Hi Jay - I live in an election battleground state where millions of dollars are being spent on ads trying to convince people that the world is going to crap. Since I haven't been able to cut off myself from the world, I've been relying on you/Cooper/Paris for some much needed escapism. Thank you!
We don't know each other, but you make a positive difference in my life with your posts. It's very clear that you care about others, and we appreciate you!
Jay, your daily vlogs really helped me ~2018. I was a mom of two kids under 3 years old, all alone in a new city with my husband on deployment. I was already struggling with intense burnout at that time and just having someone talk to me every day was a life-saver. I know we aren't friends and we don't even know each other, but I will always be grateful for that small amount of companionship at a really tough time in my life. Never underestimate your ability to have a positive impact. I hope all your creative dreams come true!
@@JaySwanson Oh things are massively better now, thank you! My husband retired from the military and we were able to move near family, I learned I have ADHD and got on a medication that really works, and I've come to understand that I'm autistic & how that contributed to my burnout, and am continuing to learn how to work with my brain instead of against it moving forward. The kids are older and have their own support challenges but it really helps that they are just the sweetest little things I could ever ask for.
Hi Jay - started listening to you to prep for a Paris trip in 2023 and I'm back again, here right now for a writing retreat, so you're not just making the world a better place by helping people find joy in Paris, you have inspired me to write too. It is Canadian Thanksgiving so much gratitude and love from a Canadian in Paris ❤🇨🇦🇨🇵
These wonderful Jay-thought-forms, are, for me, truly valuable. You portray a deeply kind humanity that, I believe, resonates with many of us who feel a strong hope for kindness to emerge triumphant over the baser human impulses. Soooo, 3 things: 1. Here’s to hoping Cooper heals quickly; 2. Thank you for another thoughtful video, that plants seeds of positivity; and, 3. With these beautiful creations of yours, you are bound to keep and grow your Patreon support. Me, as a Patreon member, for sure! Ohhhh, and one more thing: I enjoyed, tremendously, your book, Sea of the Unknown…and look forward to reading your future-previous-books! Thank you!!!
Tolkien made a similar point about writing in his essay “On Fairy Stories “. I think the good we do for others, however small, is essential to making the world a better place. It is not only the grand gestures that are impactful. Being faithful to do the good we can do is what counts. The stories coming out of North Carolina right now are about individuals helping others who are in need.
You’re absolutely right. While we may (or may not) actively participate in the collective reaction to what’s going on in the world, taking time to remove ourselves from it is a stress reliever. It gives us strength to go on and fight another day. It doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned or forgotten the battle before us. It’s just us, coming up for air.
What difference do you make and how do you make the world a better place? By doing what you do, which shows others that it's possible. That's HUGE and don't kid yourself that it isn't.
Great heartfelt video! I respect your desire to be a force for good. I’m a special educator in my own small, private program and the Starfish Story always inspires me!
I’d love to hear more about your novels as I’ve heard you talk about them so much in the past. I’ll look forward to that. Always happy to support your brilliant work Jay! Hope “pukey pup” is on the mend. 👍
Hey Jay, wonderful video as always! Also grew up as a heavily sheltered child that wasn't allowed to watch mainstream TV to the point where I don't typically get references either. I think its beautiful that your form of escapism was writing that inspired your entire career choice in the end. I think this is part of the reason why you have so many loyal viewers and Patrons! I unfortunately didn't take that route but relied on creating my own world with stuffed animals, so I guess it was sort of a creative outlet. Really insightful/introspective video so keep them coming :)
What a great little peek into your world--your inner world. I have 2 thoughts that came up for me while watching: 1) What you refer to as "escaping" is what I would call moving into your higher self. Creating requires resonating with the universe at a higher level. It is accessing a kind of energy that taps into the metaphysical you. 2) Creation & destruction are struck together. One cannot exist without the other. I have to remind myself of this several times a day as I find myself reacting to the "state of the world" or I mourn for something past or present, real or imagined. Most of the world's mythology tries to teach us this. Think of Shiva walking through the ashes. It is a privilege to watch your awakening.
