I’m a Vincent Van Gogh fan. Not the biggest geek who can spend hours talking about this amazing Dutch post-impressionist artist, but I really like his art, and his realisations. Somehow, they relate to me.

Before this day ends, I want to share some insights from Jobs. The movie showed the life of the late Steve Jobs while narrating the early years of the tech giant, Apple. Steve Jobs was someone who inspired the world, dreamt big and tried to change life, as we know it. I think he lived a sad life, though. Lost his friends and a lot of colleagues along the process. A result of his obsession with his visions, while sacrificing the windows (no pun intended) to deeply connect with people surrounding him. 

Sometimes I think that solitude comes with being extraordinary. You have to defy the tides in order to redirect it. It is an opportunity open for everyone, but not everyone is willing to face the risks in fear of failure. Therefore, making it a path less travelled. Nonetheless, you must be able to draw the fine line between prodigiousness and madness.

http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/JOBSposter.jpg

Although the movie did not establish a clear path to take, as it jumped from one detail to another, Ashton Kutcher did a stupendous job playing the title role. This is the first time I saw him take on a serious character and I must commend him for doing his homework, as he really resembles the man. His portrayal was able to deliver the emotional intensity of the visionary, as presented by the material he was given. But after watching the biopic, I personally found it hard to identify or connect with Jobs. Maybe it was his overdriven approach to his dreams and the lack of details that could’ve reasoned why he became an inspiration to many. In the end, I just chose to focus on the milestones that his company was able to accomplish.

When you have the gut feeling and the facts that says you’re on the right track, don’t allow anyone or anything convince you to believe otherwise. This is something I have been experiencing since I was a kid. I remember being told that writing isn’t for me because I was an art guy. However, I knew I wanted to write, and so I did. I became the Editor-in-Chief of our school paper, a year after I joined the organization. The opportunity to make a difference only comes once. The challenges should never come above your passion. It doesn’t matter if there are people who misunderstand you, feel short about your vision or refuse to support your goal. It is important that you stay firm on the things that make you who you are. The right people and the resources will come along the way. We all have to start somewhere, even if it means setting up an office in your garage or even if your initial computer looks like a scratch paper. Great things take time. Neither the present nor the past should cloud the future you want to build. Do not feel impatient and make haste. Someone once said that you make time and give power to who and what you love. The choices we make define us, create our uniqueness and build our greatness.

In my hope to spread inspiration with this blog, I will quote from some of my recent favorites.  Beginning with Saving Mr. Banks, a story of how Walt Disney was able to persuade P.L. (Pamela) Travers to give him the movie rights to “Mary Poppins”, in pursuit of keeping a promise he has made to his daughters. The story revolved on Pamela’s past, particularly how she looked up to her father, how she became uptight because of his death, and how she was able to let go of her pains in the end.

Though there has been a controversy on the inaccuracy of the film, I think there are notable points that came across in its story. One of which is when Walt visited Pamela in her home in England. Walt tried to break through Pamela’s self-built walls that prevented her from enjoying life and exploring her imagination like she used to as a child. Walt, being a constantly inspired and jolly guy, surprisingly shared his fear from his father, and how he was able to see beyond those doubts for a greater outlook we all dream of having.

Go watch Big Hero 6. That's the first thing that came into my mind, after seeing their super cute main character, Baymax. I think the same thing applies to my friends, considering how many of them posing with Baymax's installation flooded my news feed, weeks before the release. 

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Although I haven't seen Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, our father is so into it that it feels like I was able to watch it with him. This post isn't about the movie. Sorry. However, I saw this post by Rappler in Instagram that says 

"Calling all artists and movie lovers alike to send in your alternative movie posters for 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' and get a chance to win limited edition movie merchandise."

Again, I'm not that excited about the film but I was always encouraged to join contests or do something that will feed my soul. So I thought, why not give it a try? I also thought about The Artist in the Office. It asked the reader to make a list of the things that he/she would like to have in his/her day job. Mine includes creative freedom. I know it's broad. Nevertheless, it's being able to bring a part of you in the work space: breaking into song, doodling while thinking, making artworks during break, joining contests, etc. You don't have to do it alone or do it while working. Still, every employee should have the chance to do something for him/herself because it will keep the passion burning and help him/her deliver better.

So I'd love to hear one of the things in your list. Stay inspired. Later days!

Listening to Pompeii by Bastille

A little update (7-22-2014):

You may cast your votes by liking the poster, hopefully "II" and/or "Revolution", on Rappler's facebook page. Thank you for the suppport!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.803980162956102.1073741884.310621318958658&