People are inspiring

Goodness gracious.

Such a long time since a post.

Not for a lack of desire.

Or things to talk about.

Rant about. Shout about.

Share and discuss … about.

It’s been …

… well, the litany of excuses could fill the page. So, let’s just say there are excuses and I’m tired of thinking of them already.

Something I wanted to write about a long time ago, when I first discovered it (and shared it with several people that I’m sure don’t read this) was this here video: 

It’s a fantastic 27-minute video primarily created to chronicle how a caricature artist works.

But, it proves to be so much more than that.

It’s inspiring.

Inspiring for the aspects of learning how to see someone.

Really see them.

Not just for how they look, but how the way a person looks outside shows whom they are inside.

All the details.

So the viewer sees the truth of the one they're looking at.

While many of us don’t know how to do this, this video might call attention to different details that can/should tell us more about those around us and in our lives.

Fear not if you're worried about being able to do this very well. For you must remember that our brains are more powerful than we give them credit for being (especially in others). So even when we don’t know how to look, we do see these details. And can access these subconscious acknowledgements later to reinforce why we like a person. Or don't.

But the video isn’t just inspiring for that reason.

It’s also inspiring because of the subject: Conan O'Brien. 

Surely there was no coincidence in choosing this magnitude of man for this study.

He himself is one of the more fascinating persons that exist today, for a few reasons.

1)   He’s famous.

2)   He’s talented.

3)   He’s real.

4)   He’s a performer with a sense of pride about his work, without a selfish pride about himself with passionate desire to relate to his audience in a genuine, interesting, educated and, of course for him, funny way.

Basically, he is a man of respect, which, in turn, commands it.

Inherently.

Many would chalk this up to him being such a media force in a media-driven age.

That he isn’t really all that great, but we think so because we see him everywhere on TV (and Facebook and Twitter and YouTube). An area of the world so inundated by idiots that anyone with half a brain or personality shines ever brighter.

However, as anyone that has true and genuine heroes and idols, like presidents or authors or moguls of any situation knows; humble, powerful and respect-worthy leaders who provide inspiration deserve admiration despite their locale.

You can see that in an article that was also recently posted by Fast Company (a great resource for, well, everything) on how Conan approaches creativity. Read it here (guide to creativity).  Here you see so many applications outside the realm of a comedian or TV personality.

Hmm.

This post seems to have taken a Conan-centric tone, but let me assure you that I have other heroes. Not that my heroes should be yours, or necessarily yours mine. Or that I feel a need to necessarily defend my choice of heroes.

But all my heroes (ALL heroes in general) are ones that employ the faculties of creativity by way of passion, education, preparation, tenacity and overall selflessness to the cause which they are leading the way in.