In his autobiography, The Kid Stays in the Picture, film producer Robert Evans (Love Story, Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown, etc.) attributed the success of his many hits to the notion that “it’s not about where it’s at, it’s about how it feels.” He was saying, in post-hippie-era lingo, that while other studios at the time offered trendiness and spectacle, he was making films that aimed at making an emotional connection to the audience.
That’s a good phrase to keep in mind, especially for people like me who get so wrapped up in big ideas and concepts that they risk overlooking the importance of bringing it all down to a human level that others can connect with.
Wow, that’s so true. As a story teller I struggle with that a lot– it’s tempting to write using formulas rather than asking, “What would be cool? What feels right?”
I came back looking to see if you had ever posted that set of drawings about Abraham and Isaac (you did draw that story once, didn’t you?) – I was very happy to come on this set. I love how you weave together your love for God and deep spiritual knowledge in with your incredible artwork (Jennie and I especially love the epic page of the sun blasting the giant man standing on the world). I know you will be blessed in your efforts!
mister, you’ve definitely put me in deep thought, i’ve done many things, but i cant determine what i am yet, i sketch alot and draw, but i also do alot of story writing as well, does that prove who i can be? the art of impact is very big to me, ( oh dear, i need to sink back into my thoughts again )
The love for fish vs teach to fish differences don’t work well for me. It isn’t clear why love for fish would allow him to eat fish forever or how those are distinct.
Really though teaching to fish doesn’t mean you eat fish forever unless you forbid him from doing what any fisherman would do – sell his fish for something else. The point of teaching is to create a skill that is valued by others, which is why it lasts longer than charity. Being able to participate in your economy is really uplifting.
What is the true difference between the skill and the love of the practice? Perhaps the meaningfulness of the work, although its certainly possible that people find meaning in their life outside their work (family, etc) and work is just a means to an end. It still seems to me that loving your work is a direct way to provide you satisifaction with the time spent – turning a chore or the “grind” into a passion. Passion begets sacredness, both good and bad; pride in work that you think is worthwhile, care and consideration in your work, making it a higher priority and spending more time and energy into it than needed to get the basic value out of it. But time at work is time not spent elsewhere, and to value “hard work” or time spent working regardless of the cost is a mistake too. Plus there are lots of things that aren’t directly valued by others (i.e. work) but have huge indirect benefits (parenting, etc).
Because, if you teach him to fish, but he doesn’t like fishing, he will eventually start to hate eating fish, and when you hate doing something, especially if that thing is your only means to acquire food, you will begin to get stressed out, shortening your lifespan and making you more prone to illness.
When somebody puts their heart into it, they actually benefit from what they are doing because they love doing it. Or to put it this way, like somebody working their dream job, they would feel happy and fulfilled because they love what they are doing. Those who don’t get their “dream job” have their heart stuck on something they can’t have, stressing themeselves out. Part of the message is that the change of your heart starts with you.
And if you can learn to put your heart into something, you will improve your life. You can do this by reading or seeing something that will allow your heart to be able to like what you are doing and enjoy it. People are skilled at rejecting new concepts out of protection, but its hard to like something or see it in a new light. It also takes talent to teach somebody to love something they are doing.
If a person can help people to use their heart and love to do something, that is a great service to humanity, which plagues itself with self-doubt and delusion, preventing happiness that is within reach or there the whole time.
Even this snippet of your next book makes me gulp. I have been really, really unhappy with my current job and keep thinking “well my whole life would be different and better if I had a different job!” and struggling to make doing the job I have (and don’t care for) a whole-hearted act of worship. Thanks for pointing out to me that I really need to watch my (heart) attitude.
I’m French and grew up reading comics, and in France it’s such a huge culture. Now, you brought a smile to my face and my heart: you are one talented artist, your message is strong and there isn’t a best way to pass it with a comic. Ah yes, maybe practice what you read!
I’m a fan from now on!
I find this piece very compelling. It’s trganualir shape works for me formally, calling to mind the trinity represented in the church, yet the shape of the leaf is paganistic, like the Birth of Venus. It makes me very melancholy and nostalgic, as if it’s reminding me of a time when religious idols and sexual attraction weren’t divorced (something we now are forced to find in pop-idols). I’m still trying to figure out what to do with the face in the window. But I do know that it’s necessary. It’s what upsets the gentleness of the image and keeps me enraptured. Nice.
Wow – such profound simplicity. I’m at a crossroads in my life and not being able to pursue directly the profession for which I qualified. Your thoughts here have triggered a conviction in me – in the midst of all my deliberations and concerns about sacrificing a lucrative career to do what I really want to do, I had forgotten the true meaning of vocation. So funny how God works! Thanks Stephan. God bless your ministry.
This is amazing Stephen!!! These essays are incredibly insightful and poignant! Can’t wait to see the next book! Keep em’ coming man!
Will do, thanks Ben!
Great stuff!!!!
Beautiful and insightful. Keep up the great work!
In his autobiography, The Kid Stays in the Picture, film producer Robert Evans (Love Story, Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown, etc.) attributed the success of his many hits to the notion that “it’s not about where it’s at, it’s about how it feels.” He was saying, in post-hippie-era lingo, that while other studios at the time offered trendiness and spectacle, he was making films that aimed at making an emotional connection to the audience.
That’s a good phrase to keep in mind, especially for people like me who get so wrapped up in big ideas and concepts that they risk overlooking the importance of bringing it all down to a human level that others can connect with.
