Dear friend,

If you ever second-guess yourself into paralysis, this letter is for you.

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Why I don’t believe in heaven

Primo, life is short. Why live a boring life? This life is uncertain, we might die tomorrow. Being alive is a blessing. Who knows if there is an afterlife. To me, I don’t believe I will live in a heaven after death. I believe in heaven on earth (as Jesus said).

The kingdom of God is already within you.

The “Kingdom of God” to me, is greatness. Of pure light. Of joy, happiness, and dopeness you can share with others.

What is the purpose of life?

For me, the purpose of life is to empower others. And of course, you cannot empower others unless you empower yourself.

Why do you second-guess yourself?

Anyways, second-guessing ourselves is a signal of our lack of a steel spine. To second-guess ourselves means we don’t really believe in what we believe.

Of course don’t just invest 100% in penny stocks. But, when it comes to your art and creativity, make more risks. Big risks. Try shit that might piss people off. Follow your own gut.

For example, I’ve been experimenting with all this weird sketching on my iPad. I have been exploring of things outside of photography, namely design. I’ve been studying ISSEY MIYAKE FASHION, watch design, car design, and animal anatomy. It’s all my creative fuel, and let’s say that my Lamborghini Huracan is thirsty.

Know your maximum downside

Don’t take risks that might kill you. Don’t text and drive, or sky dive. Don’t mix heroin and alcohol.

But with art, your maximum downside is the following:

1. People will ignore you
2. People will unfollow you on social media
3. People will vocally say that your work is shit and overrated

That’s really not a big deal. How can random comments online, or digital data (comments are just binary data, 1s and 0s) hurt you?

My suggestion:

Always protect yourself against physical danger, but never “mental” or artistic danger.

Live more bravely

To be a great artist is to just take more risks. To be more BRAVE. To make art that might piss people off.

All great artists have been controversial and pissed people off. Picasso, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, etc.

Consider great folks of history who were dissidents. Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Jesus, Socrates.

Or folks who have “skin in the game” like Nassim Taleb, Peter Thiel, or anyone who exposes themselves to possible downside, for the benefit of others.

This is a real hero: Batman (Bruce Wayne), who seeks to protect Gotham City, yet is hated for it.

MEMENTO MORI

Consider yourself 90 years old and on your death bed.

What kind of regrets would you have not doing in life?

Some possible regrets:

1. Not starting your own business.
2. Not asking that one person to marry you, or at least on a date.
3. Not being as vigorous, aggressive, or innovative in your art.
4. Starting your own website, and publishing your own ideas on your own platform.
5. Not writing a memoir, a book on your life, or having an exhibition of your work.

Start working on your dreams today.

Avoid regrets in life: one of the best ways to live.

BE STRONG,
ERIC

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