{"id":45108,"date":"2017-03-30T08:10:47","date_gmt":"2017-03-30T15:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=45108"},"modified":"2017-03-30T08:12:20","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T15:12:20","slug":"meditations-by-eric-kim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/30\/meditations-by-eric-kim\/","title":{"rendered":"Meditations by Eric Kim"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"45074\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/30\/meditations-by-eric-kim\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" 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;1490825150&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cindy project &amp;#8211; eric kim black and white photography hanoi &amp;#8211; monochrome &amp;#8211; ricoh gr ii &amp;#8211; 28mm-0010628-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?fit=800%2C530&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-45074\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\" alt=\"cindy project - eric kim black and white photography hanoi - monochrome - ricoh gr ii - 28mm-0010628-3\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?resize=800%2C530&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Personal meditations, on my life philosophy.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>This is a personal diary to myself. I hope you find a few ideas that can benefit you:<\/p>\n<h2>1. Reach for the best within yourself<\/h2>\n<p>Discover your inner-treasure; the best within you.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Be blood<\/h2>\n<p>Blood gives life; create value for society.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consult others before acting<\/h2>\n<h2>4. Help others fulfill their potential<\/h2>\n<h2>5. Avoid boredom in life<\/h2>\n<h2>6. Give your abundance to others<\/h2>\n<h2>7. Figure out why you exist<\/h2>\n<h2>8. Never stop challenging yourself<\/h2>\n<p>Feel excitement in solving problems, the delight of taking up new challenges, and to test yourself further.<\/p>\n<p>Keep growing your own abilities.<\/p>\n<p>Increase your 1-rep max.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Help yourself before helping others<\/h2>\n<p>Provide your basic needs and help your family \u00e2\u20ac\u201d then seek to help others.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Figure out your purpose in life<\/h2>\n<h2>11. Joy is creation<\/h2>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHappiness\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 not as a feeling \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but the <em>act<\/em> of creating. To fully-express your own creative greatness.<\/p>\n<p>Joy is the fuel that will continue you to be creative.<\/p>\n<h2>12. Never stop offering<\/h2>\n<p>Keep doing good deeds for others; creating empowering things for others, and empowering others.<\/p>\n<h2>13. Be a hero<\/h2>\n<p>Watch superhero films \u00e2\u20ac\u201d do you see how the heroes act? Be a hero.<\/p>\n<p>What does a hero do; and what does a hero <em>not<\/em> do?<\/p>\n<p>A hero sacrifices himself for others; and has a sacred duty to humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>14. Enrich the lives of others<\/h2>\n<p>Help others live more fully<\/p>\n<h2>15. Reward people for merit<\/h2>\n<p>Give rewards for merit; not to just give kids trophies for the sake of their \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcego.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n<h2>16. Be a person of action<\/h2>\n<p>Speak less; act more.<\/p>\n<h2>17. Avoid animal-like pleasures<\/h2>\n<p>Pleasure is just a feeling of endorphins and dopamine hitting my brain. What is the difference between a wolf howling at the moon, and me enjoying looking at an expensive car?<\/p>\n<p>What is the difference between my sexual pleasures, and the sexual pleasures of any other animal?<\/p>\n<p>No matter how much delicious food I eat; it will all exit my body the same way.<\/p>\n<p>Why does it matter that my food is super-exotic? I eat to life; I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live to eat.<\/p>\n<h2>18. Have a few quality products<\/h2>\n<p>Have a few quality products in my life. Not the most expensive; and not to hoard stuff.<\/p>\n<p>To be satisfied with basic outfit \u00e2\u20ac\u201d black is the best color.<\/p>\n<p>To not skimp on tools for creation. No guilt for spending a lot of money on a laptop, or any other creative tool.<\/p>\n<p>To use the tools I prefer, and are actually the most useful \u00e2\u20ac\u201d not because prestige, or what others say.<\/p>\n<p>To see the intrinsic quality in something; to disregard brand-names. To better yet\u00e2\u20ac\u201d strip away brand names (or cover them with black tape). Not to be a brand-slave.<\/p>\n<p>Also to make my own stuff. My own camera strap, my own camera bag, backpack, products, etc.<\/p>\n<h2>19. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be so humble<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t brag or show off; but to know my own inner-greatness, and magnanimity.<\/p>\n<h2>20. Ignore others<\/h2>\n<p>To care about my loved ones; but to ignore almost everybody else.