{"id":75075,"date":"2017-12-27T05:40:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T13:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=75075"},"modified":"2017-12-27T05:57:17","modified_gmt":"2017-12-27T13:57:17","slug":"purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/27\/purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"PURPOSE."},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gonna try to share some personal thoughts on purpose and happiness.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

DOWNLOAD PDF: Purpose by eric kim<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

My definition of happiness<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To start, what is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?<\/p>\n

I define happiness as creative flourishing (eudaimonia in Greek). Creative flourishing is like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a fountain, constantly overflowing with creative water, force, and power. In practical terms, to creatively flourish means to keep making art (making more photos, paintings, pictures,etc) and to keep pushing your skills to the next level.<\/p>\n

Flow<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy red and green. Saigon, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I feel the most happiness and joy when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m drunken off the Dionysian flow of creating. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m only happy when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in the process of writing, researching, watching engaging film that requires 100% of my attention, when I am performing and teaching, when I am analyzing art, when I am dancing to music, having an engaging conversation with Cindy or friends or family, or when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m making photos, or making pictures.<\/p>\n

Pleasure isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happiness<\/h2>\n

\"Question<\/p>\n

I used to think that happiness was pleasure \u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong.<\/p>\n

Pleasure: if we wanted to just keep feeling pleasure, it would be best to just constantly partake in drunken orgies, constantly taking ecstasy and heroin, and eating foie gras. But alas, this type of pleasure would wear off quickly \u00e2\u20ac\u201d imagine having sex 10 times a day \u00e2\u20ac\u201dwouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that be more pain than pleasure?<\/p>\n

Owning stuff isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that fun<\/h2>\n

\"Purple<\/p>\n

Also it is obvious that happiness doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come from material possessions. Because it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fun to possess something \u00e2\u20ac\u201dit is only fun to create, make stuff, and play.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For example, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always lusted over owning a Leica camera. I thought it would bring me joy for the rest of my life, because it would \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inspire\u00e2\u20ac\u009d me to go out and shoot more, because it would give me more confidence to make more photos, and I would just feel cool having the camera as a luxury-fashion object.<\/p>\n

\"Girl
Girl with nails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I finally got one, and no \u00e2\u20ac\u201dit didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t solve my life problems. The Leica was a lot heavier than I imagined. I ended up not shooting as much as I wanted.<\/p>\n

\"Blue
Blue car, red wall. Indianapolis, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The same goes with all material possessions \u00e2\u20ac\u201deven if I bought a Lamborghini, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure I would tire of it easily. Even owning a nice home, that would tire quickly. Even owning a bunch of money \u00e2\u20ac\u201d having money in itself doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring joy.<\/p>\n

Only the act of creation brings true joy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t over obsess over purpose<\/h2>\n
\"Girl
Girl in pink with book. Singapore, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ok, so the next concept is purpose.<\/p>\n

My theory:<\/p>\n

\n Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think too much about purpose. Then we stress too much about legacy, pleasing others, and trying to make something really good.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Challenge over purpose<\/h2>\n
\"My
My mom knitting in our old berkeley apartment, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My suggestion:<\/p>\n

\n Challenge Yourself.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Challenge yourself, and have fun. Avoid boredom. Constantly push yourself 25% beyond than you think what your limits are.<\/p>\n

But what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my purpose?<\/h2>\n
\"Street
Street photo in Istanbul, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, you still need a sense of purpose.<\/p>\n

My idea of purpose, stolen from Cindy:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Make art <\/li>\n
  2. Share that art with others <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You gotta make art that empowers yourself. Then you have a duty to share that art with others, to inspire others.<\/p>\n

    But remember, it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t within your control whether others like it or not. But still, you must publish and share your work.<\/strong> Even if you have the ability to empower one other human being on planet earth, it is worth it.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Three ideas as happiness as a photographer<\/h2>\n
    \"Black
    Black cop cutout with flash. Downtown la, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    An idea I got from the philosopher Democritus:<\/p>\n

