What battle are you choosing?
- June 8th, 2011
“Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born.” – Emerson
A lot of life is preloaded.
My family, my socio-economic start, my race, my geography… I had no control over any of them and yet I live under them. When circumstances are favorable, I feel like I’ve won the lottery. When my back hurts or my internet goes out, I curse the gods.
The question I’m interested in is where do I take a stand regardless of my circumstances?
What do I care so much about that no thing will stop my commitment to it?
In the chatter about the “problems in our industry”, I’m believing that there are none. If there are problems, they are with me, they are with you or they are with us. “The industry” doesn’t exist apart from those three realities.
Problems live in that cowardly place where I expect all return and no investment.
Where must I go all-in? Where must you?
June 9th, 2011 at 1:44 am
this was the greatest statement that I have seen in a long time, and it hit home with me so wonderfully! I am always so worried about things that I have no control over….I need that lens before I can become a photographer, my blog sucks, I don’t have a web site yet, etc. All these things will come later, but for me anyway, I think I need them now or things must happen now. When actually what I need is to just stop worrying, using things or circumstances as a crutch, and just get out there and enjoy, learn, and take some dang photos! Thanks so much for this post. It made my day.
June 9th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Thanks Dawn. With you!
June 9th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I love this! I’m often discouraged by all of the criticism and negativity in the photo world. But then I am reminded that it exists in every industry and every social establishment. I decided long ago to remove myself from all of it in the teaching realm. In the past 13 years I have seen so many educational trends come and go, funding and no funding, and the list goes on. What I decided long ago was to be the best teacher I could be regardless of the circumstances out of my control. I teach for the students. And I photograph for my clients. That is my choice. (Although sometimes I do need to be reminded…which is why I loved this post).
July 2nd, 2011 at 7:17 pm
This is exactly what I’ve needed to hear. I always get so frustrated with things in life that what should be enjoyable isn’t. If I start leveraging what I have and save the worrying, I feel like I will be able to get something done (i.e. start my business). Thank you for the much needed post.
July 5th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
If you want to buy a house, you will have to receive the loans. Moreover, my brother always takes a short term loan, which supposes to be the most useful.