David Steindl-Rast: Want to be happy? Be grateful

As photographers and artists we constantly strive to have that one piece of gear that will make everything better or get that golden client who launches your career. We rush through hoping to be the very best too quick and can get down when we look at other people who we think are better or more successful than us.

To be brutally honest, no camera or lens or light will make a photographer better. Looking up to great photographers can inspire but it can also destroy as you realize that you are not there (yet). The road is very hard and takes a lot of effort and work for most.

So have a look at what gear you have now and work with it. Strengthen your confidence by educating yourself on technique. Search for inspiration from other artists outside your discipline and get happy with you by having a healthy lifestyle and live with vitality. Work hard, play hard and draw your inspiration from within.

Brother David Steindl-Rast’s talk on TED makes you stop and think about what you have and the great character you are. Focus on you and your dreams, and treasure everything. Remember to Stop and look and then go.

Be awesome!