<\/p>\n<h2>21. Infinite<\/h2>\n<p>To know I am infinite. The only thing holding me back is my own drive, hustle, and imagination.<\/p>\n<h2>22. Only do what gives me joy<\/h2>\n<p>To enjoy the thrill and joy of creative creation; everyday.<\/p>\n<p>To never do anything for fame or money; or superficial stuff\u00e2\u20ac\u201d that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring me joy.<\/p>\n<h2>23. Become myself<\/h2>\n<p>Create meaning to my name. To become me; not to inherit me.<\/p>\n<p>To create myself, to design myself, to become the person I envision myself wanting to be.<\/p>\n<h2>24. Avoid boredom<\/h2>\n<p>Avoid boredom like a child.<\/p>\n<h2>25. Be selfish for the greater good<\/h2>\n<p>Be selfish about my creative time and attention \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in order to help the greater good of humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>26. Produce more than I consume<\/h2>\n<p>Less swallowing, more consuming.<\/p>\n<h2>27. Never compare myself with anybody else<\/h2>\n<p>Just \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdo me\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to do my work to the best of my ability; to never compare myself with anyone else. To ignore numbers and social media.<\/p>\n<h2>28. Build my own platform<\/h2>\n<p>Not to invest too much into other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc. To know that I own my own platform (blog) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d which is the best investment. To disregard social media following numbers, and to follow my own gut, and self-assessment of my own progress in life.<\/p>\n<h2>29. Assume I can do anything<\/h2>\n<p>I am never too old or inexperienced to do anything. I can do anything I put my mind to; as long as I want to do it.<\/p>\n<p>Impossible is nothing.<\/p>\n<h2>30. Do it; or don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t discipline myself to do anything. Either do it, or not.<\/p>\n<h2>31. Try it out<\/h2>\n<p>Not sure whether it will work or not?<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s find out.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Or<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s make it\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Or<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  I can do it.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Have pride and belief in myself.<\/p>\n<h2>32. Never enter contests<\/h2>\n<p>Why put my own self-esteem at the hands of others? Be like Spartans\u00e2\u20ac\u201d never play any games where there are clear winners and losers. Real life has no winners or losers.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid sports.<\/p>\n<h2>33. Increase the inheritance I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been given<\/h2>\n<p>Follow the parable of Jesus; increase the inheritance which has been given to me.<\/p>\n<h2>34. Do great things<\/h2>\n<p>Do cool shit; great things, to help humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>35. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look down; fly like an eagle<\/h2>\n<p>If I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m an eagle, soaring on the wings of inspiration \u00e2\u20ac\u201d don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look down. Keep soaring higher and higher; until my wings burn from getting too close to the sun.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how good I am, to keep see how far I can rise. To give it everything that I got\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to keep getting better, stronger, smarter.<\/p>\n<p>To never stop soaring.<\/p>\n<h2>36. Work, work, work, work, work<\/h2>\n<p>When in doubt, keep up \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchonorable industry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 &#8211; or honorable hustle.<\/p>\n<p>Not to work for work\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake. But to work to do meaningful, purposeful work, which will benefit humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>37. Disregard people who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like me<\/h2>\n<p>I cannot please everyone. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel upset when others don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like me. Have love for everybody \u00e2\u20ac\u201d even my haters. Because they are truly sad children, deep inside. With unfulfilled dreams.<\/p>\n<h2>38. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care to be popular<\/h2>\n<p>Popularity isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a sign of success. Only sign of success:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  How do I feel about my own progress?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>39. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t criticize Picasso<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Would you stand over Picasso\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder, and criticize his brush strokes? &#8211; Dr. Dre\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Never criticize the art of another artist. To just focus on my own art.