A Plethora of P’s / #53: Path

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

Some of us, especially when we’re young adults, think we need to follow a set path. Line it up, stay on course. If you falter, get up, brush yourself off and carry on. And there is much truth in that ~  because if we try to follow too many paths at one time, we can become a.) overwhelmed and b.) lost. One path allows us to define a direction, set goals, see progress, maybe even see down the road a bit.

But life teaches us that a clear path isn’t necessarily what it seems. We learn that “things happen”, causing us to change course. There are detours, and there’s debris along the way. Not all the stones are smooth and flat, or angled just so. They might suddenly veer off, dip, crack or overlap. You might have to go through some muddy parts.

And besides all that, how do you know if you’re on the right path? And what happens when you stumble upon a different path? One that looks more inviting?  Ah… that can really mess you up, if you’re humming along, thinking you’ve got this all nailed down pat. Are we really on track, or just kidding ourselves?

Maybe though, we could see many of those dips and swerves as opportunities. Adventure. Choices. After all, who’s to say what path is right for any one individual? Who decides? Who really knows?

Except that when it’s right, it feels right. Right there in your gut. You feel stronger, with more clarity, more determination, more light. Your dreams kick in. Obstacles? Surpassable. Detours? Hey, maybe they’re enhancements.

So go ahead and follow your path, your calling, your dream, even if it you don’t know for sure that it’s “the one”. With a plan in your pocket and an open mind, follow what lights you up, because in taking action, taking steps, you might even stumble upon something better.

0

“We Are You Project” Art Exhibition

Last weekend a new exhibit opened in Manhattan’s lower east side Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba.

In recent years I’ve gotten to know and respect several of the participating artists, on occasion sharing gallery space with them, and wanted to show my support. I was also intrigued by the show’s theme: “We Are You”. A simple phrase, but deceptively potent and full. I like how it causes the mind to bend a bit.

As a body of work, the exhibit is described as “an artistic overview of the current state of Latino socio-cultural, political, and economic conditions in the 21st Century  …   reflected in paintings and prints by thirty-three prominent, contemporary Hispanic artists whose trans-cultural and pan-Latino-heritage can be traced to many and diverse Ibero-American traditions, including Mexico, Puerto-Rico, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Spain and Portugal.  Most importantly, each artist or their families have experienced the perspective of being an immigrant, refugee, a migrant, expatriate, or nomad, who gratefully found a new home in the United States, and where over the course of years, they have attained professional success by expressing both their vision and unique personal story.”

They’re an impassioned crowd, friendly and welcoming, and the art was fantastic, with wonderfully varied expressions of what was so eloquently stated in the above press release. Here’s a sampling of what’s on display. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth a visit.

Full listing of “We Are You” exhibiting artists:

José Acosta, Efren Alvárez, Nelson Alvárez, Willie Báez, Josephine Barreiro, Hugo X. Bastidas,, Monica S. Camin, Priscila De Carvalho, Jacqui Casale, Gerardo Castro, Pablo Caviedes, Carlos Chavez, William Coronado, Maritza Dávila, Rosario D’Rivera, Fernando Goldoni, Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo, Roberto Marquez, Raphael Montañez Ortíz, Hugo Morales, Lisette Morel, Gabriel Navar, Julio Nazario, Jimmy Peña, Joe Peňa, Duda Penteado,  Mel Ramos, Rolando Reyna, Jesús Rivera, José Rodeiro, Marta Sanchez, Sergio Villamizar and Raúl Villarreal.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 6 pm or by appointment
Gallery Location: 219 East 2nd Street at Avenue B

The exhibit runs through May 5, 2012.

For further information about the show and related events please contact Kenkeleba Gallery Director at (212) 674-3939 and/or visit the project’s website at:  http://www.weareyouproject.org

0

“where in the world is peace?” … community art park

These terrific pictures were shot in downtown Dayton, Ohio at Garden Station ~ an old rundown railroad turned dumping ground turned into a community garden/art park by a local artist collective. Positive hearts and minds in action ~ love it!

detail of "Peace Wall" ~ Garden Station, Dayton, Ohio

"Peace Trees" ~ Garden Station, Dayton, Ohio

full view of "Peace Wall", Garden Station, Dayton, Ohio

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 and we’ll also post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

0

Have a Seat!

