We know about things as they’re happening. Years ago; it would take days or even months to get some of this information. So where is this all heading? Let’s take a look at YOU and what all this information/exchange does to each of us.

First off; there are way too many people that use their computer social networking to talk for them. They can’t talk to any other human being face-to-face; but they can sure lay down some bad kharma on places like Facebook or MySpace. Where did they learn this from? Is it from our repressed society and education system? I’ve never had a problem with communication. I’m not sure if there’s an answer why it’s that way; or is it that luck has just been on my side. My mother still says I was vaccinated with a phonograph needle (have to explain that to some of the populous out there). I think it has to do with the fact that I was an only child for 10 years of my life. I had to interact with other people; older people; adults. Kids today vary rarely say boo….except those who speak before they think about what they’re going to say. I’m sure it happens in school as well. In my professional photographer career, I have to carefully ‘work’ the crowd as it is. If I ask a question to the wrong ‘child’ in the group, I might not get control of the group back again. It’s a fine line…being the intermediate…..the negotiator if you will.

So back to our topic. Why did I even bring up the ‘lack’ of social skills out there today? It’s all part of our ‘human’ element. We are meant to be connected if you will. And I don’t believe it should be through texting or commenting on one of the social network sites. There is a time to use those avenues….just not the ONLY way.  I have seen teenagers sit in the same vehicle and not say a word for hundreds of miles. And when they get to their destination, they talk as if they’ve been having a conversation the whole way. They were texting each other sitting only inches apart. Either they didn’t want to have other people hear/see what they were talking about, or they wanted to save their voices? Who knows…

So how can we be better than ourselves? First off; only use yourself as the measuring rod. You can use other peoples accomplishments and talents as something to strive for; but only for that. If you go much farther than that, you are just being envious. And that’s a very narrow line to walk. Set you sites on a goal that you have put down from what you see around you or your own imagination. Being humble is good for many reasons. I have  the most respect for people that I thought were very high and mighty; but really were down to earth and could talk with anyone; old or young; rich or poor; educated or not educated.  And never let someone else move you into something you don’t believe in. If you believe in something so badly; stand up for it. And if something you believe in does prove to be different; stand tall and admit it. Admitting that you’re human is more than many other humans do today.

So look in the mirror and envision who you REALLY are. Who you want to become. And concentrate on that. Then you will have the building blocks to ‘BE BETTER THAN YOURSELF’!!

As I’ve been helping a Photoshop instructor in Iowa this week, I was reminded of some simple life lessons by a few of the students attending. This lesson is very simple. Be a lifelong learner. Not only does learning and studying keep you looking forward to new things each day; but it has also been proven to keep your brain young and make the quality of your life better. There are so many people who have more than one interest. They might have their job/vocation, then a hobby or two that keeps them learning and looking forward to new things. Many of the people in our society today are not happy with their jobs. If they don’t have other interests or hobbies, these people are living very boring lives. Multiple interests not only keeps them busy,  but it keeps them from wandering too much.

Now that’s not easy to say. I was a straight A student in school; but my mind would wander off usually because I had my homework or assignments already done. When I look back on this; it was different than wandering aimlessly. I believe as an artist (and we all have a little bit of this in us), day dreaming is part of a process. It’s a significant part because great things don’t usually just fall into ones lap. They are dreamed about, experimented with and eventually on the 3rd to 100th attempt….success!!

So back to lifelong learning. They say if you keep using your mind you stay younger; and I think we’d all like that. But how do I do that……stay in the learning mode? Not an easy one to explain. Curiosity is a big part of learning. If one is curious about something, it inspires one to find out more about it. Hence…..learning! So what are you curious about? Is it nuclear science? Is it politics? Is it simple things like gardening, cooking, sewing, painting? Maybe you’ve always been a home inventor. Finding things that don’t work in your situations and making something that does. That’s learning. It might even end up being a lucrative venture if you invent the right thing.

In todays age, there is no excuse for not learning. You’ve got everything from libraries to the internet. From group forums to actual physical clubs that get together to discuss or partake in certain arts or sciences. We are in the age of information. So what do you do now? First I suggest you take an inventory of what you like and dislike. This will help you narrow down your interests. From here you can start your exploring. If for some reason your course changes during the expedition….adjust. Maybe you’ll find a new love to try. In fact, that’s part of the learning process. Rivers change course over centuries of running. Roads don’t all lead to the same place. You may stumble on a micro part of your major love; and find a whole new area to study. In photography; there’s general and there’s specialized. One photographer I know of takes close up photos of snowflakes. He’s had to modify, adapt and invent new equipment just to get these photos. But he’s learned an awful lot from both the process and the final results.

So what is it going to be…..boring…….or filled with enthusiasm for all the possibilities? You make the choice and I hope it’s for LIFELONG learning!!

All of these happenings have proven an age old line; “take care of yourself, because nobody will do it better than you”.

Now granted, you put faith in a system; a system that’s been around for quite some time. Who would have known these things would happen? Of course, over history; very few people knew when something tragic or catastrophic would take place. If more people would have, there’d be more rich people around today.

So what’s this go to do with creativity? Lots. In fact; the most creative people seem to rise to the surface in times of need and despair. Thinking has to change. Call it more of a ‘survival’ thought process. I really don’t believe things are as tough as they are; but then I live in the Upper Midwest; isolated from the highs and lows most of the rest of the United States feels. In certain areas of the country; mainly places like Detroit and other areas where the manufacturers are cutting jobs left and right; I can easily see the difficulties that are facing those living there. I think we have gotten complacent and are not even close to hungry enough to fight the changes the rest of the world will cause us to experience. We look for working less, more time off and for recreation here in the U.S. In other countries, they are happy to work….period! So they don’t mind if it’s 80-100 hours a week. I’m not sure if that’s a passion or just sheer survival instincts. We have allowed a system that was created with good intentions; to put clamps on us and hold down our growth while encouraging other countries to catch up and even go ahead of us in certain areas. We have the brain power. We have the man power. So let’s get off our couches and figure out some solutions.

The people that I talk with about these changes usually have only 1 or 2 things that are affecting them. Most of them have lost some amount of money from the stock collapses. A lot of the time it’s money that was gained from their initial investment anyway; but still, it’s a loss. Other than that, it’s mostly a tightening of credit that has affected a majority of the people. Given what the media says; you’d think doom and gloom is walking on all the streets and we only  have a short time before everything goes black. I think that’s so far from the truth; but then truth is what you believe. Most people have not been affected at all; in fact with the price of gas going down recently, they’re possibly better off than they were a year ago. Yes, the reports show that spending is down and our retail stores are closing and laying off people. They never talk about how many new businesses open up in a monthly period; only the ones laying off. How about fair reporting and showing us the ‘good’ signs amidst the ‘bad’ ones?

So creatively, evaluate yourself. Your talents, your education, your good fortune and bad, your successes and failures, your triumphs and tragedies. Look hard at what your passion is. We only live on this earth once; so don’t get to your death bed and regret what you didn’t do. Take the time to plan and then work toward those goals. There are so many good things to work for on this earth; put your efforts behind what needs help in your ‘little corner of the world’ and make a difference. It is when each of us sees that the little things we do CAN help; that others will be inspired and join on this MIGHTY crusade to better the earth.

In the meantime, turn off the BAD news and laugh at the nay-sayers. You have the power to make a difference in your own life and in the world around you.