Wow, that’s so true. As a story teller I struggle with that a lot– it’s tempting to write using formulas rather than asking, “What would be cool? What feels right?”
A lot of the themes in this sound a lot like this TED talk.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en
It’s fantastic.
Yep– I need to make make a sources cited post for this book because Simon Sinek will definitely be on it.
Wow, off to a great start!
Thanks Shaun!
Wow! insightful like always! can’t wait to the next one…
[…] 圖片來源：https://doodlealley.com/2014/08/29/who-you-are-determines-what-you-do/ 延伸閱讀──[哲思漫筆] 這個世界需要真實活著的人 […]
So good to have discovered your work here. Thank you.
after reading this, i felt inspired. wrote a song on my take away from your lovely illustrations and message. link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Faq2TudBb-U
can’t wait to read the rest!
Woah, this is so cool! Can I share this as a blog post?
I came back looking to see if you had ever posted that set of drawings about Abraham and Isaac (you did draw that story once, didn’t you?) – I was very happy to come on this set. I love how you weave together your love for God and deep spiritual knowledge in with your incredible artwork (Jennie and I especially love the epic page of the sun blasting the giant man standing on the world). I know you will be blessed in your efforts!
Yeah– that was a long time ago– I wonder where that is. Thanks dude!
mister, you’ve definitely put me in deep thought, i’ve done many things, but i cant determine what i am yet, i sketch alot and draw, but i also do alot of story writing as well, does that prove who i can be? the art of impact is very big to me, ( oh dear, i need to sink back into my thoughts again )
I loved your book and I can’t to get my hands, mind and heart wrapped around the next one! Loved this essay!
Thanks Oasim!
This is amazing! I can’t wait for the rest. Well, I actually can, and will do. haha
Keep it up
The love for fish vs teach to fish differences don’t work well for me. It isn’t clear why love for fish would allow him to eat fish forever or how those are distinct.
Really though teaching to fish doesn’t mean you eat fish forever unless you forbid him from doing what any fisherman would do – sell his fish for something else. The point of teaching is to create a skill that is valued by others, which is why it lasts longer than charity. Being able to participate in your economy is really uplifting.
What is the true difference between the skill and the love of the practice? Perhaps the meaningfulness of the work, although its certainly possible that people find meaning in their life outside their work (family, etc) and work is just a means to an end. It still seems to me that loving your work is a direct way to provide you satisifaction with the time spent – turning a chore or the “grind” into a passion. Passion begets sacredness, both good and bad; pride in work that you think is worthwhile, care and consideration in your work, making it a higher priority and spending more time and energy into it than needed to get the basic value out of it. But time at work is time not spent elsewhere, and to value “hard work” or time spent working regardless of the cost is a mistake too. Plus there are lots of things that aren’t directly valued by others (i.e. work) but have huge indirect benefits (parenting, etc).
Because, if you teach him to fish, but he doesn’t like fishing, he will eventually start to hate eating fish, and when you hate doing something, especially if that thing is your only means to acquire food, you will begin to get stressed out, shortening your lifespan and making you more prone to illness.
When somebody puts their heart into it, they actually benefit from what they are doing because they love doing it. Or to put it this way, like somebody working their dream job, they would feel happy and fulfilled because they love what they are doing. Those who don’t get their “dream job” have their heart stuck on something they can’t have, stressing themeselves out. Part of the message is that the change of your heart starts with you.
And if you can learn to put your heart into something, you will improve your life. You can do this by reading or seeing something that will allow your heart to be able to like what you are doing and enjoy it. People are skilled at rejecting new concepts out of protection, but its hard to like something or see it in a new light. It also takes talent to teach somebody to love something they are doing.
If a person can help people to use their heart and love to do something, that is a great service to humanity, which plagues itself with self-doubt and delusion, preventing happiness that is within reach or there the whole time.
You are very skilled at distilling deep issues to a heart level. Keep up the good work!
Even this snippet of your next book makes me gulp. I have been really, really unhappy with my current job and keep thinking “well my whole life would be different and better if I had a different job!” and struggling to make doing the job I have (and don’t care for) a whole-hearted act of worship. Thanks for pointing out to me that I really need to watch my (heart) attitude.
Worship is essential– it’s all about the heart!
Steven, this is mind blowing.
I feel you are writing from your heart and it has reached my heart too.
I have never seen such a beautiful essay.
Wish all your dreams come true as you are simply awesome.
I’m French and grew up reading comics, and in France it’s such a huge culture. Now, you brought a smile to my face and my heart: you are one talented artist, your message is strong and there isn’t a best way to pass it with a comic. Ah yes, maybe practice what you read!
I’m a fan from now on!
I find this piece very compelling. It’s trganualir shape works for me formally, calling to mind the trinity represented in the church, yet the shape of the leaf is paganistic, like the Birth of Venus. It makes me very melancholy and nostalgic, as if it’s reminding me of a time when religious idols and sexual attraction weren’t divorced (something we now are forced to find in pop-idols). I’m still trying to figure out what to do with the face in the window. But I do know that it’s necessary. It’s what upsets the gentleness of the image and keeps me enraptured. Nice.
Wow – such profound simplicity. I’m at a crossroads in my life and not being able to pursue directly the profession for which I qualified. Your thoughts here have triggered a conviction in me – in the midst of all my deliberations and concerns about sacrificing a lucrative career to do what I really want to do, I had forgotten the true meaning of vocation. So funny how God works! Thanks Stephan. God bless your ministry.