{"id":112255,"date":"2018-09-02T15:41:37","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T22:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=112255"},"modified":"2018-09-02T15:48:08","modified_gmt":"2018-09-02T22:48:08","slug":"create-your-own-happiness-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/02\/create-your-own-happiness-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Your Own Happiness Today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I met a guy named Ryan at &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Backyard+Brew\/@37.426086,-122.1476737,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x808fbae5f04e53b5:0xf4690d0c7eeec7f6!8m2!3d37.426086!4d-122.145485\">Backyard Brew<\/a>&#8216; in Palo Alto, and was super inspired by him &#8212; he taught me this concept of the &#8216;straight line&#8217;: directly do what you want to do, without getting distracted by money or other kinks in the link.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>Direct line to happiness<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112216\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/vsco\/processed-with-vsco-with-a6-preset-852\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4032,3024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.7&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G935T&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCO with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1535732208&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.2&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCO with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Processed with VSCO with a6 preset\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750\" alt=\"Cindy project stanford art\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?resize=830%2C623&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?w=3540&amp;ssl=1 3540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For example, let us use the analogy of happiness.<\/p>\n<p>Many of us trade our time, life, and human metabolism for money. Then we use that money to &#8216;buy&#8217; our happiness.<\/p>\n<p>But a more effective &#8216;straight line&#8217; philosophy is:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Know what makes you happy, and go directly to it.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112182\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/vsco\/processed-with-vsco-with-a6-preset-834\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?fit=4160%2C2340&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4160,2340\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;LG-H872&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCO with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1535536374&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;2.04&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00049578582052553&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCO with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Processed with VSCO with a6 preset\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1-1000x563.jpg?resize=1000%2C563\" alt=\"silhouette child playground\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?resize=830%2C467&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2018-08-31-09.44.09-1.jpg?w=3540&amp;ssl=1 3540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For example, let us say that you&#8217;re happiest when making photos. It doesn&#8217;t make sense for you to put in extra hours at work, to earn more money, to buy new camera gear, to buy new cameras. Your line is very long, like:<\/p>\n<p>[A]&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;->[B]<\/p>\n<p>More effective is to just use the camera you <em>already<\/em> own, and take photos with it, even though the image quality may not be great:<\/p>\n<p>[A]&#8212;&#8211;>[B]<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>What do you really want to do with your life (not money-related)<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112123\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/portfolio-2018\/umma-mom-eric-kim3-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?fit=1358%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1358,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"UMMA &amp;#8211; MOM &amp;#8211; ERIC KIM3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?fit=1326%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3-1000x1508.jpg?resize=1000%2C1508\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1508\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?resize=1000%2C1508&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?resize=768%2C1158&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?resize=1326%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1326w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?resize=830%2C1252&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/UMMA-MOM-ERIC-KIM3.jpg?w=1358&amp;ssl=1 1358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So this is an interesting philosophy in life, because most of us never reflect and ask ourselves:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  What do I really desire to achieve, create, or do in life?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>We get suckered and distracted to thinking that the point of life is to accrue money, and <em>THEN<\/em> use that money to somehow empower us to be happy and do what we want to do.<\/p>\n<h2>Create your happiness today<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112107\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/portfolio-2018\/hanoi-street-photography-eric-kim14-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1485772219&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"HANOI STREET PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC KIM14\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14-1000x1510.jpg?resize=1000%2C1510\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1510\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?resize=1000%2C1510&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?resize=830%2C1253&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANOI-STREET-PHOTOGRAPHY-ERIC-KIM14.jpg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The simple solution:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Identify what makes you happy, and do that directly&#8211; today.