It's the eve of Thanksgiving. I sit at the island in this marvelous kitchen with a most marvelous man who stands across from me as he reads. I am very blessed ... and he, being as marvelous as he is, knows the blessing is mutual. We are educating each other from our individual stores of gathered experience. We do this daily, nightly, during our free time together... and I will speak for myself about the benefits to me.
Last night we finished a study of The Pacific ... the HBO mini-series (2010), produced by Hanks and Spielberg. I am amazed at how much I didn't know about the causes, losses, and gains painfully accrued during this particular front (or any front for that matter) in World War ll. In fact, I knew nothing really about the personal sacrifices (psychologcal trauma, exhaustion, chronic and pervasive sleeplessness, unrequited thirst and hunger, unpredictable and mercilessly prolonged danger, gashes, explosions, concussions, rotting bodies, putrid water, maggots, unbearable heat and frigid conditions) made by those who were drafted or enlisted into service ... representing the rest of us who got to stay safe in our homeland.
If I didn't know better about the psychological and social destructiveness of shame, I would feel ashamed.
Instead, I choose the road offered through the thinking of Campaign for Consciousness ... I choose to notice and expose the extraordinary! Honoring the extraordinary sacrifices revealed in The Pacific, in a concrete and earthy way, I decided to tithe to those who sacrifice for me and mine, right here and now. I committed to tithe monthly to our current wounded warriors and the families they come home to after giving their all for all of us (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Tithing is the spiritual practice of giving from our time, talent, or treasure to individuals/groups who nourish us, take care of us, feed us, work for good on our behalf. I can celebrate my "Thanksgiving" now monthly...and remind myself that I am doing something that honors those who made and make amazing sacrifices on my behalf, in place of me.
It's good to know where our blind spots have been on the way to becoming a more progressively educated person -wherever our blind spots have appeared overtime. It's good to rewire ourselves regularly, to engage in the renewal process of rewirement. We need each other to keep ourselves growing greater integrity. Alone, we can think we know whatever we need to know. In close and persistent communion with others, our blind spots cannot help but show up. To live is to keep an open mind, to keep learning, to become more fully ourselves than we were yesterday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Campaign For Consciousness ... take the 40 day challenge?
If we really want to generate a change in the world around us, we do this best by creating a change from within ourselves. Be the change we seek. Deviate from the hum-drum in a significant way...and others can feel the difference, want to experience that difference as well. Rewire yourself... for the better!
Try this affirmation and notice what difference it makes each time you affirm the good within and around over the remaining days. If you find a shift in perspective that you would like to experience more consistently, come visit us, join with us at www.CampaignforConsciousness.com
Try this affirmation and notice what difference it makes each time you affirm the good within and around over the remaining days. If you find a shift in perspective that you would like to experience more consistently, come visit us, join with us at www.CampaignforConsciousness.com
September 10th ~ October 19th 40 Days of Daily Affirmation
We believe in a universe that celebrates the extraordinary! Consciously, we
attune to the good around us, among us and within us. We see beauty, hear harmony,
and speak gratitude.
Together, we release any collective habits of finding the negative. As we value and
support the good in each moment, waste and neglect are obsolete. We co-create a world
where our talents, ideas, and mindful intentions move forward swiftly, engineering
excellence.
Everywhere we look, merit is revealed. No good goes unnoticed. Paying it forward, we
speak up when we see great good shared. We give our time, energy and attention to that
which we want to expand. As we affirm this realization, its activity multiplies. We
acknowledge, we admire and we inspire.
www.campaignforconsciousness.com
Monday, July 11, 2011
Norman Rockwell, just one Americana model of excellence!
Stockbridge, Massachusetts is the final home and workplace of Norman. And his mid-eighteenth century Americana town still reflects what remains sustainable and worthwhile in the heart of common middle-American folk culture: modest but thoughtfully-stocked shops, under-stated signage (drive slowly though and keep your eyes pealed for points of interest), ample parking (complimentary), tree-lined streets shading strollers (or walk on the sunny-side sun-worshipers), friendly and attentive service (in each place we visited).
The historic Red Lion Inn offers not only a menu honoring our vegetarian palates and our carnivore neighbors, but a full range of seating choices! Linens deck antique tables in the spacious dining room, a sprawling outdoor patio sports wide umbrellas, wicker love seats and wooden rockers line the expansive front porch (for drinks), and best of all (in my opinion) the paneled tavern preserves the historic atmosphere of a hearty meal paired with local brews! (Reports note that Norman loved -and rendered in his own works- such dark paneled rooms painted by Dutch masters.) Our pleased party sampled ale, wine, and old-fashioned lemonade ... food and drinks were decidedly delightful!
In his painting, Stockbridge "Main Street at Christmas," Norman placed his studio in the right hand corner, just beyond the Red Lion Inn. After an awe-inspiring tour of the museum's main gallery, we descended to the lower-level and faced a jaw-dropping display of every cover Norman painted for The Saturday Evening Post. From the dates on each magazine, we figured Norman was an extraordinarily productive master. His deadlines demanded an amazing visual cover "story" every two to six weeks for nearly half a century! Awe-struck, we headed for Rockwell's studio.
