I was in NYC the other day and saw this guy making huge bubbles with a home made gizmo he created (looked like some rope, poles and a bucket of soapy water). I watched as several people gathered around to give it a try, and those who decided to just look on from the sidelines couldn’t help but smile.
It got me thinking. There’s nothing new about bubbles. We see them daily. As kids we spend hours blowing bubbles, chasing them, watching them pop or fade out of site. So how did this guy manage to capture every one’s attention? I believe there’s a creative principle at work here. Taking what’s ordinary and adding a twist to it – something unexpected. In this case, the ordinary (bubbles) is presented in an unexpected way (the huge size). I believe some of the best ideas are simple ones that take the ordinary and present them with a twist. What’s something ordinary in your world that’s waiting to be presented with a twist?
It’s easy to waste small amounts of time. After all, what can you possibly do in a short amount of time that could amount to anything right?
Actually, there is a lot that can be said for those seemingly insignificant moments. Read a few pages in a book. Send an encouraging email. Sing a silly song with your kids. Pray for a friend or loved one. These are the building blocks to great things. You read a book one page at a time. You get into shape (or so I’ve heard) exercising a little a time. A little can go a long way.
What are you building today? One brick at a time…
Ok photographers, I have a Canon T1i & I’m looking for a zoom lens (maybe 75 – 300). I was looking at this one but not sure what features I should consider. Sound off on your suggestions. Nothing crazy expensive. Go…
I’m hoping that you’ll take a moment and help me answer a question. I’m truly interested in the answer.
Here goes: How has design (graphic or otherwise) and/or art helped you?
That’s it. My thoughts behind this question relate to how we can create for ourselves (so that we feel good about our abilities, stroke the ego…) or we can create for the benefit for others (somehow enrich other peoples lives and experiences). I remember how when I was younger I loved to make my own cards for people. It was using my talent to create something for someone else. When I was in my teen years, I used to draw cartoons on envelopes of pen pals (yes before email… no smart remarks please). I now see my young daughters making cards and drawing pictures for other people, which brings joy to me. It just makes me wonder how all this creating of design & art is effecting other people (if it is). What are you thoughts? As an artist & designer I would really love to know. Share your insights, please!
Pure awesomeness. Let’s try this in church sometime.
Inspiration flashback:
Are you crazy enough to think you can change the world?
I’ve been reading through the book of Numbers in the Bible. The other day I read the following passage:
Numbers 9
15 On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. 16 This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. 18 In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. 19 If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. 20 Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. 22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. 23 So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.
This passage always reminds me of the kind of dependence upon God of how we should live, especially in times of transition. If God says go, the Israelites go. If He says stop, they stop. Fire & cloud. Sometimes a few days. Sometimes only overnight. God knew where He was leading them to, even if they had no idea. Imagine taking a road trip where you aren’t sure where “there” is, and God says “I’ll tell you when you get ‘there’. In the meanwhile, wait on me. Go when I say go. Stop when I say stop.” And all the while, the Israelites travel in the presence of God. That’s a far cry from what we usually lean towards – “Let me blaze my own trail. Oh yeah, and God, can you bless my efforts?”
What’s the weather looking like? Cloudy with a chance of fire? Wait on God...
So I’m at the Drive conference at North Point. There was a “Tweet-up” that was happening earlier today that I was interested in going to but my traveling companions were pretty tired & we had gotten to our hotel late. I was looking for a ride. Rather than try to inconvenience someone, I used Twitter to see if someone else who was going to Drive might have been at the same hotel. Imagine my surprise when about 5 minutes after tweeting, I get a direct message from @driveconference saying that someone would swing by my hotel & pick me up & bring me to the tweet-up. 10 minutes later, Krista and Stuart were at the front door of the hotel ready to pick me up. Crazy. They took “Drive” to a whole new level for me. That’s why I love this conference. It’s all the little things. I love the attention to detail. Clearly, they are taking a page out of Disney’s book. Today, they made this guest feel valued. Thanks to all the folks who work so hard behind the scenes at Drive. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thanks to Krista & Stuart for the ride (and great conversation).
…a photo I took the other day. Somebody left this on the bench in the park. And no, I didn’t take it.
