From The Journal of Eugène Delacroix. Trans. Lucy Norton, (London: Phaidon Press, 1995), pp. 1
"I am beginning my journal; the journal I have so often planned to write. My keenest wish is to remember that I am writing only for myself; this will keep me truthful, I hope, and it will do me good. These pages will reproach me for my instability. I am beginning in good spirits."
Quick Takes:
INERTIA: “I am beginning my journal” I wonder if this was Delacroix’s way of getting past the resistance to write. I use a similar trick when I lack the motivation to journal. I open with, “I haven’t written on here in a while” then proceed to give reasons for not doing so. Before I realise it, I've written over a thousand words.
@klhicks912 "Clear your head" exercise. Just start writing and don't stop for about 15 minutes. Write whatever is in your conscious mind: my foot is falling asleep because I'm leaning over my keyboard in a stupid way. I need a better seating arrangement. I wonder if I could get something-1/2INTENT: It’s Delacroix's declaration of intent – simple and straight to the point. Words are like spells, and Delacroix, like a magician, summoned every particle in his being to help him with his aim. It’s the equivalent of God's declaration in the Bible, "Let there be light, and there was light."
Before we can persuade the rest of the world of our intentions, the first person we need to convince is ourselves.
The self is not a single, unified entity, but is made up of multiple, conflicting voices. These voices are in constant dialogue with each other, and the self is constantly changing as a result of this dialogue.
Some of the questions and worries that our internal selves raise must somehow be addressed.
One must answer questions like, “Why am I doing this?”
And try to avoid vague claims like, “I am trying to save the world.” Oftentimes, your selves can see through your lies.
SPELLS: Over time, even the most powerful spells lose their potency. For example, Nike's slogan "Just do it" stopped meaning much to both existing or potential customers. If anything, it now evokes feeling of guilt. The sight of your Nike running shoes will only remind you of how long it’s been since you went for a jog or used your gym membership. The slogan may as well be, “You didn’t do it.”
We are increasingly interested in brands that reflect our values and that we can identify with. We want to buy from brands that we believe in and that share our vision for the future.
How we want to live and what matters to us are changing, and brands must adapt to stay relevant.
I'm not sure what it is about Nike's roster of star athletes, but they don't inspire much emotion in me.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are some Nike athletes who I really admire and respect. I'm a big fan of Serena Williams, for example, and I think she's an amazing role model for young women everywhere. I also think Tiger Woods is a great athlete and an impressive individual, despite his personal struggles in recent years. But even these athletes don't really get me all that excited about Nike as a brand.
Since I'll never measure up to Serena Williams's prowess or Hussein Bolt's speed, I find it easier to relate to Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick managed to stick his neck out by taking a stand against racial injustice and police brutality. He risked his career and reputation to speak out against these issues, and he has inspired other athletes to do the same.
While some people may disagree with his methods, there is no denying that he is a brave and courageous individual. He brought attention to important issues that needed to be addressed, and has shown that one person can make a difference.
Kaepernick's stance and Nike's support of him made a strong impression on people. For many, Kaepernick became a hero.
For Nike, this was a massive gamble that resulted in a $3.75 billion loss within the first few days of their support. But that stance paid off in the long run.
Perhaps I am a bit biased but I admire brands and individuals who risk their reputations for good causes. What’s the use of status if you can’t risk it
I think it is important for all of us to use our voices and our platform to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means that we will be met with criticism.
Thanks so much for reading. If there's anything you'd like to chat about further, or if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you. :)