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Why Live?

eric kim street photography hanoi-0005665
Hanoi, 2017

Why wake up in the morning, and live our lives?

I had this thought when walking Cindy to her archive here in Hanoi.

At first, I thought about writing on how to live. But better yet— we should ask ourselves, why should we live?

Why do I live?

bac ha - eric kim photography
Bac Ha, 2017

The basic answer for myself is that I live in order to help others. To serve others. To uplift, motivate, encourage, and empower others. I just need a little food and coffee to keep me alive. But the rest of my mental energy and resources are dedicated to creating information, or improving information, to help serve humanity.

To be human is to help other humans

eric kim street photography hanoi-0005586
Hanoi, 2017

I think as human beings, we have the most purpose and direction in our life when we are helping others. This is what keeps us grounded and helps us wake up in the morning.

I know some people in their 90’s — and the reason they wake up is that they have a social goal, task, or job. They never retire. Even if they retire from their normal job, they end up volunteering at a local community center, are active at their local church, or perhaps start some new career.

Everyone has a different reason for living and waking up in the morning. Perhaps to work, perhaps to take care of their kids, or perhaps to seek inner-peace (in hope of helping others).

Why?

eric kim street photography -sapa-0006078
Sapa, 2017

What compels you to live? What compels you to click the shutter? What compels you to be an artist? What compels you to take your work to the next level?

I also feel that a lot of us are seeking inner-growth. Because it helps motivate us. But ultimately, I think that all inner-growth and development should be directed towards helping the common good. To helping humanity. To living a life of service. To fulfilling our duty to others.

What is the purpose of your life?

eric kim street photography -sapa-0006313
Sapa, 2017

So why do you live? Why do you set your alarm in the morning, roll out of bed, and have a coffee in the morning? What higher purpose do you feel you have in life?

There are no right or wrongs. But just meditate on this thought each day, and you will always have a reason to wake up.

Be strong,
Eric

Learn more: Philosophy >

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HENRI NECK STRAP MARK III

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HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

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Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

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HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

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Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

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Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

STREET NOTES

The original and true STREET NOTES >


FILM NOTES

Take it back to the old school >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


STREET HUNT

Never stop hunting >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

HAPTIC MAG

Read our HAPTIC MAGAZINE: Issue 1 “Our Story” >

HAPTIC makes creative tools to empower visual artists. From educational tools, art platforms, to camera equipment, HAPTIC is driven by a spirit of experimentation and creative collaboration. We are a majority women led, family operated industry, and have great pride in everything we make.

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HAPTIC

HAPTIC MISSION: We believe in disrupting the production market for photography, art, and creative tools. We are transparent about the labor practices behind HAPTIC because we are proud and love everything we make. We support honest and beautiful work with respectful wages to our artists, artisans, and collaborators.

We are not anonymous. Our products are a story. HAPTIC products are printed, prepared, shipped from California with creative collaborators from Saigon.

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