Jeff Dolan

From Tired To Inspired

By Jeff Dolan | Published: March 6, 2010

Photo: doug88888.

You probably feel tired. Tired of being yourself. You want to escape and be anything but under the particular burdens that weigh on you daily. Planted where you are, your environment is anything but favorable to be who you really want to be.

Each day you have a choice. You can choose to bloom or wither away in obscurity.

Many of us are so self-defeating, we do not even realize the negative self-talk we tell ourselves. Ever so quietly and constantly, we whisper to ourselves the lie that no one cares about us. No one cares what we have to say. To write. To share. To create. To give. Blooming is for them. Not us. We are nothing special.

And it’s one of the most damaging lies we can tell ourselves. We all have our time to bloom. And it’s never too late. I will finish with a story about a little red flower that illustrates this well.

I pulled into a gas station not too long ago on a road trip. I was tired. It was a blinding sunny day. The kind of day that forces you to look down to avoid the glare of windshields hurting your eyes. The highway nearby was racing with people going about their business, and I could feel the air billowing off the street after each speeding pass. As I stood there pumping gas, I noticed something simple yet profoundly moving.

Right next to the highway, in a small patch of weeds wedged in between the highway railing and concrete stood a bright red flower. How it got there, I will never know, but it was so encouraging to see that I had to tell my friends and now share it with you in writing. Its simple presence told me a few things about life and what it means to bloom where you are planted.

It does not matter where you find yourself.
It does not matter if everyone around you doesn’t care.
You might risk no one appreciating you.
You could be surrounded by weeds that are trying to choke you out.
In the big scheme of things, you will be insignificant.
There is a large chance no one will remember your magnificence.
You will feel the heat of those blowing by you at 90 m.p.h.
You will need courage.

This beautiful, courageous flower did not care about anyone or anything. It just did all that it could do — bloom. It could not move to a place where people could appreciate it, celebrate it, or recognize its beauty. It was drama free. It did not complain. It did not blame. It knew its purpose. Surrounded by weeds and car exhaust, it had every reason to give up and just die. But it did not. It reached to the sky with all its strength, screaming “I am here! I am here!” Despite its place in a world infinitely larger than itself, it gracefully took its place with honor. And it inspired me immensely. I hope you are inspired as well.

Posted in God | 2 Comments

Transforming Takes Time

By Jeff Dolan | Published: February 13, 2010

Video: Zack Arias.

One year ago this month, photographer Zack Arias posted a video called Transform that made an impression on me. He poured his heart out in a very open and vulnerable way that spoke to the things I believe many of us struggle with as photographers, designers, artists, and creatives of all stripes. Although a photographer, he used video to tell his story in a powerful way. I believe this method of communicating will continue to explode online as a new generation of kids grow up on YouTube and television.

The specialists like Zack are starting to realize that the new social media (now just the media) world we now live in will demand even more skills out of niche players than ever before. Photographers must now be web designers, social media experts, producers, directors, workshop hosts, and many other things to stay in business and compete. The pace can turn any creative into a heap of overwhelm. What Zack says in his video is key to overcome this shift we are now experiencing in every industry from music to photography to film to publishing.

Posted in Photography | 2 Comments

Where is God in Haiti?

By Jeff Dolan | Published: January 22, 2010

Photo: Logan Abassi / The United Nations.

As the recent devastation in Haiti flashes across our screens in vivid high-definition, I hear many whispering under their breath, “Where is God? If He is so loving, how could He let this happen? Why do so many have to suffer? God, the children! Jesus, where is Your compassion?” Others are so numb and desensitized to the constant march of blood and violence in the media, they rationalize it away or pretend they have all the answers to somehow make themselves feel better.

The truth is, when disaster strikes, the answers are irrelevant. The solution is love. And love, or charity as some prefer, takes action. Charity doesn’t search for answers or try to rationalize suffering. It rushes to the rescue.

