That Photo You Kind Of Remember

That Photo You Kind Of Remember 

You know, somewhere in the back of your memory there is a photo you will never forget. That photo has to be in some old shoebox, or maybe it is on that computer whose hard drive crashed. It has to be somewhere because you remember seeing it the last time you went through your files. Hopefully, you will remember where that photo is because that memory is tied to that image.

The memory of an event, a party, a celebration, a holiday, or just a slice of life is important to your personal history. Seeing that photograph helps activate that memory, and seeing details reminds you of clues that you have long forgotten. In many ways, having a photo is like having a time machine. You can look at it, see that event, and remember it more clearly. The photo is evidence of the events that transpired and allows you to realize that it actually did happen.

Until recently, photography was a rare occurrence. Now, with the prevalence of cell phones, photos are taken at any whim, whether substantial or frivolous. So even with something that happened last week, you can refer to your digital photos and confirm what you thought you saw or experienced. In the past, some people may have only had one photo taken in their entire lifetime. So only in that staged photo could they look back and remember the events that transpired. That photo was treasured because it was such a rare event and also because the costs were restrictive.

So, even with all these photos we have to remind us of events that recently occurred and events from the past, does that help us with our memories of those events? Do we rely on digital photos as evidence instead of relying upon our memories to validate our thoughts and concerns? It is interesting to consider the number of digital photos that are taken in comparison to traditional exposures that required processing and chemicals to develop. It is a wonder that any of us gets anything accomplished.

One thing that is lost with the rise of selfies is the group photo of events. You often have to ask a stranger to take a photo of the group. A few may carry tripods with them, but they are in the minority. Often, the candid photos that were taken, and even those photos that appeared to be mistakes, told the story better than a selfie. Those photos captured a slice of life. Perhaps they captured real-life events that cannot be achieved with a photo taken one foot from your face.

It will be very interesting to see what historians make of all these photos. I wonder what they will tell them about our society and who we are in comparison to other periods in time. Only time will tell the story we have to share with the future.

Computed

Gratitude

Gratitude

Gratitude is something we sometimes take for granted. When someone is kind to us and we forget to return that compassion, it destroys a small part of the human spirit. Being thankful for what we have is often left behind because we are so busy with the world around us. Imagine a strong wind comes by and blows all the kindness away, all the gratitude away, and all you have left is nothing. Just a world of self-indulgence.

As we grow older, it becomes easier to realize the gift of thanking others. Thanking them for their time, their kindness, their help, or especially their friendship is something that is often forgotten with all the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Just taking a moment to thank somebody could lift their day tremendously. Being kind, being thoughtful, and being respectful does make the world a better place.

Hopefully, when you wake up each morning, you realize that it is up to you to improve your place on this planet. You should not always ask what others can do for you. Sometimes, you should simply help others who need a helping hand. Seeing someone who needs your help and actually doing something about it will add up over time. And over that time, the world will improve.

It is amazing how many people are sad and bereft of passion. Some individuals just wander through life without accomplishing much. Without a passion to drive you, it is very easy to fall into a mundane state and do little to improve your lot in life. However, when you have no passion, that is exactly when you need to work hard to find something that keeps you motivated and keeps you moving.

Leading by example is something very powerful. When you run into an individual who has so much love and passion for life, in a lot of ways, it is infectious. Their energy transfers to you. Later on, your passion and drive can pass on to others as well. Then, at some point, maybe the whole world starts working to make it a better place. Now that is a world worth challenging yourself to achieve more than just existing.

Another year that passes by offers a chance to think about these things. Time has a way of showing us what matters and what does not. Kindness matters. Friendship matters. Gratitude matters. Having something you care about matters. Using whatever time you have to make a positive difference matters. Do not waste the time you have left on your clock.

So get out there and make the world a better place, one day at a time. Work on your dreams and challenge yourself beyond what you believe you can accomplish. You have it within you. Just take that little spark of energy and make it come to life.

And perhaps a lifetime later, you will look back and smile. You will realize that you were grateful for the people who helped you along the way. Hopefully, you helped a few people yourself, that you followed your passions, and most importantly, that you did not waste your life.

Computed!

"The Quiet Error" Avant-Garde Piano
https://youtu.be/zzdpu8HqUvM

What Is Creativity?

What Is Creativity?

You often hear people claim that they are creative. This creativity could be expressed through the visual arts, music, writing, acting, dance, and other performing arts. Let us take a moment to focus on what creativity is and what qualifies as creativity.

Is it possible to be creative in something outside the traditional fine arts? Could you be creative as a mechanic, welder, or cook? Most people think of creativity and attach it closely to the fine arts, but they are missing what creativity actually is.

