Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson Conversation
A lot of the content on this blog has to do with my stumbling around through life--one thing leads to the next, whether on the internet, a random conversation with a complete stranger, or in daily life and I follow the thread. I happened on this very early this morning because of jet lag--I woke up at 2 am, just the time I would have been taking an early morning swim on the other side of the Atlantic. This conversation between Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson struck me as particularly wise about life and the interface between spirituality and politics. Definitely well worth the listen, even a few times over...
Wynwood Walls
Video by Christian Liisberg, Music by Mexican Singer-Songwriter Joan Sebastian (1951-2015)
In 2009, real estate investor Tony Goldman (1943 - 2012) looked for a way to revitalize the rundown Wynwood section of Miami. As a real estate developer, his idea was to take failing neighborhoods and transform them into cultural oases as he had done previously in New York City (Soho) and Philadelphia (13th Street). Goldman envisioned Wynwood to be an open air gallery and a celebration of street art and graffiti, an art form he felt was under appreciated. Beginning with just a few artists, it has since blossomed into over 80,000 square feet of painted murals from hundreds of artists from around the world and has become a major tourist attraction in Miami.
My friend and gallery owner Christian Liisberg produced this video of the area on a visit he and his wife Annette took to Florida a few years ago and set it to the music of Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Sebastian.
Good Advice
Found this quote on instagram this past week, posted by someone who calls himself BeingAwoke. It may sound crude but every word of it is good advice:
"Love your fucking life. Take pictures of everything. Tell people you love them. Talk to random strangers. Do things that you are scared to do. Fuck it, because so many of us die and nobody remembers a thing we did. Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Don't waste that shit..."
And in the comments below it, someone had written something like "a lot more people would listen to your message if you didn't use so many curse words..." to which I replied with something I had read long ago: people who swear a lot are happier people. And then I got a reply from the author of the original quote saying: "you're fucking right!"
Whole Woman's Health
Please donate to this organization that helps women get the support they need to navigate the abortion bans and get to states where abortion remains legal.
Paintings of the Week
Summer Flowers I, II, III, mixed media on paper, 28” x 19 1/2” each
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.