<\/p>\n<h2>40. Strip down to the essentials<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. &#8211; Leonardo da Vinci\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Strip my life down to pure, unadorned, simplicity. To have the essentials, not as a way of punishing myself\u00e2\u20ac\u201d but to make myself lighter, stronger, and more focused.<\/p>\n<p>To avoid any superfluous movement or activity, which prevents me from doing my life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s task.<\/p>\n<h2>41. Hustle; no hand-outs<\/h2>\n<p>There are no hand-outs in life, remember how hard you hustled as a kid.<\/p>\n<p>Note to self: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t spoil your future children. Let them hustle to get what they want.<\/p>\n<h2>42. All killer, no filler<\/h2>\n<p>Less is more.<\/p>\n<h2>43. Buy books, not gear<\/h2>\n<p>Education is always the best investment.<\/p>\n<h2>44. Just shoot it.<\/h2>\n<p>My entire photography philosophy. Nike should sponsor me.<\/p>\n<h2>45. Memento mori<\/h2>\n<p>Remember, one day you will die. And remember; it is your duty to die. So no thoughts on living forever. At best you will live to be 120. At worst, maybe you will lose your mind at 55. Or, you might die tomorrow. Or you might die from getting in a car accident, or choking to death after an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n<h2>46. Never stop hustling<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Rich as fuck, but, guess what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m back to work. Dr. Dre\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Even when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m rich; keep hustling, not to stuff my pockets, but to do more honorable hustle for the greater good.<\/p>\n<h2>47. No speed limit<\/h2>\n<p>My life as a German Autobahn freeway\u00e2\u20ac\u201d no speed limits.<\/p>\n<p>Also like a skyscraper; no limits.<\/p>\n<p>I cannot think of limits in my life. I must go beyond them. Be infinite like the universe; keep growing.<\/p>\n<h2>48. Follow my gut; not my guilt<\/h2>\n<p>Disregard what others try to guilt me into doing or not doing; follow my own gut and intuition.<\/p>\n<h2>49. Seek inner-perfection<\/h2>\n<p>Try to achieve the stoic ideal for myself; and for others.<\/p>\n<p>To never blame anybody else for anything. Even when it was \u00e2\u20ac\u02dctheir fault.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n<h2>50. Make my first like my last; and my last like my first<\/h2>\n<p>To make art, blog posts, books, videos, photos \u00e2\u20ac\u201d like it were my last.<\/p>\n<p>But to make all my art like I was a kid again, or a hungry intern again.<\/p>\n<h2>51. Be more useful<\/h2>\n<p>To be more wealthy; be more useful to society, to a greater number of people, in a more useful way.<\/p>\n<h2>52. Help others find their meaning and purpose in life<\/h2>\n<p>My purpose; help others find their purpose.<\/p>\n<h2>53. Disregard opinions of others<\/h2>\n<p>Everyone can have their own opinion; I have the power to ignore them.<\/p>\n<h2>54. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work for gratitude<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work for the applause of others; but for the sake of helping others. To not get discouraged when I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get praise or appreciation.<\/p>\n<p>Does the sun need appreciation for rising everyday; without getting weary?<\/p>\n<h2>55. I am selfish<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, I am evil, selfish, conceited, heartless, cruel, and self-centered.<\/p>\n<p>But for the greater good.<\/p>\n<p>How else can I help others, but to focus on my own work?<\/p>\n<h2>56. Admit it<\/h2>\n<p>If people criticize me, best response:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>How else will they attack me?<\/p>\n<h2>57. Avoid parasites<\/h2>\n<p>Remember your dad being a parasite to your mom and the entire family.<\/p>\n<p>Never become a parasite. Or let my kids become parasites.<\/p>\n<h2>58. Heaven on earth<\/h2>\n<p>Heaven isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a place where I go after I die. Heaven is being alive on earth, to love, be loved, and to do my life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s purpose and task.<\/p>\n<p>Hell isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a place after I die\u00e2\u20ac\u201d hell is living with unfulfilled desires, and having the wrong goals in life. Avoid hell on earth.<\/p>\n<p>No hell after I die; but my spirit and soul will be eternal.<\/p>\n<p>I already live on heaven on earth; appreciate being alive! Never to waste a moment of my life.<\/p>\n<h2>59. Give fewer fucks<\/h2>\n<p><strong>I used to give a fuck; now I give a fuck less.<\/strong> &#8211; Jay-Z<\/p>\n<p>Give fewer fucks about what others think of me; <em>give more fucks that I think of me.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>60. Ignore<\/h2>\n<p>Learn to ignore the superfluous in life.<\/p>\n<h2>61. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t own anything<\/h2>\n<p>Everything is on loan. My life. Give it back willing fully before I die, and thank God for the precious gift of life. To not waste my life, and to increase profits for God and humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>62. 