In his book Inner Excellence, Jim Murphy explores what it means to become fully human—what psychologist Abraham Maslow called a “self-actualizer.” Among the characteristics Maslow identified is this:
“Purpose beyond self – selfless actualizers have some mission in life, some task to fulfill, some problem outside themselves, which enlists much of their energy, for the good of mankind.”
That phrase—purpose beyond self—has stayed with me.
For much of my life, I’ve been looking for something bigger than myself. Not in a religious or spiritual sense—that’s a different part of my path, one that connects me to something higher. What I mean is the search for a sense of belonging and contribution—where I’m part of something larger with other people. A mission or creative pursuit that requires us to come together, rely on each other, and accomplish something none of us could do alone.
There are a few creative feats one can pursue in solitude—a novel, maybe. But even that kind of work is often inspired by relationships, conflicts, communities—by human connection. So in a sense, even the most solitary art is made up of others.
Cinematography and video production, though, are inherently collaborative. At its best, a team forms around a shared vision and works in sync to bring it to life. That’s the kind of creative process I’ve always yearned for.
I think of it like a mosaic.
Each person brings a piece of the whole—a distinct shape, a unique shade. On its own, a single tile might not seem like much. But when those fragments come together, aligned in purpose and placed with care, they reveal something greater than any individual contribution.
It’s a slow, intentional process. It requires trust and belief—belief in the vision, in one another, and in the idea that what we’re building means something. Not everything we make will be “for the good of mankind.” But it can be good for someone. It can make a person feel less alone, more seen, or more hopeful. It can spark understanding. It can remind someone that they, too, have something to contribute.
That, to me, is enough. That is the kind of art—and the kind of life—I want to create.