The day after the earthquake, Bill O’Reilly had no trouble sizing up the situation on his January 13th Talking Points spot entitled “Haiti, liberalism and America.” Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush co-wrote an Op-Ed in the New York Times. Musicians from every genre and style banded together seemingly overnight to record and play benefit concerts. Pat Robertson stirred up a firestorm with his comments, and the responses were even stronger. I found the responses from Don Miller and the Star Tribune in Minneapolis particularly worth a read. Photographers on the ground in Haiti captured every moment. Countries all over the world weighed in and sent their support. The earthquake became something more.

It became an opportunity to love. To be the hands and feet of Jesus when He healed the sick.

Charity cannot exist in a vacuum. It does not exist outside of people overflowing into the lives of other people. God doesn’t promise us safety from earthly disasters, but He does expect His body of believers to be God to those around them. To comfort the sick, feed the hungry, and shelter the needy. Where is God in Haiti? He is serving through compassionate hearts in every capacity every minute. He is the helping hand bandaging the bruised. He is charity in Haiti.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,”
— Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

Posted in God | 3 Comments

How To Live Artfully

By Jeff Dolan | Published: January 14, 2010

Artful composition of dog in foreground, woman walking toward open door in background

Photo: Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

This week took me on business out of state. I travel light, and when it came to swipe my credit card at the airport terminal, I realized I was a few grams too light. My credit card had taken a vacation the night before and had an away message in its place. “Dear Owner, you’re screwed.”

I took a deep breath and smiled. I felt like James Bond. How would I hop a flight, rent a car, eat, stay in a hotel, do business, and get back home safely without any form of currency? I only carry two things in my wallet — my driver’s license, and my credit card. Both memorized. If you rob me, have fun while you can. The card carries a very low balance, the license is old, and if I find you there will only be one story. My story.

Posted in Art | 2 Comments

The Oxygen and Fire Principle

By Jeff Dolan | Published: December 27, 2009

Photo: Reinante El Pintor de Fuego.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:”
—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Almost. Did you see that spark? There! It’s catching. Guard it from the wind! Now blow on it! What? It needs oxygen! Dang it. You blew it out. Let me try.

If you have ever started a fire or tried to start one, this exchange sounds amusingly familiar. I smile remembering us little scouts hovering around a campfire, taking turns striking and blowing at the embers until it grew into a victorious furnace of heat. Back then we did not realize the principle we were learning.

As the fires of life sparked, raged or fizzled, the magical interplay between oxygen and fire started to take on new meaning. If you apply oxygen at the right time in the right amount, you will have a wonderful growing fire. And if you apply too much oxygen too early or not enough, you won’t. Building fires reminds me to ask the question elsewhere in life, is my timing and intensity off? Sometimes we strive and toil at something so hard, we miss this key question and principle.

Sometimes all it takes is adjusting your timing and intensity to turn a negative into a positive.

See if you can apply this principle in your life. The next time your life serves up a situation that is not quite working out in a positive way, don’t give up before identifying the oxygen and fire, then applying the principle. Is this the best time? Is this the right amount? I hope this serves you well.

Posted in God | 1 Comment

Trust At Your Own Risk

By Jeff Dolan | Published: December 21, 2009

Photo: Cia de Foto.

“doveriai, no proveriai” {Trust, but verify.}
—Russian proverb

We trust entirely too easily. And it’s damaging our health. Let alone our bank accounts, our children, and our lives. We are so oblivious to the depth of our trust in things undeserving that the mere thought of questioning them sends us immediately into denial. To admit our naivety or irresponsibility is unthinkable. We rest in the wisdom of the herd; let the consequences be damned. We prefer to slide through life and not rock the boat rather than have to deal with the truth. I hope if you are reading this, you’re a rocker not a roller.

Posted in God, Health | 1 Comment

Be Your Own Top Priority

By Jeff Dolan | Published: December 13, 2009

Photo: Ansel Adams.

As you reflect on the year ahead, you are bound to think about the things that matter to you above everything else. Your priorities. Sure, you may set goals or resolutions. You may even be struggling just to stay afloat. But the things that hold the most value to you will always trump these. No matter what, I hope you include your health as one of your top priorities this year. Your other priorities depend on it.