100% dependent on myself<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be dependent on others to do creative work.<\/p>\n<h2>63. Never weary<\/h2>\n<p>Sleep enough, but drink lots of coffee during the day, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t eat breakfast or lunch to be more productive. But to enjoy a nice leisurely dinner with your loved ones and Cindy.<\/p>\n<h2>64. Unlimited ambition<\/h2>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m infinite. To never stop being hungry; to remember my hunger as a child, as a high schooler, and college student.<\/p>\n<p>I used to be ambitious; that is why Cindy was attracted to me. Re-spark that ambition; to be ambitious for helping the greater good.<\/p>\n<h2>65. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait<\/h2>\n<p>If important, do it now. <strong>Tomorrow is never.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>66. Legacy<\/h2>\n<p>What will I be remembered for after I die? Maybe open source. Hopefully the idea of generosity, and love for everybody. Of equality, access, and empowerment.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter if I have a billion dollars; I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take that shit with me when I die. But hopefully the pattern of my life, my actions, will help inspire, motivate, and uplift future generations of humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>67. Be fearless<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid to share the truth; or what I believe in.<\/p>\n<h2>68. Sacrifice myself for the greater good<\/h2>\n<p>Follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Seneca, Socrates, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, other Martyrs.<\/p>\n<p>Crucify myself for the truth; and for humanity. To have soul in the game.<\/p>\n<h2>69. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live at half my level<\/h2>\n<p>I am living at half my level; what if I unlocked my fullest potential, and went further than that?<\/p>\n<h2>70. Nothing is impossible<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Feel as if this were a world where nothing was impossible.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With all the technology, internet, and my ingenuity \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I can do anything.<\/p>\n<p>I have unlimited choices, resources, and power to do anything!<\/p>\n<p>Action cures all fear.<\/p>\n<h2>71. Never betray my soul<\/h2>\n<p>Never betray my soul, my gut, my beliefs \u00e2\u20ac\u201d even for a billion dollars?<\/p>\n<p>Why do I need a billion dollars anyways? I can feed myself on eggs, pork jowl, coffee is cheap, all I need is laptop and wifi.<\/p>\n<h2>72. Small is better<\/h2>\n<p>For almost everything in life; smaller is better.<\/p>\n<p>Small studio apartment: easier to clean, easier to get from kitchen to dining table, from shower to bed.<\/p>\n<p>Small camera: less weight, less stress, more walking, more creativity, more photos.<\/p>\n<p>Small car: easier to park, less time filling up gas, less money, less stress of it getting beaten up.<\/p>\n<h2>73. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t own<\/h2>\n<p>Renting is better. Renting apartment; I can screw up the sink, the furniture, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care, or not stressed out.<\/p>\n<p>Uber everywhere, no need to stress about parking. Better than self-driving car. I can take a nap in an Uber.<\/p>\n<h2>74. No limit on output<\/h2>\n<p>Never let anybody tell me I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m creating or outputting too much. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m unlimited stream; like a river, or torrent of water. Or beam of light; or photons \u00e2\u20ac\u201d always shining straight, at light speed.<\/p>\n<p>Ultralight beam.<\/p>\n<h2>75. Money is food<\/h2>\n<p>To work is to earn enough to feed myself, and not die.<\/p>\n<p>One meal a day is enough.<\/p>\n<h2>76. Enlightenment: Knowing what your purpose in life is<\/h2>\n<p>Having a reason to wake up in the morning; to serve the greater good.<\/p>\n<h2>77. What do I spend my time on?<\/h2>\n<p>I am what I spend my time on.<\/p>\n<p>More time producing; less consuming.<\/p>\n<h2>78. Make a profit<\/h2>\n<p>My profits will help others profit.<\/p>\n<h2>79. What I need<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Peace<\/li>\n<li>Concentration<\/li>\n<li>Not to get distracted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>80. Never forget: it is fucking amazing to be alive<\/h2>\n<p>Never take life for granted. I will regret it, when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m 90, on my death bed.<\/p>\n<h2>81. I have all the means of production<\/h2>\n<p>Buying a new camera; tool, gadget, won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make me a better artist. No excuses.<\/p>\n<h2>82. My priorities<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Family<\/li>\n<li>Work<\/li>\n<li>My physical health, fitness, mind.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>83. Run the map<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t rap; I run the map &#8211; Jay-Z\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pigeon-hole myself. Extend my map, territories. Not just photographer, not just blogger, not just street photographer, not just artist, philosopher, teacher, whatever.