“Simplifying one’s life to extract its quintessence is the most rewarding of all the pursuits I have undertaken. It doesn’t mean giving up what is truly beneficial, but finding out what really matters and what brings lasting fulfillment, joy, serenity, and, above all, the irreplaceable boon of altruistic love. It means transforming oneself to better transform the world.” – Happiness, by Matthieu Ricard
I love books and I love to read. I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember, and I am so grateful to my parents for always having books and magazines lying around in our home while I was growing up. They transported me to other times and other worlds, and sparked my life-long love of learning and deep curiosity.
My favorites included classics by Mark Twain and John Steinbeck, science books, sci-fi books by Isaac Asimov (just to name a few), and many National Geographic magazines, where I discovered the power of photography.
Since then, I’ve learned and been inspired by many books that have influenced my photography and approach to creativity and life overall.
So this is the beginning of a new series where I’ll pair insights from books I’ve personally read with my own photography. Unlike randomly found quotes on the internet, these insights will be ideas that have resonated with me deeply and positively influenced my life.
I’m often asked for book recommendations, so this is another place I can share those together with the newsletter.
I hope you find these ideas and the images inspirational, and that they motivate you to explore the value of books in this attention economy. I also hope the quotes inform your own creative path.
And please share your comments and thoughts below!
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