Helpful Links
More Links to Inspire–your passion for life.
Stop Searching For Your Passions
A provocative TEDx talk on the value of pursuing “passions"
Creative Mornings, "a breakfast lecture series for the creative community,” has a terrific idea-generation section on their website called "Fun Stuff to Click On.” On that menu, click “Weekly Highlights."
An entertaining and enlivening series of interviews and explorations, hosted by Jeffrey Davis, that "raises counter-intuitive questions about how agile creatives and curious entrepreneurs can pursue a life of mastery and meaning.”
The website of Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative and Die Empty, dedicated to “teaching people and teams to be prolific, brilliant, & healthy, and sharing ideas and tools that help them thrive.”
The combined work of Heartmath co-founder Bruce Cryer and Emmy award- winning composer Gary Malkin, this site is devoted to awakening and reawakening inspiration in people’s lives, especially those in leadership and healthcare arenas.
Subtitled “What do you want to do before you die?” and based on a New York Times bestseller of the same name, the tag line describes this site as “Four regular guys on a mission to complete a list of '100 Things To Do Before You Die' and to help and encourage others to go after their own lists.”
Founded by author Bill Plotkin, the Animus Valley Institute offers wilderness immersions designed to encourage “an encounter with soul,” so that it becomes “a vessel for a person’s deepest, world-transforming gifts.”
Carl Sagan Series –video.
“Before I Die” is a global art project, begun by artist Candy Chang, that invites people to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in public spaces.
A website dedicated to inspiring people to create, expand and share their bucket lists.
A provocative lecture questioning the assumption that "follow your passion" is good advice.
A breathtaking ode to humanity's spirit of exploration, narrated by Carl Sagan.
A site dedicated to tapping the passions and skills of those in midlife and beyond, as a vital source of talent to benefit society.
The website of Brene Brown, author of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way we Live, Love, Parent and Lead, and a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work who has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. One of the most popular TED talkers, too.
This Portland, OR conference draws over 3,000 entrepreneurs/adventurers/go-getters, "people trying to live remarkable lives in a conventional world," according to organizer Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Nonconformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World.
Website of Jason Silva, creator of Shots of Awe, "a short film series of 'trailers for the mind' that serve as philosophical espresso shots exploring innovation, technology, creativity, futurism and the metaphysics of the imagination." Inspiring stuff, and Silva's a character!
TED Talk: "The Secret to Desire in a Long-term Relationship"
Esther Perel, author of Mating in Captivity.
An online program sponsored by AARP, designed to help people create the life they really want, from work and well-being to purpose and passion.
Among the most stimulating and eclectic blogs out there—and one that gets millions of hits a month---Brain Pickings is an absolute treasure-trove of inspiration on “how to live and what it means to lead a good life,” put together by Maria Popova, who calls herself "a hunter-gatherer of interestingness.”
Weekly stories from change-makers and culture-shapers who take initiative, trust their gut, and create revolutions in their work. "From minimalist world-travelers to tech founders to fashion designers and more, we hope these perspectives on failure and success will inspire you to explore, discover, act, and accomplish." Their mission statement goes on to say that “the most significant people you’ll ever meet are not the wealthies, the wisest, or the most connected. They’re people just like you—but who are two or three steps ahead."
An outfit, geared largely toward 20-30 somethings, that offers community-based programs and conferences to help people pursue their dreams.
Jim Carrey @ Golden Globe Awards, Video
Re a section in Vital Signs on fame-seeking, Jim Carrey’s remarks at Golden Globe Awards were spot-on and strikingly honest.
Author and leadership expert Simon Sinek’s inspiring discussion of the core of passionate leadership.
Supersoul Sunday talk: “Flight of the Hummingbird: The Curiosity Driven Life"
Author Elizabeth Gilbert talks about the importance of focusing not on passion but curiosity.
Mike Rowe, host of the TV series Dirty Jobs, on the counterintuitive notion that you should not follow your passions
A short video from a wonderful website called School of Life, devoted to "Developing Emotional Intelligence."
What is the Sunday Evening Feeling?
A short animated video which addresses the mood that often descends on people at that time of the day/week and is related to the feeling of mismatch between who they really are and what they do on Monday mornings.
A phenomenal collection of thought-pieces about claiming and reclaiming our humanity—and that of others.
Parker Palmer’s Commencement Speech, Naropa University, 2015