The key to happiness is FREEDOM.

1. Freedom above all

To me, I think the secret to happiness is freedom.

We all think we want money. But what we really want is freedom. Freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want.

My buddy (Cynic/Stoic philosopher Diogenes) when asked, ‘What is the greatest good?’ he answered:

Freedom of speech is the greatest good.

This is why I am unapologetically-pro American. We are (as far as I know) one of the only few countries that really tries to promote freedom of speech. This is why I would never live in Singapore or Vietnam long-term.

2. If I were rich, would I have freedom?

Many of us think that money equals freedom. But it doesn’t.

You can be a billionaire slave.

Consider this rule-of-thumb (heuristic) by Nassim Taleb:

You know whether you are free or not if you can take a nap whenever you want.

If you are a billionaire but cannot take a nap whenever you want — you are not free.

3. The ultimate freedom: the freedom to create art

I also think the beauty of freedom is to have the freedom over your time— to express your creative soul through making art.

My buddy Nietzsche taught me:

The principal metaphysical activity in life is art.

Which means, to find more happiness and purpose in life — make more art.

Art is anything and everything.

You can make art by making photos. You can make art through sculpture, painting, drawing, dancing, singing, or making music.

Don’t listen to snobby ‘art critics’ (who actually never create their own art, but they like to criticize other artists). Be like a big-ass kid. To a child, the entire world is your canvas — and they have a dripping paint brush, ready to paint the world to their heart’s content. In-fact, ‘photography’ just means ‘painting with light.’

4. Happiness means ‘human flourishing’ in Greek.

Let us not even use the word ‘happiness’ — let us use the Greek definition for happiness:

Human flourishing.

To flourish as a human being means to create. To generate ideas. To generate art.

The opposite of an artist is a ‘degenerate.’ Someone who is self-centered, and all they do is subdue themselves through mindless entertainment, through getting fucked up with alcohol and drugs, and by not creating anything useful or inspirational for others.

He who lives for himself is truly dead to others.

5. How to creatively flourish as an artist

The answer to being ‘happy’ or to creatively flourish in life is easy:

a. Don’t censor yourself

Make sure to be 1 human being. Don’t be two-faced (like Harvey Dent from Batman).

For example, if you curse with your buddies over a few drinks — make sure to do the same when you are with your mom.

For example, as an artist, you cannot compromise. You need to say and create the art you really believe in.

For example, for a long time I gave way too many fucks about what others thought of me. In real life, I curse a lot. And I am not politically correct (PC) in real life.

So to be a true human being— I needed to be 1 person. To be ‘Eric Kim’ online, and the same ‘Eric Kim’ offline (in real life).

So as a rule, just ask yourself:

Do I act like the same person behind closed doors, and the same way online?

b. Create 100% genuine art.

Art is expressing your opinion. Art is not censoring yourself, and certainly not compromising.

If you compromise in your art, you are not an artist. Rather, you are a compromiser.

You might need to compromise in things in life like working a 9-5 job you hate, in order to pay the bills. I think that is totally cool.

But if you are making above $40,000 a year (as an American) — make sure all your art made in your free time doesn’t reek of compromise.

To compromise in art means to make photos and share photos that you think others will like, and will net you a lot of likes and followers, rather than sharing photos or art that you like.

As a rule, before I share any photos or art, I ask myself;

Do I like my own photo?

If the answer is ‘no’ — why bother sharing it? You cannot fake passion or enthusiasm. And if you don’t believe in your own art, why do you care what others think?

c. Have faith in yourself

Have faith in yourself. I believe in you. Why don’t you believe in yourself?

Don’t fear death. Rather, always remind yourself: you need very little to be alive. You can feed yourself on $1 a day (Elon Musk fed himself on $1 a day on spaghetti and hot dogs when he started his company with his brother). Elon Musk also slept in his rented office, which didn’t even have a shower (they didn’t have an apartment). They showered at the local gym. So if Elon can do it super poor and scrappy — what excuse do we have?

Everyday hustle like it were your last, and make a little piece of art everyday.

Unlock your inner-genius and child, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun, and create with a grateful heart, and share a piece of your soul with others.

Be strong,
Eric

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