Paris is a very appropriate place to have these discussions. It is one of the places in the world that ascribes such importance to an intellectual life. It is also a city that has had to grapple with real world events (e.g. WWII, terrorism) overtaking a culture and lifestyle that has been perhaps at times too focussed on the cerebral. This is why I'm finding the existentialists (a generation who had to grapple with this conundrum) so interesting at the moment. Thanks for the thought-ful/-provoking video.
Overthinking is a bitch. And where’s the dang on-off switch for that mode? Though I often fumble around in the dark to find that button, no doubt taking care of numero 1 is key to being able to help others, in even in what may seem to be the smallest way, and ultimately you help yourself as well. It’s akin to finding the snooze button on the overthinking. Emphasize what you can do, but realize you cannot do it all. Thanks for opening up to us all. And to Cooper, get well soon l’il guy. This too shall pass🤙🏽
You must put your oxygen mask on first before helping anyone else. I also feel you are a better friend when you take better care of yourself. Hope Cooper is doing better. Not sure why, but I always forget how LONG his legs are! 😂
always be true to yourself..never be part of the herd mentality..EVER. embrace your own company .that is freedom and peace..with pup if course. he can only really say wiryds with his eyes
At two minutes in I was like Jay Jay Jay there’s a Space Invader behind you!!! Maybe Cooper (and all dogs) is the saviour of the world! (Hope he feels better soon) if we gave the people that are making the world quite shit a Cooper maybe the world would heal.
Sounds stupid. But you manage alright in a smaller "bad " world in Paris. With the crime drugs and poverty you cope pretty well. Its the media that pulls on us into the " bigger bad world". I find myself being annoyed by the shitty state of the world periodically. Than i cut my media intake down and its better..... You live and have a home and reach people. Thats pretty cool . And the question IF people like your work isnt important. But more that you GIVE people the chance to like or not like your work. So yeah good job. 😊
I was about to buy a puppy like Cooper how’re the vet technician told me to not to because they suffer a lot including all that you says. They are expensive. I have a chihuahua mix. Much better not one visit to the vet.
Thanks again to my Patrons for keeping me going! Join them at patreon.com/jayswanson 🍻🎉
Hi Jay - I live in an election battleground state where millions of dollars are being spent on ads trying to convince people that the world is going to crap. Since I haven't been able to cut off myself from the world, I've been relying on you/Cooper/Paris for some much needed escapism. Thank you!
Happy to be an escape 🎉
Stop watching CNN and Fox, you'll ne much better and also, consuming less lies is healthier for you.
We don't know each other, but you make a positive difference in my life with your posts. It's very clear that you care about others, and we appreciate you!
@@dianegenx I so agree. Jay posts thoughtful videos.
Thank you! 🥂
Ditto.
Jay, your daily vlogs really helped me ~2018. I was a mom of two kids under 3 years old, all alone in a new city with my husband on deployment. I was already struggling with intense burnout at that time and just having someone talk to me every day was a life-saver. I know we aren't friends and we don't even know each other, but I will always be grateful for that small amount of companionship at a really tough time in my life. Never underestimate your ability to have a positive impact. I hope all your creative dreams come true!
Thank you for taking the time to share! I'm really glad I could create for you during that period 🙏🥂 Hope that things have gotten much better since!
@@JaySwanson Oh things are massively better now, thank you! My husband retired from the military and we were able to move near family, I learned I have ADHD and got on a medication that really works, and I've come to understand that I'm autistic & how that contributed to my burnout, and am continuing to learn how to work with my brain instead of against it moving forward. The kids are older and have their own support challenges but it really helps that they are just the sweetest little things I could ever ask for.
Hi Jay - started listening to you to prep for a Paris trip in 2023 and I'm back again, here right now for a writing retreat, so you're not just making the world a better place by helping people find joy in Paris, you have inspired me to write too. It is Canadian Thanksgiving so much gratitude and love from a Canadian in Paris ❤🇨🇦🇨🇵
Happy Thanksgiving! And thank you for sharing. I'm really grateful to be a small part of your inspiration 🥂 Keep after it!