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112122\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/portfolio-2018\/suits-by-eric-kim12-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1475774479&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"SUITS BY ERIC KIM12\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-1000x663.jpg?resize=1000%2C663\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"663\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?resize=1000%2C663&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12-scaled.jpg?resize=830%2C550&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12.jpg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM12.jpg?w=3540&amp;ssl=1 3540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For example, creating stuff is what makes me happiest. Thus, instead of me trying to earn more money to find more peace\/zen\/comfort <em>in order to create<\/em>, I just use my day (today) to create something. I often make excuses that I don&#8217;t have good enough technology, tools, or devices. But in reality, <strong>it is best to use your &#8220;shitty&#8221; devices\/tools\/cameras to create stuff, than to try to accrue money to buy better cameras\/devices\/tools to make stuff.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"112119\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/portfolio-2018\/suits-by-eric-kim10-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"SUITS BY ERIC KIM10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10-1000x663.jpg?resize=1000%2C663\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"663\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-112119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?resize=1000%2C663&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?resize=830%2C550&amp;ssl=1 830w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/SUITS-BY-ERIC-KIM10.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So friend, what makes you happy? Don&#8217;t add any kinks to your direct link to happiness; create your own happiness now; today!<\/p>\n<p>BE BRAZEN,<br \/>\nERIC<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/philosophy\/\">Philosophy<\/a><\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/product\/zen-of-eric\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"101686\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/08\/youre-successful-once-people-start-hating-on-you\/zenofericcover\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?fit=1275%2C2061&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1275,2061\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"zenofericcover\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?fit=1237%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-101686 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=1180%2C1907\" alt=\"\" width=\"1180\" height=\"1907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?w=1275&amp;ssl=1 1275w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=768%2C1241&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=1237%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=830%2C1342&amp;ssl=1 830w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dictate your meaning and purpose in your life with <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/product\/zen-of-eric\/\">ZEN OF ERIC<\/a>:<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Philosophy Essays<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/30\/desire-both-pleasure-and-pain-in-life\/\">Desire Both Pain and Pleasure in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/27\/try-the-impossible\/\">Try the Impossible<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/19\/self-respect\/\">SELF-RESPECT<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/17\/anti-social-extrovert\/\">Anti-Social Extrovert<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/16\/never-blame-anybody-but-yourself\/\">Never Blame Anybody But Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/08\/human-flourishing\/\">Human Flourishing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/02\/simpler-not-better\/\">Simpler, Not Better.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/01\/how-to-be-free\/\">How to be Free<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/24\/embrace-the-extremes-philosophy\/\">Embrace the Extremes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/13\/cultivate-your-own-culture\/\">Cultivate Your Own Culture<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/12\/courage\/\">COURAGE.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/11\/thrivival\/\">Thrivival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/03\/inner-power\/\">Inner Power<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/01\/how-to-live-a-purposeful-life\/\">How to Live a Purposeful Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/29\/my-definition-of-happiness\/\">My Definition of Happiness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/26\/change-is-good-philosophy\/\">Why Change is Good<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/Why-work\/\">Why Work?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/19\/96663\/\">How to Live the Happiest Possible Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/16\/the-two-pronged-approach-to-maximize-joy-in-your-life\/\">The Two-Pronged Approach to Maximize Joy in Your Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/13\/you-always-have-another-option\/\">You Always Have Another Option!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/11\/infinitism\/\">INFINITISM<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/11\/never-stop\/\">Never Stop!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/09\/what-is-your-self-directed-purpose-in-life\/\">What is Your Self-Directed Purpose in Life?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/06\/live-today-like-it-were-your-last\/\">Live Today Like it Were Your Last<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/04\/do-you-photograph-to-live-or-live-to-photograph\/\">Do You Photograph to Live, or Live to Photograph?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/18\/artist-philosopher\/\">ARTIST-PHILOSOPHER<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/27\/live-life-to-the-fullest\/\">Live Life to the Fullest!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/16\/in-praise-of-selfishness\/\">In Praise of Selfishness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/15\/why-you-must-be-a-yay-sayer-to-succeed-in-entrepreneurship-and-life\/\">Why You Must Be a YAY-SAYER to Succeed in Entrepreneurship and Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/12\/why-i-love-walking\/\">Why I Love Walking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/11\/live-life-like-a-video-game\/\">Live Life Like a Video Game!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/08\/simple-luxuries-in-life\/\">Simple Luxuries in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/04\/treat-your-life-like-a-fun-experiment\/\">Treat Your Life Like a Fun Experiment!