treat others in our lives “as if” we care about them, we can transform ourselves into actually caring. There is something in pretending that touches the actual emotions inside each of us and helps its expression.
We are each challenged in our personal relationships to maintain good feelings toward others. Some people are easy to have these feelings toward; others may not be, but the relationships may be important just the same. Perhaps sometimes we can attempt to behave “as if” for a time and see if something changes.
As always, I appreciate any comments or feedback and hope you have found this blog post helpful and meaningful. Please also visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com
My best,
Brian
" (Paris, I loveyou) in which 20 different directors directed 20 short films based in Paris and all dealing with the central theme of love, in all of its guises. I found it an interesting movie cinematographically and began to have fun as the movie progressed trying to discover what aspect of love each director was attempting to depict.
I was often moved by what turned out to be very intimate snapshots of people's lives that left me feeling what the directors were attempting to convey. During one particular story I was struck by an aspect of love that often does not get mentioned in popular media or entertainment; that of love as a choice. In the short film a man who has decided to end his marriage to his wife in favor of another discovers that his wife is terminally ill. On the spot he changes his mind, breaks up with the mistress, and dedicates himself to caring for, and loving his wife. In doing so he transforms himself from a man pretending to be in love to a man in love and it alters him forever.
This story depicted well for me that aspect of love that is a choice; that aspect that concerns open-eyed acceptance of our partner, not the blind infatuation that popular culture would have us believe is love. This aspect of love derives itself from something much deeper and more powerful than romantic love, but it appears to lack the bells and whistles of its counterpart.
This aspect of love also brings to mind the power of acting “as if.” In acting “as if” he were in love, he managed to fall in love. It’s a strong statement. If we wake up in the morning and treat others in our lives “as if” we care about them, we can transform ourselves into actually caring. There is something in pretending that touches the actual emotions inside each of us and helps its expression.
We are each challenged in our personal relationships to maintain good feelings toward others. Some people are easy to have these feelings toward; others may not be, but the relationships may be important just the same. Perhaps sometimes we can attempt to behave “as if” for a time and see if something changes.
As always, I appreciate any comments or feedback and hope you have found this blog post helpful and meaningful. Please also visit my website at www.koipondcounseling.com
My best,
Brian
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