Soul and Bowl

Years ago, a lecture by documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield introduced me to a concept that I still contemplate; "soul and bowl." During her talk, she illuminated the dual obligations creatives carry: the "soul"—our fulfillment and purpose through work that instills a sense of meaningful existence, and the "bowl"—the pragmatic aspect of filling our bowl, or in other words, sustaining ourselves financially. Ignoring either leads to a form of starvation, be it spiritual or physical.

Greenfield described these elements as distinct yet intertwined; her commercial work filled her bowl, allowing her the liberty to pursue the art and documentaries that satisfied her soul. This mindset of separation and connection between soul and bowl has significantly influenced how I perceive work and creativity.

I've often found myself in pursuit of the bowl—a means to meet my needs—that also inherently provides meaning. Initially, I thought I was seeking a profession that could deliver both a profound sense of purpose and financial stability. Yet, as I endeavored to combine these two aims, concessions were made, often at the expense of my soul, my creative spirit. I tried to make my video work commercially viable while hoping it would retain its intrinsic value. But, in doing so, I experienced a dilution of meaning, leaving my soul yearning.

However, this past year has been transformative. I've realized the importance of differentiating soul work from bowl work, just as Greenfield advised. The dream that one day my art might financially sustain me remains, but for now, I've found a sense of peace in this distinction. I engage in work that resonates with my values and affords me the energy to invest in my artistic and spiritual endeavors—the nourishment of my soul.

As this balance is an ever-evolving pursuit, I welcome your thoughts on this subject. How do you manage your soul and bowl?

Looking forward to your insights.

Gear Spotlight: The Super Bagel – A Traveler's Power Hub

This is, hands down, one of the coolest pieces of tech I've started carrying with me. It's a hyper useful combination of an extension cord and a travel adapter. Picture this: an adaptor that plugs into any socket around the world, encased in a circular design that's decked out with five other ports, not to mention the included USB-C and USB-A ports.

At first glance it appeared that it was only going to be good for US-style plugs, but not so. It’s got universal input, which basically means I can plug just about anything into it. So any outlet I come across can become a power hub for any kind of plug in reach. Plus, it's got a really long cable and the plug itself is pretty light, so reaching and using any plug is super easy – and it can also easily offer power to people nearby too.

Now, it's made of plastic and didn’t look like much right out of the box – and for $60, I was a bit skeptical. But after three months of daily use, it's proven its worth.I’d say this is a definite recommend for any traveler, and if you’re working remotely, it’s pretty essential.

Here's the link: https://amzn.to/47qVFfA 

Fyi, that’s an Amazon affiliate link. It’s a way to support me (and my bowl) without any additional cost to you.