<\/p>\n<p>No definition.<\/p>\n<p>Tap into my unlimited source of creativity \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and unlock a second renaissance for myself.<\/p>\n<h2>84. Meditations<\/h2>\n<p>All my words are personal meditations; which I hope can help others.<\/p>\n<h2>85. Play in your sandbox; playground.<\/h2>\n<p>Refuse to play by the rules of others. Make my own rules.<\/p>\n<h2>86. Static -\\&gt; Kinetic energy<\/h2>\n<p>Take static, untapped potential \u00e2\u20ac\u201d put it into motion, and make it <strong>kinetic!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>87. Enjoy my wealth<\/h2>\n<p>Enjoy wealth; for coffee, good food, travel, helping family, convenience, etc. No guilt.<\/p>\n<h2>88. Fuck amusement and luxury<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become a degenerate to the senses.<\/p>\n<p>Go out and create meaning in my life.<\/p>\n<h2>89. Life is motion<\/h2>\n<p>Nothing can be created without motion.<\/p>\n<p>Life is motion; life is hustling.<\/p>\n<p>My life is purposeful motion; <strong>purposeful hustling.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>90. Create more<\/h2>\n<p>Create more things; realize more of my static potential into kinetic energy. Study more physics?<\/p>\n<h2>91. Practice what I preach<\/h2>\n<p>Follow what I write about.<\/p>\n<h2>92. Put my money where my mouth is<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t cost me money. Put my skin in the game.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t use anything I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t use my own money on.<\/p>\n<h2>93. Show my top speed<\/h2>\n<p>Not slowing down; no limits on the bat mobile.<\/p>\n<p>Put the pedal to the floor.<\/p>\n<h2>94. Why do I care to be noticed?<\/h2>\n<p>To be noticed or seen; like random eyes staring at me. Why do I care if a bunch of dogs stare at me?<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crowd-source my self-esteem, to random eyeballs, and electrical signals in the minds of others.<\/p>\n<p>What if a bunch of dogs were looking at me in admiration; would I care?<\/p>\n<h2>95. Detachment<\/h2>\n<p>Detach myself from what I cannot change; or what I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about.<\/p>\n<h2>96. Money not evil<\/h2>\n<p>Money as a tool for exchange.<\/p>\n<h2>97. Think more<\/h2>\n<p>The more I think, produce, the more wealth I will have and create.<\/p>\n<p>An honest man: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consume more than I produce. Produce more than I consume.<\/p>\n<p>More productive I am; more rewards I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get.<\/p>\n<h2>98. No atlas complex<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel an \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcatlas complex\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u201d of trying to bear the weight of the whole world on my shoulders.<\/p>\n<h2>99. Self-made man<\/h2>\n<p>Be self-made man. Hustle for everything I create, desire, and want to achieve.<\/p>\n<h2>100. Create evergreen things<\/h2>\n<p>Create things which are evergreen\u00e2\u20ac\u201d which are as relevant 10, 100, 1,000 years from now \u00e2\u20ac\u201d as it is today. Avoid gear reviews, or anything fleeting.<\/p>\n<h2>101. Help others fulfill their personal maximum<\/h2>\n<p>See the best in others; spark the potential in others.<\/p>\n<h2>102. Create abundance for others<\/h2>\n<p>The more abundance I create; the more wealthy I will be.<\/p>\n<h2>103. Follow my own moral virtues<\/h2>\n<p>Follow what feels right to me; disregard shame, pity, or guilt.<\/p>\n<h2>104. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be slaves of others<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be slave to opinions of others. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let anybody prevent me from doing what I want to do.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcgonna stop me now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Jay Z\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>105. Onto the next one<\/h2>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m onto the next one \u00e2\u20ac\u201d like Jay-Z. Keep moving forward; forward progress.<\/p>\n<h2>106. Only I can judge me<\/h2>\n<p>No need to defend myself; when nobody can judge me, not in my court.<\/p>\n<h2>107. Time above all<\/h2>\n<p>Time above money, prestige, networking, business, etc. Hold every hour in my grasp.<\/p>\n<h2>108. Thrive in life<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just survive; thrive. Thrive in life; fly on the wings of inspiration to the heavens.<\/p>\n<h2>109. The end goal<\/h2>\n<p>The end goal: to <strong>have the freedom to pursue my passion<\/strong>. That is the ultimate wealth.<\/p>\n<p>There is no limit to what is possible in life.<\/p>\n<h2>110. Reduce obligations<\/h2>\n<p>Not to gain money; but to reduce obligations, and work, stress, anxiety, bothersome things, etc.<\/p>\n<h2>111. How can your money value me?<\/h2>\n<p>What do I need more money for?