“Human creativity is nature manifest in us.” — Ethan Hawke
I was finishing up my photography assignments Saturday. There was a page of resources the professor left for us. Included with short videos by famous photographers discussing their work was this gem of a TED Talk by Ethan Hawke, actor, writer and film director.
It’s definitely worth the less than 10 minutes to hear his views about creativity, humanity, and our connections with each other. He discusses that our own enemy is wanting to create something of importance or something great. In Hawke’s opinion, children throw themselves into any project with abandonment. They don’t care if they’re “good” or not. They are willing to try and don’t bring habits into the project.
Happy Monday and enjoy this TED Talk.
After watching this video, what impressed you?
How did you find it helpful for your own writing or blogging?
I have to watch this later!
It’s worth it! I think it helps me more with writing than photography.
💕
Love Ethan Hawke…and like LA, I’ll circle back later to watch. Thank you! 🥰
He had so many words of wisdom to share. Yes, I love Ethan Hawke too.
Yes! I agree with this so much. The only thing I consistently find missing in messages like these are that God created us with our loves intact, intentionally, for divine purpose. There is an element of allowing Him to reveal and guide those loves, to do what He meant for us to do for His world, that is necessary for true fulfillment. We are uniquely equipped to be exactly what the world needs, in this point in history, where we live, for those in our reach… and not to know ourselves and what we’re created to offer, is to rob us and our world of whatever that is. God knows exactly what, why, how, etc. and He wants to talk with us about it all. We need to be in relationship with Him to offer our utmost potential. I truly believe that and I’m discovering it to be true more and more, as I talk to God about it. ❤️ Blessings, my friend!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your insight and faith.
Oh, such a good point about how we filter our pursuits before we’ve even started. Thank you, Elizabeth!
It hit home with me. Sometimes we try too hard!
As a member of TED, I’ve seen that video before, but it was worth another looksee. Basically, it reminds us to follow our passion. Somebody once said that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Somebody wiser said that if you do what you love, you’ll work your ass off. As a writer, I’m working my ass off to write the stories that I want the world to hear, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Yes, I think you summed up the TED talk well. I’ve heard that too that if you do what you’ll love you’ll never work a day in your life. So good!
Love Hawke’s idea that we are connected more than we are different. We tend to think we’re all unique but deep down we have a lot of the same hopes and dreams.
So true. I found Hawke had so many words of wisdom and a really simple way of expressing it.
I agree that his points are well put. It’s good to be reminded of how we did things as children without being so hung up on results. (Well, I did pick up that habit way too young and I still have a bit of the perfectionist in me). I still find joy in creating, though, even if no one else likes what I create.
Thanks for your comment. I remember many of my childhood creations as being very messy or not perfect. But I continued doing them.
He is quite inspiring with his genuine advice.
That is exactly how I felt.
🙏🏼👌🏼👍🏼
I agree that if all you’re thinking about is good or bad [outside judgement] or if you’re only focused on the data [dollar signs], you’ll stifle your creativity.
I agree too. There’s so much that can stifle our creativity. We’re our own worst enemy.
We were created to create! I believe the desire to create something lives within every one of us. The issue becomes when we think we need to create to please others or worry about what someone else thinks. Nature is full of creativity!
Well said. We get in our own way of being creative.
He shares a lot of wisdom: Do what you love! Be the fool! I listened quickly but will listen again. Thanks for sharing!
I thought it was good. I’m glad my photography professor included it in our week’s work.
I agree! I’m glad you shared it. 🙂
Thanks!
Very inspiring talk