Do you remember what you were doing between the 29th of April and the 10th of May 2011? Whether you do or don’t, this was happening in the Arctic, on the archipelago Lofoten in Norway. The film, made by Terje Sørgjerd, captures a natural phenomenon that he calls ‘The Arctic Light’. He says: “The Sunset and Sunrise are connected in one magnificent show of color and light lasting from 8 to 12 hours. The sun is barely going below the horizon before coming up again. This is the most colorful light that I know, and the main reason I have been going up there for the last 4 years to photograph”. As for myself: I can almost feel the fresh air running through my nose, filling my lungs. It’s like a little meditation. For more information about the film see this.
Enter the gates of the Burning Man Festival, a week-long annual event held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, USA. Wikipedia says: “The event is described by many participants as an experiment in community, radical self-expression and radical self-reliance. In my own words: it’s a celebration of jaw dropping creativity from people all over the world. This video is like a road trip, giving you an impression, with the both uplifting and melancholic remix of the song ‘Hide and Seek’ by Imogen Heap, as the perfect soundtrack. For more information about the festival, check out this.
This short film takes you from planet earth through our atmosphere and the inky black of space to the afterglow of the Big Bang. Every star, planet, and quasar seen in the film is possible because of the world’s most complete four-dimensional map of the universe. Sit back, relax and be amazed. Warning: you may feel a little small afterwards, but seen from the bright side; so are your problems!
I’ve always loved this scene from the 1995 movie Forrest Gump. It’s about Forrest who’s life has become complicated to handle, so on one morning he decides to go for a little run. While running he decides to run a little further, and further, and ultimately running from ocean to ocean, clear across the country. Finally after more than 3 years of running he decides to stop and go home. He reflects on this later saying: “My mother always told me: you’ve got to let the past behind you, before you can go on. And that’s what my run was all about”. It was about clearing his mind. This scene captures this process of clearing the mind – or a journey if you will – in a truly beautiful way, accompanied with some great music. Whenever I see this, it actually clears my mind too.
Do you have enough fun? In your work, at home or wherever? I’m sure you’ll say yes, as we all like to think we have enough fun in our lives. But what is fun exactly, let’s focus on that for a moment. Box of Crayons made a great video that demonstrates 8 principles of fun that will instantly bring you in the mood for adding (more) fun to your life. So, take moment and have… fun!
This is, if not the most famous, at least the most inspirational speech by Steve Jobs, who died yesterday, october 5th 2011, at the age of 56. The former chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios urges Stanford University graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks, including death itself. It’s a remarkably personal speech and makes you want to grab every inch life has to offer you. Stay hungry, stay foolish. To learn more on how to stay foolish, please read this post and this post and this column.
You’ve heard this song before, I’m sure. I recently came across it and listened to it again. And though I always thought of it as a ‘funny’ song, it’s lyrics – so I found out – are just great. Simple and soothing, just like the tune itself. By the way, At the 1989 Grammy Awards, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” won the awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Not to mention the video, with a cameo by Robin Williams. So, just for a moment sit back and relax. Enjoy this great little happy tune. Oh, you want to get some more information? Check out: this.