These wonderful Jay-thought-forms, are, for me, truly valuable. You portray a deeply kind humanity that, I believe, resonates with many of us who feel a strong hope for kindness to emerge triumphant over the baser human impulses. Soooo, 3 things: 1. Here’s to hoping Cooper heals quickly; 2. Thank you for another thoughtful video, that plants seeds of positivity; and, 3. With these beautiful creations of yours, you are bound to keep and grow your Patreon support. Me, as a Patreon member, for sure!
Ohhhh, and one more thing: I enjoyed, tremendously, your book, Sea of the Unknown…and look forward to reading your future-previous-books! Thank you!!!
Thank you! I'm really grateful to have you along for the ride. It means a lot 🥂🥂 And Cooper seems to be all better!
Tolkien made a similar point about writing in his essay “On Fairy Stories “. I think the good we do for others, however small, is essential to making the world a better place. It is not only the grand gestures that are impactful. Being faithful to do the good we can do is what counts. The stories coming out of North Carolina right now are about individuals helping others who are in need.
Being faithful and consistent indeed 🥂 Thanks!
You’re absolutely right. While we may (or may not) actively participate in the collective reaction to what’s going on in the world, taking time to remove ourselves from it is a stress reliever. It gives us strength to go on and fight another day. It doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned or forgotten the battle before us. It’s just us, coming up for air.
🙏🥂
What difference do you make and how do you make the world a better place? By doing what you do, which shows others that it's possible. That's HUGE and don't kid yourself that it isn't.
Thanks 🥂🥰
Great heartfelt video! I respect your desire to be a force for good. I’m a special educator in my own small, private program and the Starfish Story always inspires me!
The starfish story was a favorite on the ship I used to volunteer on too ⭐
Your photography is very good, and better all the time.
Thank you!
Hope Cooper feels better soon!!!
He's all good!
Thanks for posting :) you put a smile to my heart. Place de la Republique is one of my favourite places.
Brought a smile to my heart😂
Brought a smile to my heart😂
🥂🙏
And looooove the stickerz 😅 and a happy Jay 😊
Hope Cooper is doing better. One thing that helped my doggo was knowing what she is allergic to. I did a food and environment test to find out.
That's probably the next step here too 🐶
I’d love to hear more about your novels as I’ve heard you talk about them so much in the past. I’ll look forward to that. Always happy to support your brilliant work Jay! Hope “pukey pup” is on the mend. 👍
Thank you Andy!
Hey Jay, wonderful video as always! Also grew up as a heavily sheltered child that wasn't allowed to watch mainstream TV to the point where I don't typically get references either. I think its beautiful that your form of escapism was writing that inspired your entire career choice in the end. I think this is part of the reason why you have so many loyal viewers and Patrons! I unfortunately didn't take that route but relied on creating my own world with stuffed animals, so I guess it was sort of a creative outlet. Really insightful/introspective video so keep them coming :)
"In order to be a writer, one must actually sit down (or stand up) and write. Therein lies the problem." ~ Edward Abbey
😅 fact
4:32 omg pooping with a wittle rainjacket 😍☔
Doggies are our family. Hope Cooper gets better soon. My doggo gets fed better than me. Spoilt fur creatures. Great vid Jay.
Thank you!
You deffo helped me im one old man who is still here Thank You
🙏🥂
What a great little peek into your world--your inner world. I have 2 thoughts that came up for me while watching: 1) What you refer to as "escaping" is what I would call moving into your higher self. Creating requires resonating with the universe at a higher level. It is accessing a kind of energy that taps into the metaphysical you. 2) Creation & destruction are struck together. One cannot exist without the other. I have to remind myself of this several times a day as I find myself reacting to the "state of the world" or I mourn for something past or present, real or imagined. Most of the world's mythology tries to teach us this. Think of Shiva walking through the ashes. It is a privilege to watch your awakening.
