Much thanks to Joel Zaslofsky from The Value of Simple for turning me on to this:
Neil Gaiman addressing the University of the Arts (Philadelphia) Class of 2012…
“Make Good Art!”
Neil Gaiman is only one of the most brilliant, original, life-inspiring fiction writers I know of … He wrote among other things: “Coraline”, “American Gods”, “Neverwhere” (with Terry Pratchett), and DC’s “Sandman” comics.
This message is for everybody, not just “artists” or “creatives” – we ALL could benefit from spotting our mountain and heading for it on purpose, every day of our lives.
If you’re sleep-walking through your life (like I did for so many years) I hope this helps to inspire you to Wake Up!
Curves 'n Angles 
April 1, 2013 at 1:05 pm
This guy is my new idol!
“I tended to do anything as long as it felt like an adventure and stopped when it felt like work. Which meant that life did not feel like work.”
-Stu
April 1, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Good Choice!
Check out *anything* else he’s written in the last 20 years, too ~ and be prepared to scrap whatever else ya planned to do, before you pick up one of his books… 🙂
April 1, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Have you been reading the “Resources” page on Value of Simple again, Karen? Someone should have warned you about that. 🙂
That video is amazing and it reminds me that I need to add some more to the video library. I’ve seen some TEDTalks lately that have blown…my…mind. What other videos have you seen recently that I should check out?
April 1, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Actually, I just this morning discovered that I’d made a Drafts note about this back *in January*(!), but had never finished and posted it!
(Most certainly found it first in your Resources, though… Which’d explain why I was never able to track it back to a “specific” post or comment of yours, wouldn’t it?)
~~~
Have you ever heard “Let The Day Begin!” by The Call? (I gave it its own page an’ everything, up at the top here ^^^)
It’s a music video from 1989. Great way to start *any* part of the day!
Thanks for the noodge to poke around in my Drafts and Bookmarks files – I’ll put more goodies up here, as I find (or re-find) ’em!
April 1, 2013 at 2:05 pm
Unlike many authors, it sounds as if he speaks as well as he writes. Love his message too. I am glad to hear someone remind us that that what feels like work ought to be avoided. And the adventurous/fun stuff ought to be sought. This is a fine principle by which to live. Thanks for sharing Karen J!!!
April 21, 2013 at 10:59 am
Oh, you’re most welcome, CJ!
Its important to remember, too, that there are almost always ways to make “what feels like work” -Feel- less so, by changing the ways we approach it!
April 1, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Karen, LOVED this video. Just watched it with tears in my eyes! Inspiring and great reminders.
I jotted notes while watching it. The question about choosing activities and asking if they are “taking me towards or away from the mountain” really resonated with me. I find myself doing that more and more. Sometimes it’s really hard, but it’s really important. I can’t wake up 20 years from now with a bunch of willy nilly things half done!
Thank you so much for sharing, Karen!
April 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Woof! that was excellent! It was inspiring, and direct, and funny to boot. it is interesting how I think that it may be possible for me to get my work out there. Thanks for sharing. Amy W.
July 30, 2013 at 12:47 am
Thanks for this, Karen. I’ve bookmarked it and will listen to it later.
March 6, 2014 at 1:27 am
Hey, Rohi!
If you’re still reading here, did you ever watch this? I know how “I’ll do that later”s get swallowed by time…
Happy almost-spring again!
June 30, 2017 at 9:50 am
thaks for that short story
June 30, 2017 at 11:46 am
Greetings, Baraka Michael!
Yes, isn’t that a most inspiring speech?
Thanks for stopping by – Please come again 🙂
June 30, 2017 at 11:37 pm
thank you too..
November 5, 2021 at 3:25 am
Yo — You see, I’m still around.
And I’m delighted that you are, too!
Bright Blessings to you ~