<\/p>\n<p>I already got coffee, apartment, camera, laptop \u00e2\u20ac\u201d no need for anything else? Just more opportunity to do more creating.<\/p>\n<h2>112. Expand my life<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The purpose of wealth: the means of expanding my life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>How to expand my life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to do more creative, purposeful work, to uplift my soul and spirit?<\/p>\n<p>To be more wealthy:<br \/>\n1. Produce more<br \/>\n2. Produce it faster<br \/>\n3. MANUFACTURE TIME<\/p>\n<p>An hour saved is an hour added to my life. Be self-sufficient. Reduce unnecessary labor.<\/p>\n<p>Hoard the saving account of time.<\/p>\n<h2>113. Give more life<\/h2>\n<p>Keep producing, adding more life, to the lives of others.<\/p>\n<p><em>How to add value; purpose; life to others \u00e2\u20ac\u201d with my products, blogs, ideas?<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>114. We want freedom<\/h2>\n<p>Freedom is the greatest human good. People think they want money; but they think of money as a tool to have freedom. Freedom of time, mind, and to do what you want to do (and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do).<\/p>\n<p><em>Wealth \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what greater wealth is there than to own yourself and spend on myself to keep growing?<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>115. Keep growing<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Every living thing must grow; it can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stand still \u00e2\u20ac\u201d it must grow or perish.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Think of trees; they keep growing gradually, over eons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Grow or perish. never stand still.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>116. Magnum opus<\/h2>\n<p>Make each work a magnum opus\u00e2\u20ac\u201d a great work.<\/p>\n<h2>117. Man is a social being<\/h2>\n<p>All the work I do to have a social purpose; to help humanity.<\/p>\n<h2>118. Be a builder<\/h2>\n<p>Keep building stuff; producing stuff.<\/p>\n<h2>119. A man is a doer<\/h2>\n<h2>120. How to shape reality?<\/h2>\n<p>How to turn data into physical atoms in the real world?<\/p>\n<h2>121. Never compromise<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Avoid the middle<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Middle-point between food and poison is still poison. That is death.<\/p>\n<p>Never a half-rational person; never a half-coward.<\/p>\n<h2>122. Produce ideas<\/h2>\n<p>Ideas are the most valuable; that stick in the minds, hearts, and souls of others. Ideas to benefit humanity?<\/p>\n<p>The value of an idea can be shared with millions, billions of people!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ideas are the ultimate scaleable commodity!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Be an Idea-producer. And then share the ideas.<\/p>\n<h2>123. No fear<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\n  <strong>Fear has stunted your soul!<\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let fear prevent me from growing.<\/p>\n<h2>124. Respect for all<\/h2>\n<p>Respect all of humankind.<\/p>\n<h2>125. Total dedication<\/h2>\n<p><strong>To win; have total dedication<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n  Yours is the battle for any achievement; any value, any grandeur, any goodness, and joy that has ever existed on earth.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>126. Unlimited audacity<\/h2>\n<p>Be a man of unlimited audacity.<\/p>\n<p>To take bold risks.<\/p>\n<h2>127. What is money?<\/h2>\n<p>Money is just a scrap of paper. No inherent value; humans add value to money. A dollar bill is not equivalent to a pound of bacon.<\/p>\n<h2>128. Direct action<\/h2>\n<p>Disregard principles; only <em>direct action<\/em> can work.<\/p>\n<h2>129. Live by my own philosophy<\/h2>\n<p>But at the same time; be flexible for change.<\/p>\n<h2>130. My philosophy<\/h2>\n<p>I believe that all human beings are heroic beings; with unlimited potential. We just need to tap into that hidden-potential. To re-spark that childhood sense of curiosity.<\/p>\n<p>To seek true, real, productive, useful achievement in life. To not have fear. To hustle; hard. To have no excuses. To just do it. To do noble work, for the greater good. To follow and cultivate reason, and to disregard what others think.<\/p>\n<p>To follow your own heart; be true to yourself, be grateful for life, and to make love your mission statement.<\/p>\n<p>Always,<br \/>\nEric<\/p>\n<p><em>Inspired by <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/marcus-aurelius\/\">Marcus Aurelius<\/a> and his mediations to himself.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/philosophy\/\">Learn more Philosophy &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Personal meditations, on my life philosophy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/cindy-project-eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-monochrome-ricoh-gr-ii-28mm-0010628-3.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45108","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=45108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}