Creativity is the ability to make something out of nothing. A few of the ingredients may already be present, but a creative individual can take those parts and make something awe-inspiring. Often, the simpler you make something, the better it becomes. Your first instincts are usually correct when you are creating.

In life, there are many people who are good at their vocations. You could argue that the reason some stand out from the rest is their use of creativity. A salesperson who sells you a vehicle when you were not even in the market has tapped into this universal creativity. When a student finally connects with a difficult subject, it often has something to do with the creativity and experience of a professional teacher. Even someone who works in the food industry and is efficient and fast at getting food out has learned how to use creativity to make the best product in the most efficient manner.

The individuals who can tap into creativity in different endeavors are often the ones society values. Their creativity makes them your first choice when you enter a business. You may even feel disappointed or leave if they are not there. Over time, humanity recognizes individuals who can help others survive and succeed. Without creativity, many of our greatest inventions and ideas would never have happened.

How does someone tap into creativity? When you have spent a large amount of time working on, studying, and analyzing a task, creativity will eventually appear. A task that once took three hours might now take only 30 minutes. A teacher can explain something in a matter of moments once they recognize the disconnect that a student is having with the subject. A salesperson understands that people are not simply buying a motorized vehicle. They are buying an experience and a story.

Do not worry if you have not yet tapped into this creativity in your profession. Some individuals may figure it out quickly. For others, it may take a lifetime. However, at some point, creativity may make its way to you. You will then be able to perform a task like the great masters of the fine arts did in the past.

People often think that things come easily to those who have mastered their trade. In reality, these individuals are constantly working to hone their craft. You never see the hours and decades of practice that go into a piano recital. All you see is the 45-minute concert. However, the pianist knows what they had to endure to make that recital happen. Deep down, the audience probably understands that as well, especially when they see or hear something they cannot replicate.

Everything in life that is worth doing is difficult. Sometimes, we do not know what we are missing until we try. Failing is better than never trying. You must not fear what you do not understand. Failure is simply another part of life.

You can be just as creative as any other individual who has ever lived. However, you must spend time on your craft. After hours, years, and decades, that experience will become evident in your chosen profession. Today is a good day to start fostering your creativity.

Computed

Writing a Letter On The Semiquincentennial Of The United States Of America

 Writing a Letter On The Semiquincentennial Of The United States Of America 

On the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America, I remembered that my grandparents sent me a letter in 1976 for the United States Bicentennial. Of course, I do not remember actually receiving this letter, only years later when I looked through the keepsakes and was reminded of it. Probably once a decade or so, I go through these keepsakes, reminisce about the past, and see that letter and read through it. My grandparents wanted me to have a souvenir of this Bicentennial. They also wrote that I was too young to really understand the importance of this, but hopefully when I grew into manhood I would. In the letter, my grandparents also wrote about how important freedom is and why they were so proud to be Americans.

So I decided to do the same thing, write a letter to myself as a souvenir of the Semiquincentennial. In the letter, I write about how my grandparents realized that the next time a letter like this could be written, I would be well into adulthood. Also, I predicted that they would appreciate all the hard work I did during my lifetime and all the successes that I have had, and that they would be happy that I was able to live the American dream, that their grandson loves the freedoms he has in this country, and that I am proud to be an American, just like my grandparents.

I would encourage you to write a letter to those that you love on this Semiquincentennial. You could write a letter to a young person, a person who is starting their career, or even someone who is already an adult. After reading the letter, they will be able to reflect upon their lives up to this point. After decades of only sending email correspondence and text messages, a traditional letter would be a rare and interesting keepsake and souvenir of the Semiquincentennial.

Thinking about how different the world is from the Bicentennial to this Semiquincentennial is fascinating. The rise of computers, cell phones constantly in people's hands, jobs that did not exist, and jobs that have gone extinct since that time. In 50 years, the world is a different place. With all the technological, medical, communication, and exploration of the Earth and space advances of the last half century, this world would appear so different to those in 1976.

The art of writing letters by hand has almost disappeared. Instant communication is the norm. The idea of having a tangible form of communication that a young child could pass to themselves into adulthood is being lost. This is one reason why I would encourage you to send a letter on this special occasion. Write from the heart. This souvenir could only come from writing a letter by hand. It is okay if you have some spelling errors or a combination of cursive and print. As long as they can read it, they will treasure it.

I want to wish you a very happy Semiquincentennial! Two hundred fifty years of the United States of America have passed quickly. It will not be long until there is a Quincentennial and a Millennium. Even if we will not see those, it would be interesting to predict how different the world would be 500 and 1,000 years from now. I choose to believe the world will be a better place. I believe in the future and that humanity will continue to grow, learn, and improve.

Computed