10 Things Giving Me Courage this Week
10 Things Giving Me Courage this Week
a breakthrough discovery in the business world | unforgettable words from Joseph Campbell | what I learnt from a Reel going viral | an awesome chef!
Joseph Campbell on being at one with the conditions of life
Campbell spent five years in a cabin reading. As The Great Depression shook society, he lived austerely, following the trail of books, deepening his knowledge.
I listened to “Pathways to Bliss” last winter while living in my van in remotest Scotland. Here is a moving passage:
“You can live in total affirmation. As one of the Buddhist aphorisms states marvellously: “this world, just as it is, with all its horror, all its darkness, all its brutality, is the golden Lotus world of perfection”. If you don’t see it as such, that’s not the worlds fault. You can’t improve what is perfect, you can only see it, and so come to realise your own perfection. That is to say: you can come to that depth in yourself which is deeper than the pains and sorrows.
Campbell credited these years as the “most important period of my scholarship and study.”
Whatever you dream: follow it in some form: whether 5 minutes or 5 years.
Courage is simply making space for it.
From James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits” (recommend!)
Many feel overwhelmed by what we are consuming, even crushed by it.
I think we consume rather than create because we mistrust our own voice. Why are we camouflaging our own spirit?
Courage is sharing your own gift.
What a Band!
While writing this I’m grooving to Grandbrothers. If you don’t know them, start with the song Bloodflow - so good!
Enjoying recovering self-discipline, particularly in resisting the whims of the belly. Yes, I’ve become a Keto bore!
Check out the YouTube channel Headbangers Kitchen - this guy puts a smile on my face every time!
My favourite tip - put onions and tomatoes into a blender. Cook anything in the sauce and you have a quick, tasty, healthy meal. Genius!
A Substack I Love
Magical; discovering the poetry of Andrea Gibson.
“Becoming was how I prayed”
One of My Instagram Reels Went Viral
The algorithm seems to have taken a shine to a reel I released last year - funny!
It’s just hit 550K - curious; it’s getting plenty of “likes” but not many “follows”
It’s very easy for creators to look jealously on other people’s content going viral
My takeaway is that it distracts us from our own path.
My advice: a) double down on your message b) never get expectant with something you release c) one meaningful online interaction trumps 550K semi-conscious browsers.
If you are trying to grow online this year: double down on quality and forget quantity
Courage is concentrating on your message and being consistent.
Learning from the business world
This year my own challenge within the arts is to become more entrepreneurial.
As such, I’m greatly enjoying feeding from the business sector.
A question: I’m considering sharing the growth of this newsletter as an open metric - is that something any of you would find useful?
A tip for solopreneurs: follow Justin Welsh
Courage is belief you can become something new.
One of the things I want to do this year is help people by sharing the knowledge I’ve accrued. For next weeks newsletter I am writing:
“A Guide for Artists Torn by Social Media”
This will be a free newsletter about how to revolutionise your approach and experience of social media.
If you would like to support - the best way is to subscribe!
Below you can find:
8) My best productivity tip 9) A reminder to all musicians 10) What the essence of courage is for me.
Much love! Jim
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to