The meaning of it all
What is it all for?
Hey,
Deciding the heading for the newsletter is, sometimes, harder work than finding things to share. There is no central theme for each newsletter that goes out, at least not consciously, but looking back over past newsletter headings, I am struck by how I often seem to think about the same questions repeatedly. And this is tied to why I do what I do, beyond the putting food on the table and a roof over my head and the kids in school and the like. Reflecting on purpose is something I seem to do a lot.
1
Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search For Meaning was life-changing for me, having only read it recently. His approach to life despite the hardships he faced helped me put much into perspective. A collection of lectures he gave in Vienna has been published and is work picking up: Yes to Life, in Spite of Everything: Viktor Frankl’s Lost Lectures on Moving Beyond Optimism and Pessimism to Find the Deepest Source of Meaning
2
The ads often pop up on Instagram. Sign up for Masterclass and be taught by leading authors, designers, artists and the like. A friend recently gifted me a year’s subscription to Masterclass and it has been an absolute pleasure. I have now completed Walter Mosley’s and Neil Gaiman’s masterclasses and am halfway through Jeff Koons and Questlove. I try to engage whenever I have a gap to avoid constantly trying to ‘find the time’ to sit down for a masterclass because there will never be time.
3
I am a fan of Nkhensani Rihlampfu’s art and I am been fortunate enough to interview him for a couple of spaces including for a bank. He recently had an exhibition and I am glad that the world is getting to see his art beyond the rope sculptures (which are phenomenal) that most people know of.
4
Enjoyed listening to this interview with Walter Isaacson. I still haven’t finished his biography of Steve Jobs and his Leonardo da Vinci biography is high up on my want-to-read list.
5
Ogojiii was a print magazine that focused on African innovation, design and culture that eventually went on an extended hiatus. Last year, in discussions with the people behind it, I decided to join the team pro-bono to relaunch it as a writer-driven community, primarily on Medium. It is a gradual process. If you have writing you would like to share with our community there, check it out here Ogojiii on Medium and drop me a line.
6
I just started watching Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, brilliantly produced and shot, insightful and a little depressing. We have so much history on the African continent that would make for compelling, educational and uplifting storytelling.
7
The noted.man Lockdown Vol.10 playlist curated by producer/director Sifiso Khanyile has been on high rotation. The song selection, the flow, the journey it takes you on is both soothing and satisfying.
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Easy
Kojo