I have started another site, www.meetinspiration.com. It's meant to be a successful combination of two main things I enjoy out of life.
1. I really enjoy meeting and learning about new people. You never know what kind of great stories and experiences they can share with you. It's always a fun learning experience.
2. I have been fortunate to meet so many great people that are making a difference in the world. They might even be just a very positive person sharing the vibes! Luckily, I've been able to introduce and connect other like minded individuals that share the same passion or goals.
So why not combine the two? Showcase people and different organizations with their inspirational stories and allow visitors to emotionally and physically connect with the story. Maybe it is something they can relate to. Maybe it brings a smile to their face. Maybe it's something they can pass along to another friend in need. Maybe they will feel compelled to reach out and help with the spotlighted person or organization. If it can make a difference in one person's life or the masses, inspiration has been met and passed on. Hopefully one day everyone will meet inspiration.
For 2010, I don't have any resolutions, but just goals that I'm continuing to work on. One of them that I have started in 2009 was to have Monday as my creative/learning day. As a designer, you have to keep on learning and staying on the creative edge to further develop your skills. For the longest time I felt stagnant. I was only doing some creative things at work, however I wasn't expanding my skills or creativity at all.
So I try to take every Monday as my learning or creative day. I have to either learn something new on Lynda.com, try out a new tutorial, or work on something creative. This goal ties into another goal seamlessly, which is to create a family documentary.
I find my family amazing. I just believe they are incredibly strong for being where they are today. Coming from a war-torn country, escaping Vietnam, knowing no english, facing cultural barriers, and somehow making it all work here in the United States. When I face tough times, it gives me strength just thinking about what my family had to go through.
I always found the stories of their childhood and their escape from Vietnam so fascinating that I wanted to document it. So I finally decided to work on a family documentary. I'm not sure where the project is going to go, if it will become big, or if I even want it to become big. I just want it for our personal records so that future generations will understand how our family got here in the US.
Over Christmas break, I was able to do some interviews with my parents and grandma, but still need to work on it more. When I first tried to interview my grandma, she actually freaked out a bit. She thought I was about to interrogate her haha. I actually had to hide the camera so she wouldn't see it. I feel confident that she'll be better about it next time though.
Anyways, here's a short clip that I found humorous from my dad. I wish that everyone could understand Vietnamese, because the emotions and thoughts can often be lost in translation. And if you guys know my dad, he tends to be hilarious! This is about his first American meal, Salanga!
My brother asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year (I guess I should say last year?) and all I asked for was a bible. It's another one of my goals to say that I actually have read it fully. I read parts of it of course during Sunday school growing up. However, I don't think as a kid, I could completely comprehend everything. I have no clue when I'll finish, but it's on my goal list for this year along with trying to attend church more regularly. Wish me luck!
I was in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday for some business meetings. We were driving in the city and I passed by this billboard advertisement. You might have seen some of these around and I absolutely love them. This is one of my favorites since 1) Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite American Painters, and 2) it spreads the word Inspiration.
These ads are created by a non profit group known as The Foundation For A Better Life. It has no religious ties. It does not accept any money donations since it is privately funded. All they ask in return is for your to find motivation and values that help you become a better person and live a better life. How amazing is that?
Here are some of my favorite billboards from them.
You can check out their website at www.values.com. I hope you find some type of inspiration and motivation for 2010, and to pass it onto others. Live well my friends and Happy 2010!
"Life is a constant process of relating " - Bruce Lee
Oh so true Bruce, oh so true. This quote resonates throughout my daily life. I feel that "relating" is such an important part of our lives and should be embraced even more. Through this process, we learn how we are all so connected.
When is the last time you felt this? Was is it relating to hearing music and lyrics that represented how you felt at that moment? How about meeting a stranger and finding out they had something in common with you? Or maybe the feeling you felt when someone gave you a helping hand or vice versa the feeling you had when you were able to help someone? Or how about eating some ratatouille and remembering how it tasted and how you felt right at home when you ate it as a child *movie plug*.
Life truly is a constant process of relating. So be present in your life and live, learn, love, and relate. Happy Holidays everyone!
Bruce Lee Statue in Hong KongI believe in everything life has to offer, the good and the bad. I feel deep down that even through all the hardships one might face, great things await. We just have to be patient. And if it doesn't come directly to you, all the work you do, will cause a change of events that will help someone out there one day. And you should feel great about that. Go out there and help others in need when you get the chance. You'll feel an instant satisfaction and connection with the human race.
"You know what I want to think of myself? As a human being. because, I mean I don't want to be like "As Confucius say," but under the sky, under the heavens there is but one family. It just so happens that people are different."- Bruce Lee