Positioned now on museum grounds, this matte russet studio is trimmed in pale delft blue and overlooks the beloved Berkshire folk scenes Norman preserved for all time. Standing beneath his very own foot-worn step, I felt as if I was standing on holy ground. This amazing artist rendered American humanity at our best ... striving, questioning, compassionate, persevering, simple but honorable, proud but ultimately responsive to amassing calls for positively principled social evolution. What I question in the documentary of Norman's life and work is an interview response where he diminished the value of his illustrative art relative to "fine art."
Norman, I disagree that the masters rendered art more valuable, of higher quality than your illustrative documentary of American folk culture. And now, from the other side, in retrospect and with a virtual panoramic view, I suspect you might update and revise your expressed opinion also! Human beings are story-telling creatures ... and our current stories build upon the stories and progress of all those who lived and worked, birthed and passed on before us. Your work tells THAT story ...the story of us across time in this world. Your art offers vistas of "us," allowing us to see our bigger picture mapped out carefully, mindfully, appreciatively. And your artifacts, documented and preserved, reveal that you rendered "us" by means that technologically speaking were everywhere as fine as the "masters."(See Art Critic, 1955)
I pose instead that your works reveal art at an even higher level than what is traditionally considered "fine art." For you brought your subjects (us) not only alive in all our expressions of myriad personalities, but you contextualized us through our evolving stories reflected in paintings across time ... stories of our home lives, work lives, private lives, public lives - our hopes, desires and dreams. Your art is a testimony to the best of us ... our aspirations, traditions, institutions, failures, and restoration of union. And over the years, your very fine art illustrates our engagement in collaboration for vital social change ... for the progress of all.
Thank you, Normal Rockwell ... and thank you, Stockbridge!
The historic Red Lion Inn offers not only a menu honoring our vegetarian palates and our carnivore neighbors, but a full range of seating choices! Linens deck antique tables in the spacious dining room, a sprawling outdoor patio sports wide umbrellas, wicker love seats and wooden rockers line the expansive front porch (for drinks), and best of all (in my opinion) the paneled tavern preserves the historic atmosphere of a hearty meal paired with local brews! (Reports note that Norman loved -and rendered in his own works- such dark paneled rooms painted by Dutch masters.) Our pleased party sampled ale, wine, and old-fashioned lemonade ... food and drinks were decidedly delightful!
In his painting, Stockbridge "Main Street at Christmas," Norman placed his studio in the right hand corner, just beyond the Red Lion Inn. After an awe-inspiring tour of the museum's main gallery, we descended to the lower-level and faced a jaw-dropping display of every cover Norman painted for The Saturday Evening Post. From the dates on each magazine, we figured Norman was an extraordinarily productive master. His deadlines demanded an amazing visual cover "story" every two to six weeks for nearly half a century! Awe-struck, we headed for Rockwell's studio.
Positioned now on museum grounds, this matte russet studio is trimmed in pale delft blue and overlooks the beloved Berkshire folk scenes Norman preserved for all time. Standing beneath his very own foot-worn step, I felt as if I was standing on holy ground. This amazing artist rendered American humanity at our best ... striving, questioning, compassionate, persevering, simple but honorable, proud but ultimately responsive to amassing calls for positively principled social evolution. What I question in the documentary of Norman's life and work is an interview response where he diminished the value of his illustrative art relative to "fine art."
Norman, I disagree that the masters rendered art more valuable, of higher quality than your illustrative documentary of American folk culture. And now, from the other side, in retrospect and with a virtual panoramic view, I suspect you might update and revise your expressed opinion also! Human beings are story-telling creatures ... and our current stories build upon the stories and progress of all those who lived and worked, birthed and passed on before us. Your work tells THAT story ...the story of us across time in this world. Your art offers vistas of "us," allowing us to see our bigger picture mapped out carefully, mindfully, appreciatively. And your artifacts, documented and preserved, reveal that you rendered "us" by means that technologically speaking were everywhere as fine as the "masters."(See Art Critic, 1955)
I pose instead that your works reveal art at an even higher level than what is traditionally considered "fine art." For you brought your subjects (us) not only alive in all our expressions of myriad personalities, but you contextualized us through our evolving stories reflected in paintings across time ... stories of our home lives, work lives, private lives, public lives - our hopes, desires and dreams. Your art is a testimony to the best of us ... our aspirations, traditions, institutions, failures, and restoration of union. And over the years, your very fine art illustrates our engagement in collaboration for vital social change ... for the progress of all.
Thank you, Normal Rockwell ... and thank you, Stockbridge!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Detecting the Seeds of Matured Qualities
The Universe according to TUT is absolutely brilliant!
Today's guidance offered the seed of discretion ...for the quality of VALOR
Th seed of spontaneity for the quality of BRILLIANCE
AND imagination for MAKING our DREAMS come true!
Try it...and come on back and talk about our findings!
Today's guidance offered the seed of discretion ...for the quality of VALOR
Th seed of spontaneity for the quality of BRILLIANCE
AND imagination for MAKING our DREAMS come true!
Try it...and come on back and talk about our findings!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)