Finding Beauty In a Storm

I haven't posted in quite some time.  Mostly because of what I'd like to call  my "transitioning phase".  There were some things I had to discover and learn about myself.  I had to do some internal searching to get back to who I was as a person, not living my life through the eyes or expectations of others.  So with that being said, you can expect regular postings from me and some changes in design on this blog.  As I said before you can be inspired by a number of things.  One of my favorite inspirations is Biblical scriptures.  Actually they have been more than inspirations but have literally been a foundation and a life guide for me.

Through various events this past year and most recently hurricane Irene which affected the East Coast, I've discovered that simple things matter.  I recently began documenting the simple things in life through photograpghy.  I'd bring my camera with me and snap photos during my daily routine.  I found that doing this forces me to slow down and appreciate my surroundings.  During this hurricane the general mood was panic and preservation.  However, there was a sense of calm I felt during the entire process and the days leading up to the storm.  Don't get me worng I did prepare accordingly for what the forecasters were predicting.  I felt settled and anchored in my spirit, however.  This is the affect the Scriptures have on me.  With everything going on around me, I knew that God was in control.

Similarly, the storms of life may rise up and seem to overtake you or surround you but there is a stillness and a peace in God that is often undescribable.  His love for you never fails and you begin to realize at the point of your greatest turmoil that he has well prepared you for everything you are about to face.  Therefore approach each challenge with the mindset that it is preparing you for something greater.  There is good to be found in the worst of situations.  I think these two photos are a great juxtaposition of destruction and beauty.  Any thoughts? Feel free to share.

A Century old tree snapped in two by the affects of Hurricane Irene

Calm Skies the day after Hurricane Irene

                            

We Knew the Yankees Won but Who Knew This?

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City and Philadelphia Mayor Micahel A. Nutter settle a score. After losing the World Series, the losing city's, Mayor Nutter, travelled back to New York City, the winning hometown for a volunteer public service project in which he helped to paint a local public school in the Bronx - all while wearing a Yankees jersey with our MVP, Hideki Matsui. Oh well, maybe next year (maybe not). Sorry Philly no bad feelings. Both agreed to projects regardless of the outcome however. Mayor Bloomberg committed to Publicolor, a program that helps at-risk youth develop painting skills and restore public spaces, while Mayor Nutter committed to painting a mural in Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program. This is an interesting way of using the arts to get communities more involved. What do you think about this? Post your comments and feedback below.

Inspirations Are Closer Than You Think

Inspirations are closer than you think. Just look around you. What do you see that interests you or looks interesting or better yet what do you see that is unusual or out of the ordinary.

I'm always looking for opportunites to be creative. It can be a color, shape, design, or even fashion and clothing. Are there particular designs or designers that you enjoy wearing?

Are there colors that appeal to you? Transfer these ideas and concepts into your work. I'm not saying copy them but be inspired by them and use them to create your own original designs. Maybe it's a pattern or a texture, whatever the case the design can be used to create a visually interesting piece. Sometimes I'm on the subway staring at subway posters. I choose a color combination that I like and use that in a painting. If you keep an open eye, you are guaranteed to find inspiration in your very near surroundings.

Not in Your Own Strength or Your Own Power

As creative people, we are fueled by our creative energy. There are so many things we want to do and master. Many of us are perfectionists and are absorbed with every little detail.

There comes a time when all of our strength, our resources, and even our knowledge is exhausted. We must realize that these times do in fact occur. There are some things we can't just get done on our own. We demand too much of ourselves and add extra pressure that shouldn't even be there.

There will come times when we have to surrender. There will always be circumstances beyond our control. In those times, it is okay to surrender, to surrender to a God much higher than ourselves who can help us and give us strength. It's not a sign of weakness but wisdom. This is important because it speaks of your health-mental, physical, and spiritual stability. Balance is key. You need this for you and those around you. What good are you to yourself, your friends, family and co-workers if you are mentally exhausted and worn out? Forget the desire to please others. They will form their opinions of you anyway whether you're performing at your optimum level or are trying to perform depleted. God knows our frame. He remembers that we are human with faults and errors.

Learn to release and relax so that something new and inspiring can come in, possibly a solution in the form of a new idea, a new approach to solving the problem, or maybe even someone who can help you get the job done. Whatever the stress, whatever the tension, let it all go. You will find that a whole new world opens up for you.

