{"id":75624,"date":"2018-01-06T15:41:08","date_gmt":"2018-01-06T23:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=75624"},"modified":"2018-01-06T15:43:13","modified_gmt":"2018-01-06T23:43:13","slug":"in-praise-of-a-dynamic-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/06\/in-praise-of-a-dynamic-life\/","title":{"rendered":"In Praise of a Dynamic Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

A mini epiphany that I had while studying the philosopher Democritus: true happiness in life is about living a DYNAMIC, changing, and evolving one \u00e2\u20ac\u201drather than a static, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153safe\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153comfortable\u00e2\u20ac\u009d lifestyle.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

DOWNLOAD PDF: In praise of a dynamic life<\/a><\/p>\n

1. What is a dynamic life?<\/h2>\n
\"Marseille
Marseille sunset, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve known this all my life \u00e2\u20ac\u201dI prefer a dynamic life and lifestyle.<\/p>\n

A dynamic life means you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re constantly in a state of flux<\/a>. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not just stuck in one spot. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re constantly growing, changing, evolving, and advancing yourself. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re growing your knowledge, muscles, and your flexibility. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re learning wisdom from others, and constantly challenging your own beliefs, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, and sharing with others what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re learning.<\/p>\n

2. Dynamic photography, art, and travels<\/h2>\n
\"Orange
Orange transparency at night. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In photography, that means to make dynamic compositions<\/a>; avoiding boring, straight, and symmetrical photos. Instead, opting for tilted frames, with asymmetric compositions, which are edgy, have movement, and yet still balanced.<\/p>\n

I think in life, I also prefer a dynamic life \u00e2\u20ac\u201dfull of travel, not being rooted in just one spot (like a tree)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d rather, being like a tumbleweed, and picking up things as I go.<\/p>\n

3. Dynamic concepts<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s
Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mom and Cindy holding hands. Marseille, 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Applied to other domains: the notion of dynamism appeals to me.<\/p>\n

With exercise and workouts, seek dynamic ones. For example, dynamic stretching instead of static stretching. Dynamic workouts instead of boring gym machines.<\/p>\n

Children are dynamic: they get bored easily, and are like sponges, constantly learning, challenging themselves, and seeking new adventures.<\/p>\n

\"Liberty
Liberty and equality. Marseille, 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What if we lived a life where we didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seek comfort, security, a big cozy house with a mortgage, a steady income, or guaranteed benefits? What if we lived life with more adventure, with less certainty, but with more excitement and dynamism?<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m still not 100% sure what that would look like, but it is an interesting idea to ponder.<\/p>\n

4. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a citizen of the world<\/h2>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

In practical terms for myself, I feel more freedom and liberation not wanting or desiring \u00e2\u20ac\u0153security\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153roots\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, or a house to call home.<\/p>\n

Rather, I feel at home anywhere I am in the world \u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhether on my friend Alexander Amy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s couch, whether at my cousin Patty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s house in New Jersey, whether I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m at an Airbnb in Berlin, with my friends Martin and Marketa in Prague, or house\/cat sitting for a friend in Marseille.<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to seek a static life where I suddenly make a bunch of money, and can live at home for the rest of my life. I always want to be a little uncomfortable in life, so I prevent myself from becoming too static and complacent.<\/p>\n

It also means in my life and thinking \u00e2\u20ac\u201dto always challenge my beliefs, and to not stay trapped in my own personal philosophy. Also, to not define myself or pigeonhole myself in a genre or to be confined to a static biography.<\/p>\n

\"\"
“Artist Eric” by Annette Kim from “Zen of Eric” Visualization<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ERIC KIM is constantly in the making; becoming something different \u00e2\u20ac\u201d better, smarter, stronger, yet sometimes more foolish, silly, or childish.<\/p>\n

So friend, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what your life situation is, but \u00e2\u20ac\u201d let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s both seek to live a more dynamic life.<\/p>\n

5. Dynamic ideas we can integrate into our lives<\/h2>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Easy dynamic ideas to integrate:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Dynamic exercises at the gym or at home (no gym machines)<\/li>\n
  2. Dynamic diet (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always eat the same thing; have variety in our diet)<\/li>\n
  3. Dynamic art (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just be a photographer, experiment with all visual arts, dance, make music, films, etc). <\/li>\n
  4. Dynamic lifestyle: opt for more freedom, flexibility, and optionality whenever you have the chance <\/li>\n
  5. Dynamic personality: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stick with one persona for yourself; your personality is always changing and in flux. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become boxed into a charicature or yourself (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become Will Ferrell and become trapped in just one type of personality). <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Be dynamic dynamite!
    \nERIC<\/p>\n

    THE ZEN OF ERIC<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    PHILOSOPHY<\/a><\/h1>\n

    Find more meaning and purpose in your life:<\/p>\n