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/02\/only-prove-it-to-yourself\/\">Only Prove it to Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/23\/you-dont-always-need-to-feel-joyful-to-live-a-fulfilling-and-meaningful-life\/\">You Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Always Need to Feel Joyful to Live a Fulfilling and Meaningful Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/21\/life-is-too-short-to-be-bored\/\">Life is Too Short to Be Bored!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/15\/money-cannot-destroy-boredom\/\">Money Cannot Destroy Boredom<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/11\/how-to-find-inspiration-in-life\/\">How to Find Inspiration in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/07\/why-you-must-ignore-haters-to-succeed-and-win-in-life\/\">Why You Must Ignore Haters to Succeed and Win in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/05\/an-active-life-is-a-happy-life\/\">An Active Life is a Happy Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/23\/my-simple-joys-in-life\/\">My Simple Joys in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/18\/never-stop-striving\/\">Never Stop Striving<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/11\/how-to-motivate-yourself-in-life\/\">How to Motivate Yourself in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/08\/how-to-be-optimistic-in-life\/\">How to Be Optimistic in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/07\/how-to-dictate-your-purpose-in-life\/\">How to Dictate Your Purpose in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/06\/in-praise-of-a-dynamic-life\/\">In Praise of a Dynamic Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/27\/purpose\/\">PURPOSE.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/16\/how-to-enjoy-life\/\">How to Enjoy Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/12\/photography-therapy\/\">Photography Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/28\/how-to-conquer-regret\/\">How to Conquer Regret<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/03\/take-your-play-very-seriously\/\">Take Your Play Very Seriously.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/28\/how-to-prosper\/\">How to Prosper<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/26\/memento-vivere\/\">Memento Vivere<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/destroy-in-order-to-create\/\">Destroy in Order to CREATE<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/trust-your-body-more-than-your-mind\/\">Trust Your Body More Than Your Mind<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/06\/make-photos-to-make-meaning-in-your-life\/\">Make Photos to Make Meaning in Your Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/06\/seek-knowledge-not-information\/\">Seek Knowledge, Not Information<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/03\/the-purpose-of-human-life\/\">The Purpose of Human Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/30\/how-to-overcome-impedence\/\">How to Overcome Impedence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/25\/why-i-love-death\/\">Why I Love Death<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/23\/how-to-stay-centered-in-the-eternal-now\/\">How to Be Centered in the Eternal Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/14\/how-to-be-happy\/\">How to Be Happy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/13\/why-do-you-care-what-others-think-of-you\/\">Why Do You Care What Others Think of You?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/11\/why-im-happy\/\">Why I&#8217;m Happy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/10\/why\/\">Why?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/05\/why-im-so-prolific\/\">Why I&#8217;m So Prolific<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/12\/how-to-reduce-lag-in-life\/\">How to Reduce LAG in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/masters-of-philosophy\/\">Masters of Philosophy\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/seneca\/\">Seneca<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/marcus-aurelius\/\">Marcus Aurelius<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/publilius-syrus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Publilius Syrus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/personal-philosophy\/\">Personal Philosophy\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/you-are-the-light-of-the-world\/\">You Are the Light of the World<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/your-soul-is-a-diamond-in-the-rough\/\">Your Soul is a Diamond in the Rough<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/why-live\/\">Why Live?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/stoicism\/\">Stoicism\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/stoic-street-photographer\/\">How to Be a Stoic Street Photographer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/how-to-use-photography-as-self-therapy\/\">How to Use Photography as Self-Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/free-soul-disturbance\/\">How to Free Your Soul From Disturbance<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/zen\/\">Zen Philosophy \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/zen-street-photographer\/\">How to Be a Zen Street Photographer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/10\/free-e-book-zen-in-the-art-of-street-photography\/\">Zen in the Art of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/27\/how-to-find-tranquility-in-your-photography\/\">How to Find Tranquility in Your Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/life\/\">Life Lessons\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/how-to-conquer-your-fears-in-life\/\">How to Conquer Your Fears in Life<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/conquer-yourself\/\">Conquer Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/focus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Focus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/start-here\/\"><strong>Start Here &gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I met a guy named Ryan at &#8216;Backyard Brew&#8216; in Palo Alto, and was super inspired by him &#8212; he taught me this concept of the &#8216;straight line&#8217;: directly do what you want to \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":112216,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2018-09-01-07.09.23-1.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112255"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112261,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112255\/revisions\/112261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}