Jamie Uribe
Int Seminar
Daniel Penny
Belief
20 Minutes With Bryan Pingarron
On October 18th I conducted an interview with Bryan Pingarron, a strategic design & management major at Parsons School of Design, about his beliefs and how they have molded his life. Through these questions we are able to peek into his mind, and get a better understanding of the things that have brought him to this current point in his life.
What is your firmest belief? Something by which you live by?
One belief that I have, other than Karma, is that everything happens for a reason. My mother has instilled this belief in me, and I find this belief to be very helpful to me in times that I’m not sure where I am headed or what’s going to happen next. I also use this belief to calm myself down, reminding myself that everything is happening because it needs to, it’s a part of my story.
Is this belief recent or longstanding? If longstanding how has it influenced your life?
This belief is definitely long standing. Whenever I would be stressed or upset over things when I was younger, my mother would always give me talks, and explain that everything is going to happen the way it is meant to, and I had taken on that belief, it is without a doubt one of the many great things my mother has passed onto me.
What aspect of your life in particular is molded by this belief?
I find that my stress and anxiousness are molded by this belief. I find myself being easily stressed out and when there is a situation where I find myself panicking or overanalyzing everything, this belief brings me down, helps me remember that it is all going to work out, and I am freaking out over things that will be solved. Sometimes I even begin to doubt my belief, wondering why certain things are happening and why they are panning out the way they are, but I keep reminding myself that this is meant to happen and that it will make me stronger and mold me as a person overall.
Do you feel that having a particular belief limits you in life?
I think the opposite. I think that having beliefs can shape your life in the best way possible. Beliefs give us hope, and they allow for optimism, I feel that without beliefs we would be lost and we would lose our drive in life. I think that beliefs are really a great thing, and people may think beliefs are silly but I think they can be a great factor in how you live.
Do you believe that beliefs meant to be a rule of life , or a point of guidance ?
I see both sides, I find myself using beliefs as a rule of life, but I also see them as a guiding point. I think it always depends upon the person, and what they need in the moment.
What is a belief that you no longer believe in? has letting go of this belief improved your life?
A belief I think that I have loosened up on is believing that I need to be the best at everything. I find that I am always putting too much stress on myself, constantly being hard on myself and yes having structure for yourself is a great thing but in these times that I am trying to be the best I overwork myself and I often will forget to blow myself to have fun and relax and just breathe. I will say that I am improving upon this and it definitely has improved my life.
Is there anyone in your life in particular who has been most influential in regards to your beliefs?
I would have to say my family. My family is one the greatest support systems I could ask for. They have instilled great morals into me and I could not even imagine where I would be without them there behind me every step of the way.
What is your relationship with religion?
I grew up being raised Jewish, and my mother was also raised jewish. My mother was not a fan of heavy religion, so she raised my brother and I to go to Hebrew school leading up to our bar mitzvah’s and once we were finished we could choose to do with our religion what we did. I am much less religious than I used to be but I certainly hold certain aspects of my religion. I still pray, and I also stick to certain rules of the Jewish faith such as not getting tattoos because it is seen as being a symbol of defacing god’s work. I am unsure if I will raise my children under the jewish faith but I’ll just have to wait and see.
You’ve previously stated that you believe in karma, are there any events in your life which you can recall karma being an active participant?
I would have to say that in the past I have certainly noticed getting what I give. There are no particular events I can remember but I have certainly seen my week going poorly when I am acting poorly.
Are you superstitious?
Yes, I do find that I have my superstitions, particularly I don’t like talking about things that may happen because I do not want to jinx my chances.
Along the lines of that, do you have any habits in life? Things that are part of your regular routine that are crucial to your life?
I certainly have everyday routines. I love talking to my friends, I have a love for my friends that I don’t think they understand they’re really everything to me. Also, I talk to my mom everyday, being away from home has made me realize how blessed I am to have the mother that I do and I don’t feel right If I go a day not talking to her. Other routines I have would be washing my hands and I know this doesn’t sound like a routine but it has been a routine of mine since 5th grade, Ive never been diagnosed with OCD but I need to wash my hands when I feel as if I have come in contact with germs, and I would certainly say that has shaped me a bit.
What do you think about love?
I wish I could give more insight than I am able to. I have never personally experienced love despite love for friends and family. Growing up my parents (who are divorced now) were never loving to one another, so I guess you could say I didn’t grow up with that figure of loving parents. I would say as of right now I don’t really believe in love but I am sure this will change over time.
In your work, do you express your ideologies? do you believe that it is important to incorporate yourself and your beliefs in your work?
To be honest I unless the assignment specifically asks for a personal touch I find it hard to incorporate myself or my beliefs into work, I have the creativity but it doesn’t always come to surface for me.
What type of work do you create? do you have a set subject matter?
To be honest, I don’t find myself really creating things, unless it is for school. I used to draw when I was younger but I found that dissipated over the years.
What are your passions? what do you live for?
One of my biggest passions is Fashion. I live for runway shows and seeing new collections. I could stare at a Fendi window display for hours and be content. Ever since I was little I have had an affliction with fashion, I would obsessively watch America’s Next Top Model and recreate the photo shoots with my dolls, it used to be everything to me, it genuinely made me the happiest kid out there.
What drives you at school, at work?
This question sort of ties in to before when I was saying that I want to be the best when I am doing things. I want to have a successful future and that is what really pushes me to do my best and work hard in school. In my hometown I work over the summer at an ice cream shop and what motivates me is just giving people the best service I can give, being pleasant and helpful.
Do you have a personal mantra?
I would have to say that “Everything happens for a reason” would be my life mantra.
What is the most important value in life for you?
Morals, I think that it is so so so important to have a set of morals that you live by. I can thank
my parents for instilling that idea into me.
If you had to summarize your current relationship between you and your life right now in one word, what would it be?
Confusing
