"Artists, you are the custodians of beauty in this world." Pope Benedict XVI
If the world ever needed a big dose of 'beautiful' - it is now! Seems every time I turn on the news, read the paper, or even catch a glimpse of Oprah!, I'm being bombarded by information I don't want to hear, images I don't want to see, or topics that are completely disturbing. Even the non-news is disturbing.
The world seems to have gone crazy! Where are the sensible, decent people who have a strong inner sense of right and wrong, who know what to speak about in public and what to keep behind closed doors?
I'm growing so weary of all the noise! I have this deep inner longing for peace, calm, rest and beauty, but I have to fight for it. So I'm calling for a revolution! Will you join me?
The theme of this revolution is "Color Our World Beautiful!"
Let's bombard our communities with beautiful music, paintings, poetry, design, books, articles, clothing, choreography and art! We really can make a difference - one piece of beautiful creativity at a time!
I'm not suggesting that you bury your head in the clouds when it comes to what's happening in the world, but I am suggesting that we balance the bad news with beautiful creativity. It's a known fact that, over time, we become what we digest and we need beautiful images, heart-stirring music and dances that bring us to tears. We need the sacred, the hallowed, innocence and reverence.
What can you create that will "Color our World Beautiful?" I encourage you to post it below or post a link to it, so that we can enjoy the beauty of your creativity.
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Showing posts with label art of non-conformity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art of non-conformity. Show all posts
Thursday
Unleash Your Superhero!
Moving was a big part of my growing up. I spent my early years in Japan and Italy, so I missed out on much of the typical American "kid stuff," and especially the TV scene. However, I did have an older brother who somehow managed to find "Mighty Mouse" cartoons. And I have to say, Mighty Mouse made a mighty big impression on me! Maybe it was the fact that he was a singing mouse who belted out in his huge, operatic voice: "Here I come to save the day!" Or that he was lavished with hugs and kisses from the grateful population of Mouseville, when they were rescued from yet another disaster. I was a huge fan.
Each cartoon consisted of a crisis, which needed extraordinary, 'super power' help to resolve. Then, just in the nick of time, Mighty Mouse would appear and "save the day." He seemed to always find those who needed help.
I want to speak to the superhero in you! You may not possess 'super powers,' but you do possess the power to bring extraordinary help to someone in need.
The second line to the "Mighty Mouse" theme song is: "When there's a wrong to right, Mighty Mouse will join the fight!" I believe that when you 'join the fight,' you actually find new strength.
Earlier this year, my hubby and I jumped in to help our friends, Bob and Jayne Farrell. When Nashville flooded, they lost their home and everything in it. We were compelled to help. The fascinating thing is that we did what we normally could not do, or would not do, for ourselves. We felt empowered to 'fight' on behalf of the Farrells. We made phone calls, wrote letters to ask for help, created a video, sang in a benefit concert with some artist 'heavyweights.' Normally, I would shrink back and think, "I can't do that!" But because it was for someone else - someone who needed my help - I found the strength or 'power' to do what I normally cannot do.
Lately, I've been contemplating how artists who find a 'cause' to represent seem to move mountains, reach higher, have more energy and inadvertently draw more attention to their art.
So, I'm "Calling All Supehero Candidates!" It's a call to artists everywhere: Find a cause that you can get passionate about, then use your art to promote it, raise funds and give to it.
Some of you may be thinking, "Well, I'd love to do that, but I'm a 'starving' artist and I can barely feed my own family." You are the ones I'm especially talking to. When you are in a bind, the most productive thing you can do is to find someone who's needs are greater and give to them.
It will take some time to consider the options and catch a vision. But if you ask God to put a specific people group, a segment of society, a school, an orphanage, or someone who is less fortunate, on your heart, He will lead you to them. You can then write a song, take photos, or create a painting. Whatever your art form is, use it to serve - and to raise funds for - your cause. Believe for enough to provide for your needs, then to overflow to give to your cause.