We are finite and imperfect - do what makes you happy
🥂
Paris is a very appropriate place to have these discussions. It is one of the places in the world that ascribes such importance to an intellectual life. It is also a city that has had to grapple with real world events (e.g. WWII, terrorism) overtaking a culture and lifestyle that has been perhaps at times too focussed on the cerebral. This is why I'm finding the existentialists (a generation who had to grapple with this conundrum) so interesting at the moment. Thanks for the thought-ful/-provoking video.
Thanks for watching 🙏 Existential is how I end up spending a bit too much of my time probably 😅
Coopers rain coat 🥺
Grumpy lil fisher bub
“Maybe.. I should scale that back” RELATABLE
😅
Overthinking is a bitch. And where’s the dang on-off switch for that mode? Though I often fumble around in the dark to find that button, no doubt taking care of numero 1 is key to being able to help others, in even in what may seem to be the smallest way, and ultimately you help yourself as well. It’s akin to finding the snooze button on the overthinking. Emphasize what you can do, but realize you cannot do it all. Thanks for opening up to us all. And to Cooper, get well soon l’il guy. This too shall pass🤙🏽
Off switches for so many things would be great 😅
Ha! Just thought about that “Clapper” thingy from years ago👏🏼
What about a little bootie for his foot? Poor Cooper, hope he feels better soon ❤😊
That would make a good combo next time!
Great vid today.
Thanks!
You are making a difference, your stories are always interesting, and it does help others! ❤ Cooper doesn’t know who you are talking to, but we do! 😂🤣
He's most confused when I get on the phone 😆
Jay has been dropping quite the amount of truth bombs recently. Well done! May your creativity be the good kind of escapism.
🙏🥂 It's been a really helpful realization
You must put your oxygen mask on first before helping anyone else. I also feel you are a better friend when you take better care of yourself. Hope Cooper is doing better. Not sure why, but I always forget how LONG his legs are! 😂
He's got solid stilts
2:49 You were lucky then because in my school, a teacher threw a fit because someone dared to use colour pencils in a notebook.
😬
What is art ? This is art.
Write your books. I had 6 books cooking in my head, had a concussion, and poof they were gone.
Oof, good push there - that was a motivator back when I was prepping to move to South Africa
I'm sorry you lost those
@@JaySwanson You just never know what's going to happen. So don't wait.
Jay .. if you weren't a RUclipsr what would you be doing in life? Puzzling. Curious.
6:30 What we all need to learn is being used to decentering ourselves. Easier said than done.
Much
the world is for sure going to shit! but keep the faith and smile and keep moving upright is the word of the day!
🥂
Hola Mr Cooper, Can you research a thing called slippery elm and tell your dad to boil you some? In the US slippery elm is used for bad tummies!
🐶🙏
"Straight to hell" indeed. Why do we always seek the negative.
Good ol cave man brains at it again 😅
always be true to yourself..never be part of the herd mentality..EVER. embrace your own company .that is freedom and peace..with pup if course. he can only really say wiryds with his eyes
🙏
At two minutes in I was like Jay Jay Jay there’s a Space Invader behind you!!!
Maybe Cooper (and all dogs) is the saviour of the world! (Hope he feels better soon) if we gave the people that are making the world quite shit a Cooper maybe the world would heal.
Peace By Cooper
♥️🍀♥️🍀♥️🍀♥️🍀🙋🏻
🥂🙏
Sounds stupid. But you manage alright in a smaller "bad " world in Paris. With the crime drugs and poverty you cope pretty well. Its the media that pulls on us into the " bigger bad world". I find myself being annoyed by the shitty state of the world periodically. Than i cut my media intake down and its better..... You live and have a home and reach people. Thats pretty cool . And the question IF people like your work isnt important. But more that you GIVE people the chance to like or not like your work. So yeah good job. 😊
I was about to buy a puppy like Cooper how’re the vet technician told me to not to because they suffer a lot including all that you says. They are expensive. I have a chihuahua mix. Much better not one visit to the vet.
Thankfully he hasn't had any real health issues - this allergy is the first conundrum we've encountered so far =)
Paris has been so wet 😢…
Has anyone ever tell you that you are very very very boring
thanks for watching!