    Happiness as an artist is,<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Increase your skills (extension, augmentation of your skills)<\/li>\n
    2. Enlargement of purpose <\/li>\n
    3. Enhancement of power <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      1. Increase your skills<\/h3>\n
      \"Man
      Man with curtain on face. Istanbul, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      For myself, I improve my skills by cross pollinating my skills I am learning and teaching myself all visual arts. No limits. Painting, sculpture, photography \u00e2\u20ac\u201dit is all fair game.<\/p>\n

      Then, taking those lessons I learn, and apply it to my photos, to make better art.<\/p>\n

      2. Enlargement of purpose<\/h3>\n
      \"Portrait
      Portrait of my sister Annette Kim, Hasselblad x Portra 400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      To enlarge your sense of purpose:<\/p>\n

      \n Build a larger platform for you to share your stuff with.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      For example, start your own YouTube channel, your own photography website or blog. I generally recommend avoiding Facebook and Instagram, because you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have enough control.<\/p>\n

      \"India
      India surreal street photograph of taxi. Mumbai, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      To enlarge your purpose \u00e2\u20ac\u201dbuilding self confidence in yourself, that your purpose of an artist is epic. Your stuff is really good, and it deserves to be shared.<\/p>\n

      The more self-confident you are, the more purpose you will feel in your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      3. Enhancement of power<\/h3>\n
      \"Two
      Two suits in London, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Recognition that your skills are increasing, and knowing you have the ability to birth your creations in your mind, into the physical world.<\/p>\n

      For example being able to visualize what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in your mind, and making an art piece from it.<\/p>\n

      \"Suit
      Suit with glasses in teeth, London, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      As a photographer, visualizing a picture you want to make, and having the ability<\/em> to actually create that photo.<\/p>\n

      \"Currency
      Currency exchange, suits, 2014. London.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Thus, power as a photographer-artist is to have ABILITY (power as ability).<\/p>\n

      \n

      Physical strength as an artist<\/h2>\n
      \"Almonds
      Almonds after doing deadlifts. Emeryville, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Other practical ideas,<\/p>\n

      First of all, one thing a lot of artists don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t talk about \u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe importance of physical strength.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      My theory:<\/p>\n

      \n The more physically strong you are, the stronger you will be as an artist.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      For example, the stronger I build my muscles (through squats, deadlifts<\/a>, pushups, chin-ups, yoga moves, etc)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the more productive I am as an artist.<\/p>\n

      \"\"
      Shot head on with the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cutoff technique\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      For example, after an intense workout of one rep max deadlifts, I feel like a fucking beast, breathing fire. I run home, and churn out new blog posts. The more physically strong I am, the less afraid and less self-conscious I am of myself.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \"Man
      Man in Venice with tattoo on chest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Even in photography \u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou need to be physically fit. The more you can walk without fatigue, and the more muscular your legs, the more productive you will be as a photographer.<\/p>\n

      Diet for artists<\/h2>\n
      \"Spine
      Spine in doctor office, surreal abstract.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Diet is also essential. My general suggestion:<\/p>\n

      \n Drink lots of black coffee and water during the day, and limit sugar and simple carbohydrates during the day.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      A strong photographer and artist needs substantial nutrition. This is why I recommend in the evenings, having a hearty meal of veggies, meats, eggs, and nutrient dense food.<\/p>\n

      \n

      I love the cold<\/h2>\n
      \"Pink
      Pink lips and open mouth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Also another life hack:<\/p>\n

      \n If you need a quick shot of inspiration or motivation, take an icy cold shower.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Ice cold showers have been proven to treat symptoms of depression, and also improve our mood and sleep.<\/p>\n

      \"Clouds.
      Clouds. Tokyo, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      For me, as a devoted ice cold shower devotee for the last 5 years, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned:<\/p>\n

      \n Taking ice cold showers is painful, but if you can survive an ice cold shower, you can survive anything in life.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      \n

      Some practical ideas to jumpstart your inspiration.<\/p>\n

      ERIC KIM BOOK CLUB<\/h2>\n
      \"Istanbul
      Istanbul man in suit, with flash through glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Start off with philosophy. I recommend the Stoics:<\/p>\n