Who ever achieved success without having to give something up in return? Don't think you can do it all because you can't and if you try your best at being your best, you will soon find out that it's impossible. Give yourself a break by taking a break. Spend some time with family or friends. Do something relaxing. Rely on the strength of God and not your own. How do I do this, you may be asking. By trusting daily. He is a God that wants to draw near to you and give you assistance. He can strengthen you in areas where no one else can. He knows where you need it the most. He will cause you to excel in areas you thought you were the weakest. You will be amazed. Everyone around you will be amazed. Letting go and learning to release is a daily process.

So You Think You Can Dance

I love dance. I happen to be an avid viewer of So You Think You Can Dance. I think Mia Michaels is one of the most original and creative choreographers on the show. Not that the others are bad, she just happens to be my personal favorite.

I was happy with the final results. Jeanine won! She had great timing and movement. She was able to evoke the right emotions for each dance.

I didn't get a chance to follow it this year as much as I did in previous years but during the final show, I saw a performance that was very compelling.

It was a dance choreographed by Tyce DiOrio as a tribute to a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The dancers were Melissa and Ade. It was awesome to find out that this lady, whom the tribute was for, was cancer free by the final show. I found the dance to be very inspiring. For Tyce to take the vision and emotion that he felt from that experience and bring it to life through dance was incredible. What further shocked me was that these dancers, Melissa and Ade, were able to pour all of themselves into this dance and capture the relationship and pure emotion between Tyce and his cancer diagnosed friend, leaving the audience and judges in tears.

Performances like this are so powerful. They are able to go right into the heart and pull out emotions that we never even knew were there. They have such a powerful impact on our hearts, minds, and emotions. The arts have the capability to move people. In whatever creative act you are doing, give it your all even if you have an audience of one. The effects can be explosive and earth shattering. When you pour out of yourself, in turn, you will also find yourself being filled back up with gratification, appreciation, and love.

To Maxwell's This Woman's Work:

Change

Hey there. Please bear with me as I make some creative changes to my blog. I've come to realize that change is not necessarily a bad thing. New opportunities and new ideas actually bring on new lessons to be learned and new solutions to be solved. As we are preparing for destiny, change is necessary although it is certainly not always easy. I have been studying artists, entertainers, musicians, and great people who have really inspired me to do something different and to not be afraid to stand out in the crowd.

So how can I talk about great entertainers withut mentioning Michael Jackson whose sudden death stunned the world. I wanted to write about him earlier but couldn't find the words to express my heartfelt sympathy. I was deeply touched by the circumstances involving his death but looking back on his music and legacy, I discovered that he was a man of depth, inspiration, and deep creativity. It's so sad that we never really realize what stands before us until it is gone.

Nevertheless, his drive for purpose, motivation, and passion is what motivates me. He gave more than 100 percent of his time and energy. He gave more than what was required but he gave it more for the service of others rather than for himself. As he sought to reach out to the hearts of his fans and to create everlasting work that motivated their spirits to want to change, he in turn, I believe received great satisfaction.

I've realized that change is never really about us but it is about letting go of something old so that something new can come in, releasing dead things so that new life can begin. It is only with innovation and change that we are able to reach our maximum potential. Here we see, discover, and create new things. We solve things that we feel shouldn't be and we find solutions to old, stagnant ways of thinking and existing. Change signifies hope but faith replaces hope. Faith is concrete evidence that it will happen and it is taking the necessary steps to make it happen!

Open up your mind and your heart to CHANGE. Don't resist it. Don't wait for your change to come to you. You be the change agent. Discover your passion, your purpose, and run with it. Take it as far as you can go despite obstacles, hinderances, and the dreadful word, "NO". There is a "YES" living on the inside of your spirit that keeps pushing you toward your dreams, goals, and visions. It speaks much louder than any "No" you can receive. The rewards are much greater than your eyes can see. Greatness awaits you!

He Will Be Missed!

Pressure

Have you ever felt like all the circumstances and issues in your life were just too much pressure? Did you ever want to tell everyone around you to just go away and leave you be? It's important that you have no fear of pressure. Pressure is the fuel needed to create your change. It is a true test of your character. What substance are you made of? What is really the core to who you are? What comes out of your mouth defines you and tells the world what type of person you are when under pressure.

Some people work well under pressure while others don't. Pressure is never about others but it's really all about you. Pressure is actually doing something for you. You can use it to your benefit by allowing it to produce greatness in you. This also requires patience and durability. Continue creating and challenging yourself to envision and see the positive even in negative situations despite the pressure. You may find that some of your greatest works will derive out of pressure.