I recently met Zig Ziglar and his famous quote comes to mind: "You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want." I believe this is true. It's not that we should give in order to get, but in giving, we can't help but receive!
So, what do all you 'superheroes-in-training' think? Tell me . . . Are you ready to "save the day" for someone who needs your help?
Each cartoon consisted of a crisis, which needed extraordinary, 'super power' help to resolve. Then, just in the nick of time, Mighty Mouse would appear and "save the day." He seemed to always find those who needed help.
I want to speak to the superhero in you! You may not possess 'super powers,' but you do possess the power to bring extraordinary help to someone in need.
The second line to the "Mighty Mouse" theme song is: "When there's a wrong to right, Mighty Mouse will join the fight!" I believe that when you 'join the fight,' you actually find new strength.
Earlier this year, my hubby and I jumped in to help our friends, Bob and Jayne Farrell. When Nashville flooded, they lost their home and everything in it. We were compelled to help. The fascinating thing is that we did what we normally could not do, or would not do, for ourselves. We felt empowered to 'fight' on behalf of the Farrells. We made phone calls, wrote letters to ask for help, created a video, sang in a benefit concert with some artist 'heavyweights.' Normally, I would shrink back and think, "I can't do that!" But because it was for someone else - someone who needed my help - I found the strength or 'power' to do what I normally cannot do.
Lately, I've been contemplating how artists who find a 'cause' to represent seem to move mountains, reach higher, have more energy and inadvertently draw more attention to their art.
So, I'm "Calling All Supehero Candidates!" It's a call to artists everywhere: Find a cause that you can get passionate about, then use your art to promote it, raise funds and give to it.
Some of you may be thinking, "Well, I'd love to do that, but I'm a 'starving' artist and I can barely feed my own family." You are the ones I'm especially talking to. When you are in a bind, the most productive thing you can do is to find someone who's needs are greater and give to them.
It will take some time to consider the options and catch a vision. But if you ask God to put a specific people group, a segment of society, a school, an orphanage, or someone who is less fortunate, on your heart, He will lead you to them. You can then write a song, take photos, or create a painting. Whatever your art form is, use it to serve - and to raise funds for - your cause. Believe for enough to provide for your needs, then to overflow to give to your cause.
I recently met Zig Ziglar and his famous quote comes to mind: "You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want." I believe this is true. It's not that we should give in order to get, but in giving, we can't help but receive!
So, what do all you 'superheroes-in-training' think? Tell me . . . Are you ready to "save the day" for someone who needs your help?
Monday
Art of Non - Conformity
, are always full of surprises and this event was no exception. It was outside in the night air, complete with a bonfire to take away the chill. The chairs were stationed at the foot of the eagle, Aristotle, who is carved into the remnant of a former flourishing tree. I loved hearing Chris Gillebieu speak about his book, The Art of Non-Conformity. Honestly, he only spoke for about 20 minutes and he didn't say anything I haven't heard before. But for me, the foundation of his life, the way he thinks, the things he stands for, took the forefront and they reached down to the core of who I am and challenged me.
He talked about living a life of non-conformity, of following your heart instead of following the crowd.
I would say that I did that for many years and still do, but . . . and it's the 'but' that hurts! Circumstances have pulled me away, in some ways, from my ability to stay on the edge of non-conformity. Chris . . . not his words, but his spirit . . . tugged at that edge. I left feeling more focused and sure of who I am, what I am about and what I want to accomplish.
I know that the majority of my life is now behind me. I know that I love life, appreciate beauty and marvel at the creativity humans possess. I know that I want my life to count, no matter what circumstances I face. And I realize that to accomplish this, it takes tremendous courage, relentless persistence, unwavering faith and LOTS of hard work.
I think I'm up for the task! How about you?
Are you following the crowd, when your heart calls you in another direction?
Is 'playing it safe' stealing the life you were created to live?
Are you willing to lose it all in order to live your call? Are you willing
to learn the ART of non -comformity?
Could there be an Eagle hiding in the remnants of yourlife?
Just wondering . . . .
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