Uniquely Yours

There are times, when you least expect it, that life's reflections appear. So clearly do they mirror our most intimate thoughts and dreams that they become us if only for the moment. Crystal clear reflections so tragically beautiful, so uplifting and sad, yet so perfectly perfect in their intent.

The other day I saw myself in a window in my new neighborhood. I thought to myself where was I when this picture was taken last? Who and where was I at that space in time? As I continued on I remembered so many intimate moments of that very occurrence but it was a younger me and so many other places ago.

There is a shopping center nearby that reminds me of Los Angeles and another that is most definitely New York. There is campus that could be in Seattle and a Canal that might be Miami. All these sounds and vistas trigger other moments in time when an aging ingenue strolled the streets of life in search of himself and finding, after all that he was always there, just behind, if only one were to stop and look.

Why is it that we so desperately run from what we know, eagerly leaping into the arms of distant strangers. Is it that we are impatient for the future or merely bored by the past. Or is it maybe that we need the new and exciting lest we become stagnant and fixed in the forever, a picture of who we are and no more.

Can time exist in a capsule? Can a life force become a moment? And in the end, after all is said and done, can there be anymore? I say yes. Tomorrow is the product of all the reflections of yesterday and today, and, like a digital recording can exist as past, present and future if we only let it be.

So frame your reflections and keep them in your heart because they are, after all the, special things that make you uniquely yours!

It's A Grand Old Flag

Cool right? When I first saw this ad for a black and white tee-shirt for the fourth of July, I thought how interesting that our flag is so iconic, even in black and white you can still feel the colors!

Then it occurred to me that the flag was being displayed incorrectly. The union jack should always be on the left when hung this way. In fact, displaying the flag in this matter means distress. Perhaps this was the thought when the designer made this tee- shirt? Maybe he or she was being facetious by calling attention to the fact that our nation is a bit confused these days, what with supreme court decisions all over the board and political parties that have no identity, unless you call indecision and bigotry good symbols to define their directions.

When wealth and religion become the driving factors in forming a national platform, something is seriously wrong. When the everyday "Joe & Jill" are more concerned with their iPads and Walmart prices than quality and honesty, this is what happens.

Too bad that we can't just have a "do over" and reset our priorities. Just imagine if we all could merely slow down long enough to see the disasters that we are side stepping everyday, and the deadly dumbing of a once great culture such as ours.

Today I saw a tee-shirt, probably made in China or India, or anyone of a hundred other sweat shops around the world, with union jack on the wrong side. To me this says "what the hell, it's cute, it's trendy and it's cheap". What else should matter since I will probably wear it once and throw it away.

I think not. What should matter on this fourth of July is the fact that our great nation is becoming sedentary and complacent. But there is a new wind stirring. I felt it in the air just the other day. I felt it in the striking down of DOMA, in the ruling on emigration and equal rights. There is definitely a stirring in the atmosphere and I can see it coming over the horizon like a distant vision of hope. The ghosts of greatness that once formed a perfect union are ready to march again. The question is ... Are we ready to follow?

Happy 4h of July ... and may our tomorrows be worn in pride rather than distress!

Aging Naturally



So, which looks good to you - younger, older, perhaps in between?

As we age life seems to imprint on us a series of seasons much like the rings of the giant redwood tree or perhaps the gentle willow. Whatever the species, we grow our rings to determine time and our bark becomes a sort of brittle. In times of plenty or times of drought our building blocks continue to stack and become, in the end, that thing we call ourselves.

When left to its own devices our growth and direction will by nature become a thing of beauty. Mellowed by the kiss of time we become a unique and wondrous work of art. However, if too much intention to the material world is paid we might instead become creatures of desire causing instead a bitter picture of all that is wrong indeed.

Today I woke up with the sun and looked out at my garden. The trees and flowers filled my heart with joy and promise. I thought to myself, what is it that provides this feeling of euphoria in nature? Then it occurred to me that perhaps it is the contentment found when nature takes the lead and the rhythm of the universe is let to its own. Once I had unleashed the symphony it became its own special song and the melody resonated in my ears.

There is a new pictures that I am painting here on 15th Street. It is the picture of mature contentment and placid existence. The street and it's environs have a special neighborhood feel mixed with city sleek and sprinkled with an international population. There is most definitely an overall academic undertone as well. The result is sort of urban utopia and it is resonating in me.

I think we shall like it here very much. It is a new garden and we seem to be thriving. Oh, and I seem to be getting younger again. There is magic here ...