I’m not sure I’d want to sit for long, but discovering these creatively recycled chairs by New York sculpture artist Linus Corraggio sure made me smile. Great craftsmanship with marvelous personality.

These pieces can be seen at the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba, 219 E. 2nd Street, New York, NY. They’re a fairly permanent exhibit, although I understand Mr. Corraggio comes in and switches them around now and then, swapping one piece for another.

According to the lower east side gallery owner, Corraggio was part of the original “Rippington Street School” (I hope I have this right) ~ a collective of sculpture artists in the city, who were ousted from their original location when, of all things, the space was turned into a parking lot (Joni Mitchell sings in my ear…). They moved to another space which was also bought a few years later for commercial purposes, causing the group of artists to disband and find their way individually. But I bet they had a grand time while it lasted.

You can see more work at his website, linuscoraggio.com.

0

“The Happiness Advantage”

OUTSTANDING.

“Train your brain, and create ripples of positivity… ”

Unlike the stereotype of a brooding artist/musician/writer, whose greatest work comes on the back of depressing events, I’m with Shawn Anchor that happiness inspires productivity.

Anchor’s TED talk is entertaining, articulate and wise ~ and makes you feel good at the same time. A must listen!

“If we change our formula for happiness and success, what we can do, is we can change the way we can then affect reality….”

0

Mockingbird’s First Day of Spring

This little fellow is hoping for sunshine. Or maybe he’s up early looking for that first worm. Or could be he’s getting a little bored waiting for the rest of the book to be finished (the one where he has a starring role)…. after those silly dragons have their day in the sun, of course.

(With a few word substitutions, not such different wishes than some of our own, eh?)

Ah, spring ~ full of hopes and dreams, delights and newnesses (even a new word for you) ~ happy first day of it!

0

Nifty Wall Art / Signage / Decor / Whatever

If you’ve got the space, use it well!

Love these great big signs in NYC’s Soho district Starbucks. Super high ceilings and giant windows make it spacious, the organic-feel signs make it cozy, the messaging makes it fun. Nice touch!

0

52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / #64

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.  ~ Irish Blessing

…………  ♣ ………….

52 Weeks of Peace / Week #64 / © Patricia Saxton

Two peace signs this week, I know! There are two reasons for this. One, clearly this design couldn’t wait, since it is, after all, St. Patrick’s Day. Two, I needed an extra dose of peace myself this week. So there you have it.

Top o’the mornin’ to you; may your day be full of blessings! And remember ~ “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures.” :  )

52 Weeks of Peace / Week #64B / © Patricia Saxton

0

52 Weeks of Peace (squared) / #63

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” ~ Albert Einstein

Yesterday was not only Albert Einstein’s birthday, but also National Pi Day.

Yes ~ ∏.  I’ve since learned that National Pie Day is on January 23. Still, one can take artistic license now and again. And besides, it seems a great theory to celebrate both mathematical tributes (Pi and Einstein) with some yummy dessert.

You could even make a mathematical equation in this somewhere, I betcha. The ratio of blueberries to sugar sprinkles? The probability of not a single sugar sprinkle hitting one of the raspberries? The average number of vertical lines in a kiwi slice?

Or maybe not ~ but I think Dr. Einstein would have enjoyed a piece of fruit pie, with a dollop of whipped cream and a nicely sharpened pencil on the side.

0

Time Out: Signs of Spring!

Dear Clients, I’m planning to take the rest of the afternoon off. I hope you don’t mind ~ in fact, I think you should too, and here’s why:

My God, what a gorgeous day! The windows are flung open wide, the sun shines, the air is warm and breezy. Birds chatter, daffodils open, kids walk home from school, sweatshirts abandoned.

Spring is everything delicious. Everything new and reborn. Really it is  ~ because it’s not as though we’ve never seen a daffodil before, but when they bloom each spring there’s a thrill of delight as if it were the first. And when we spot a robin, as if it were a strange and unusual creature, we shout like children, “look – a robin!”.

Our heart feels lighter, our hope expands. A beautiful day like this reminds us that life always chooses to look up, to grow towards the light and surprise us with a million ways to shine, no matter what.

And all that warrants some time out ~ enjoying this early gift from the fickle month of March, for the winds could change tomorrow!

0