Tuesdays with Chris: “Life & Death in Art”

cave.art

A wonderful examination of the concept of cave paintings and their possible purpose, intertwined with thought-provoking questions about our modern experience with the environment, our surroundings and asking ourselves what’s of real value.

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)  Enjoy!

0

Prayers to Boston

I don’t think there are any among us here in the U.S. who feel untouched by the Boston Marathon bombing this afternoon… I find myself wishing I had the right words to uplift our spirits, to give us confidence in what is good, to comfort our hearts. Of course it is well to remember the amazing and beautiful display of human courage and caring we see when tragedy hits home. From hundreds, even thousands of miles away, we watch, and we feel pain at the same time we feel an immense pride and gratitude towards those who risk their lives, who dive into harm’s way to save lives, who care for wounded, investigate and analyze the details – whether by virtue of their job or their character, these acts of human care are a beaming light in the darkness.

But there is still the unfathomable, the anger, the outrage, the sorrow, the sickness of it all that can leave us overwhelmed with feelings that, in order to make any immediate sense, in order to do any good at all, lend themselves seemingly only to prayer. And that has to be enough.

In all honesty, I’m incensed; it’s pure madness, it’s another incomprehensible sadness, and it makes the fire in me flame high. But from a distance there’s no use for my fire, except to kindle more fire. So, as I know millions of us pray tonight, I pray with you, with all my heart, for the good people in Boston, and all the angels sent to help.

Love and prayers,
Patricia

0

A Few Words on Chocolate

chocolate-chemspeaking

I don’t know what took me so long to talk about chocolate. After all, I was pretty much weaned on the stuff. Maybe because it’s such an integral part of my world, I didn’t give it any special thought. (Not that chocolate doesn’t deserve special thought.) But when it’s woven into the fabric of your life, it doesn’t pop out and say “hey, what about me?” It’s already there.

Personally, I like my chocolate “pure”. No liqueurs sneaking around inside my truffles, please. Just chocolate. Preferably in the form of fudgy brownies, an exquisite lava cake, or my favorite almost-always-on-the-stove homemade hot fudge sauce (ice cream optional – ha!)

No, chocolate has never suffered the fate of neglect around here.

Originally brewed as a frothy-type beer for the elite in ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures, today it’s not only a delicious vegetable source (from the cocoa bean), it’s full of endorphins and anti-oxidants (so I’m told, which I’m more than happy to believe), and it’s inspiring. How could you go wrong?

money.talks

heretodaygonetoday.bite

chocolate=joy

 
0

How To Slow Down Time

I don’t really have the final answer to this idea of slowing down time, although finding one has been on my mind a lot lately as we all keep moving, moving, moving, keeping up a brisk pace only to pause for dinner or maybe even some sleep. It’s just not right to me, all this constant motion, this world that moves so very fast, this world of instant news (and too much news), a wild sea of images and thoughts and appointments and gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. This very real sense that there isn’t enough time in the day. So I thought, it being Monday, that maybe Pooh has the best idea yet….

saxton_pooh.nap

It’s a nice idea, isn’t it? But napping intrudes on time; time that moves so quickly, so furiously full. One could argue that a nap leaves you refreshed, better able to accomplish all those things that need accomplishing ~ and I find no fault there. But what about slowing down time so you don’t “need” a nap ~ like Pooh, you could take one just because it feels like a good thing to do?

What about slowing time at will, right here and now, without having to go on holiday to find it, and without detriment to your clients, your families, your peace of mind?

There are only a few ways I know that effectively slow down time. One is a fabulous snowfall ~ but this requires a northern climate and Mother Nature’s whim. The ocean has a similar effect, as does being on a mountaintop.

Another, more “here and now” way, is meditation. And of course, for me, there’s drawing. Or painting or playing the piano… when you’re cocooned in the embrace of creativity, it’s very much like a meditation; time simply doesn’t exist in that space. So I’m not sure if it’s actually slowing down time, or merely alleviating the consciousness of the ongoing tick-tock. But I do know that it’s good for the soul, and that practically amounts to the same thing. I think Pooh might agree.

Oh and there is one other way I know about for slowing down time. What you do is believe you have all the time you need. Saying it out loud can help. With conviction and slow, deep breaths. It’s almost like conspiring with the universe. You may laugh, and that’s fine, because I have no scientific explanation ~ but it’s not all that silly if it works, and it has for me.

And now that I’ve reminded myself of this ability, I just need to harness and command it more often!  … After my nap.

0

A Few Words From Einstein

I’ve always been a bit of a quotophile (is there such a thing? one who loves quotes?). There are so many great ones ~ and Einstein’s are right there at the top of my list, for just about every subject. His genius makes my jaw drop (it’s unfathomable to me). Combine that intellectual prowess with his insights into “life and the universe”, and I’m just blown away.

So, in honor of his birthday, I made a few designs using three of my favorite Einstein quotes. Of course there are other favorites, like … “People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”  or  “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” or  “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.” or “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”  or  “Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater.” or  “Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.” … on and on, they are wonderful.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Einstein.

godsthoughts4

einstein.imagination

einstein.time

 

0

Dreaming Dreams

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I can dream with the best of them. Big dreams. The fanciful, full-on, reach-for-the-stars kind. Maybe crazy, maybe not… but some have come true, and that’s enough for me to keep dreaming (even if I could stop.) And so it follows, not surprisingly, that I believe dreams are important, valuable, and potentially powerful. And everyone’s got a few ~ so I say, nurture them.

There are some pretty big guns who agree with all that, and so, well, I went a little “poster crazy” recently showing off the whole notion. Here they are.  ~ Dream on. Dream big. Dream well. :  )

dream.sky.fariy.bw

mickey.quote

dream1

dream.lofty

dreambigdreams3

dream.star

0

Tuesdays with Chris: “Slow Time”

horse

“Beware the emptiness of a busy life.”

Oh boy, I think we can all relate to this video’s message about time…  Beautifully done ~ and a beautiful horse, too! Thanks Chris, for this wonderful reminder.

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)  Enjoy!

0

March: Like a Lion

saxton_lion.cub

Don’t know how the March weather will play out this year ~ we’ll just have to wait and see ~ but the old phrase “in like a lion, out like a lamb” conjured up some fond lion-memories for me.

It was in Kenya, about this time of year back in 1990, that I captured a small lion family on my old Chinon 35mm. So I thought I’d share part of a sequence that delights me now almost as much as it did watching it unfold in front of me then.

They look so sweet, don’t they? We were reminded that despite appearances, they are killers ~ and we were only 20 feet away . It was an extraordinary treat being so close, but I was equally glad for my zoom lens (and that Mama Lion decided we weren’t a threat and could get back to her nap). What a beautiful wonder they are.

cubs.mama1

cubs.mama2

cubs.mama3

cubs.mama4

cubs.mama5

cubs.mama6

cubs.mama7

0

“where in the world is peace?” … north carolina to new york to barcelona

52 Weeks of Peace keeps traveling the world! Thank you for these terrific images and for sharing peace, and your smiles, across miles.

NYC bound

Serving it up right in Chapel Hill, NC

It’s a family affair in Salem, Virginia!

Beautiful adornment from a Florida-born friend

Peace at the Bar!

Peace in Barcelona, Spain

Shopping in North Carolina

Proud in New Jersey

Wearing Peace : )

Peace at the 501 Diner, Chapel Hill, NC

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images compiled on our special “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

0

Take a Seat, Make a Friend

This is one of the most awesome, coolest things. It’s brilliant. It’s wonderful. It’ll restore your faith in humanity. Watch and be glad you did! ♥

Big hats off to SoulPancake. Thank you for creating this!

0