Small things that make us better

What do I think is Inspiring and Beautiful… Personal betterment, creative solutions and not limiting yourself.

The ability for people to be willing to explore and push themselves and become better is truly a beautiful thing.

I understand seeking (and continuing) those things in our lives that are comfortable… but often: “The enemy of the best is the good enough “
(Yes, I understand that” the enemy of Good is (can be) The Best”, but that’s a different conversation)

A Mindset
To not be shaken by obstacles but always find the push, determination and creativity to overcome.
This isn’t just about photography. When you approach everything in live with an receptive mind-set it will only find it’s way to your art.

Example
I have a problem with people who have, what I consider, an irrational fear of the cold.
It’s not that I want them to love everything about the cold… but that I believe to avoid great opportunities by simply using a complaint of the weather is irrational to me. 
It demonstrates an unwillingness OR inability to find and implement creative solutions.
It’s one of the many things in life we just learn to overcome and when someone refuses to try it baffles me. 

It’s as if they believe everything must be comforting and pleasurable and not cause any discomfort for it to be good.
I myself am not going to go out into the cold just because… but I would not let it get in the way or let it deter me from experiencing something great or growing as a person.
I will however find (creative) ways to find solace… such as in this case… jackets, boots etc

NEW THINGS

Too many people avoid new and wonderful things and that makes me sad. So many people do the same things over and over and don’t reach beyond, in their their photography, their food/music/movie/tv/people likes…. to me it’s all the mind set and it’s all connected.
New things don’t bring immediate joy… because there’s also something to be said about earning the results.
“Try new things” is perhaps an overused statement… let me qualify the statement.

…OF GOOD REPORT
“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
This is a guiding principle in my life. 

I don’t say try new things just because. I believe you try them because you believe they will make you better, they will bring virtue, love, strength and intelligence into your life. 
And well I’d say don’t try new things that you believe would not bring lasting benefit to your life.

Example
I don’t say I love all music… I say I’m willing to like any type of music that has a good message and a beautiful sound. I don’t mind if it’s Rap, 80s, country, opera, classical, hip hop, pop, indie, disney, foreign, bollywood, punk… or whatever. And while I can find appreciation in a different style of music it does not mean that it has to become my favorite. Bollywood or russian or opera or rap or inde will never become my favorite styles of music. But I can grow from learning to appreciate them.

Therefore I appreciate someone like Daniela (pictured) who said she wasn’t very into Opera but she went with me anyway and ended up liking it. I’m not a big opera fan but I go to expand my likes and to experience the things that other people love and find “of good report” specially if they are people who’s opinions I respect.

I believe strongly that this influences how I take pictures and makes me better at my art.
Example
I was happily surprised that daniela went waltzing on into the deep cold snow banks in a not warm outfit with little moccasin like shoes. Sure she’s a tough German girl who is accustomed to some cold… but even still she did so without any trepidation… happy for the chance to trust me to get really great pictures.

These pictures are symbolic of that attitude in my opinion. And when we got back to the car I pumped up the heater. But she didn’t let what many others would consider problems get in her way… 
Another KEY: we were judicious and smart… no reckless abandon is needed to find joy in being creative and trying new things.
Just because hiking two miles farther in the snow in dress shoes and flip flops would be technically “NEW” doesn’t mean it’s something we should have done.

To me being open to the wonderful things in the world is what other people call “trying new things” It has nothing to do with peer pressure or thrill seeking… to me it means understanding that there are so many things that can make us better and to not limit ourselves.