You may have nodded and said, “Got it. Losing weight is my top priority this year!” That’s great, but that’s not a priority.

When I think priorities, I am thinking about my relationships, my health, my finances, my work, my home. At any given moment, I am deciding what takes priority in my life. Do I catch this really funny show on television or call my friend to go running? I am juggling something that is entertainment, which is cool yet not even on my top five list, and my health, which comes in at number two. And if I choose wisely, I am also building a better relationship and having fun too. I believe they call that a twofer.

Posted in Health | 3 Comments

7 Attitudes To Lose Before You Can Lose Weight

By Jeff Dolan | Published: December 7, 2009

Photo: Marina.

The first thing we do when we decide to get in shape is to start running or working out hard. The harder and longer we work out, we reason, the more weight we will lose and bam! Case closed! Eventually, we either tire out and make up excuses for why we cannot keep up such a crazy routine, or we do that routine for months and months and get no where. Let’s take a closer look at the roadblocks holding us back.

Notice we must first decide to get in shape. This is critical. Deciding is thinking. Thinking begets doing. Doing begets results. Results are what we want. But without the proper thinking, without the proper way of thinking — attitude — we will not get the kind of results we want. Sure, we burn off some of the calories we ate that day but it’s what we tell ourselves later that sabotages any of those positive steps. See if you have any of the following attitudes toward getting in shape.

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Health, Misinformation, and You

By Jeff Dolan | Published: December 2, 2009

Photo: lepiaf.geo.

I talk to people everyday who are concerned about their health. Maybe even worse. They are overweight, sick, and tired. And sick and tired of the misinformation that is out there in traditional western medicine and pop culture. For the last 3 years, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about health, and the deeper I get, the more contradictory the information I find. It’s enough to make you dizzy, then very upset. After many of my friends and family saw my concern for those struggling to get in shape, or stay healthy in general, they encouraged me to write about it. Here is an excerpt from an email I received last year:

I was wondering if you had some time to give me some health and fitness pointers … I’m at a standstill in my work outs and weight loss and am so frustrated! I feel like I’m never going to get this weight off and it’s SO discouraging.

Talk about heart-wrenching! I have a heart for helping people achieve their best in life, and you certainly need a healthy body as step one. Sadly, health is easy in theory but rocket science in practice for most people. Just look around in public today. Millions strive to make more money, find their soul mate, rise in their careers, or get famous in bodies that simply hold them back.

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

We Charge Everything But Ourselves

By Jeff Dolan | Published: November 18, 2009

Photo: Toni Frissell.

Why do we tout the benefits of everyone else sleeping and then burn the midnight oil? Do you ever tell yourself after the fifth time you read the same line that you really need to get more sleep? Keep re-reading this. You’ll wake up in a second.

We charge our phones. We charge our batteries. We charge our credit cards. Soon, we will charge our cars, our houses, and our boats. Then we will re-charge them. After that, we may consider charging ourselves by getting the proper amount of sleep each night, but most likely we will cut corners and go to bed late and wake up early for work. On the rare occasion it’s a non-work day, something somewhere will decide to wake us up anyway — like the guy upstairs who went on vacation and left his alarm to beep into infinity on a Saturday morning — so sleep is a precious commodity we never seem to fully grasp.

Have you ever charged your cell phone half way, and then had to use it? And later, after doing that a few times, you realize the battery quickly dies on you after you just charged it up all the way? Our bodies are the same way. Cut corners and see if your body forgets and runs like normal. Your body remembers. And it usually gets what it wants, whether you are at work or right in the middle of listening to your special someone share something really really …

I consider sleep a foundational pillar of good health. If you have no time to sleep, you will have plenty of other problems to keep you busy while you are awake. How much sleep? My recommendation is anywhere from seven to eight hours, but in reality, it’s when you can wake up without an alarm clock for one week in a row. That’s when I know I am getting the proper amount of sleep. There are plenty of articles on the Web that list all the things you can do to sleep better. The main point is to make sleep a priority if you want to get in the best shape of your life.

Posted in Health | 2 Comments