Whenever us creative types get together, or–come to think of it–even when we’re alone, it’s usually all about “me”, “my”, or “we” or “I”. What is MY next gig, what am I doing to improve MY portfolio, MY solo exhibition, MY client list, MY ad campaign, MY blog, MY bank account, gear locker, self-promo mailer, vision… You get the point. Don’t deny it.
As a result, we can be overly paranoid, competitive, frustrated, cocky, going for broke, indulgent, critical, self-absorbed, self-loathing, self aggrandizing and overly analytical. We spend a lot of time living in our own heads.
But the truth is, we’re way better creatives when we’re better people. Better to ourselves, better to others, better to the world.
I just bumped into a close friend on the way back from my morning coffee. He shook my tree a little bit and told me a quick story in realizing this about himself. The story ended with his re-framing his self-focus into a simple plan to motivate a change. At the wrap up of each day he’s asking himself “what are 3 things I did to make somebody else’s life better today?”
I like that. Perhaps you should too.
My mother raised me with The Golden Rule–do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So simple. I take it to the simply courtesy level of holding a door for someone/anyone. Their smile and often a simple Thanks always makes my day!
So true ! I completly agree 🙂
Agreed. Something we should be asking ourselves more often.
A quick story from the other day that i think displys the nature of giving back and how it can cause others to do the same.
I went to get my haircut and upon leaving I saw a man with a sign stating he was homeless because of the economy and he worked for 30 years to provide for his family and he needed help. He was waiting by the stop light as you exit the parking lot. I saw a row of cars infront of me not really paying any attention to the guy. He wasnt coming up to people’s windows or being aggressive or anything. As i approached i though to myself he I am in a nice car just got my haircut cleaned my car at the car wash just an hour before and he is this guy down on his luck. I felt bad so i put down my window and gave the guy a few dollars. The look on his face of genuine appreciation made me feel good. As i was leaving i looked at the cars behind me and noticed that the next car gave him money and the next and the next.
Just one act of kindness i believe caused a chain reaction to the people behind me. I did not see anyone in the line before me give him anything at the time i was in the line.
Moral of the story kindness is addicting when someone see’s you being kind they want to do the same. I didn’t improve three people’s life but i may have caused three people to help one person’s life. Felt good. Nice pose Chaser.
Did they ever get the Hopper photo back?