Thursday, February 16, 2012
All I Needed to Know I Learned in Preschool
My son is only four years old, but sometimes I am too...and need to be reminded.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Spirituality, Humility and Evolution.
...From her sweet couch up starts the widow'd bride,
Her lord's loved image rushing on her soul,
Throws the rich ornaments of youth aside,
And gives her griefs to flow without control.
--Homer
"Anticipating a unity of nations that was not to become even a tentative reality until the birth of United Nations in 1944 in San Fransico, Aeschylus describes the mortal enemies, Greece and Persia, as "sisters of one race...flawless in beauty and grace."
--Spiritual Evolution
A Scientific Defense of Faith
By: George E. Valliant, M.D.
Near the beginning of the fall of 2011, I was slowly looking around "Garden Ridge" for some Halloween decorations with my kids.
While looking at the piles of books that they have set up haphazardly on enormous tables, I had the fortunate opportunity of stumbling across the book mentioned above and it completely intrigued me. Although I am a firm believer in God and Christ, I have, on numerous occasions, talked in length with my mom about religion and spirituality.
What ties us together in our humanity? The Great Spirit in Native American cultures, Asian religions and styles of belief systems, Judaism and others are all so different ideologically, so what was it that spiritually drew us together. If God made everything in the world, then why do we so easily harken to division?
In fact, one of the greatest things I learned from my family was having #Gratitude. Gratitude for what we did have, and gratitude for what we didn't.
During the twelve centuries between 600 BCE and 700 CD, the spiritual sages and prophets developed cognitive insights and emotional rituals that utilized inborn positive limbic emotions to to counter aggression. The empathic practices of the world's great religions served to mitigate the equally hardwired xenophobia and territoriality that is largely responsible for tribal violence.I loved the idea that we are all tied together, that we all do matter in this "big story" and in humanity's step forward. That we care about each other. That my atheists friends are right. My Muslim friends are right. That my Christian friends are right. That we are ALL right.
Karen Armstrong, a former nun and master of autobiography, is one of the foremost teachers of comparative religion alive today. In her magisterial The Great Transformation, following the 1948 lead of German philosopher Karl Jaspers, Armstrong has titled this period the Axial Age. She sets its dates a little earlier (900-200 BCE) than I do, but her melody is the same. In Armstrong's words, "The Axial Age pushed forward the frontiers of human consciousness and discovered a transcendent dimension in the core of their being, but they did not regard this as supernatural...if the Buddha or Confucius had been asked whether he believed in God, he would probably have winced slightly and explained--with great courtesy--that this was not an appropriate question." What mattered to Confucius, Socrates, Christ, and Isaiah was not what you believed but how you behaved. Show me, don't tell me. "God" was the experience of loving compassion, not an all-powerful, judgmental, and often angry patriarch.
For evolving humanity, the Axial Age also reflected what the Swiss-French developmentalist Jean Piaget was later to call "formal operations." Without formal operations (defined as the capacity to abstract general principles from concrete observations), neither science nor mature morality would be possible. Religions needed to look beyond the letter of law and to distinguish between metaphor and myth. In addition, through disciplined introspection humanity was awakened to the vast reaches of self-hood that lay beneath the surface of their minds. Humanity became fully "self-conscious" The tragedy of fundamentalist religion of all shades and stripes is that it reasons concretely like a third grader, not a tenth-grader.
In his 1990 book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Princeton psychologist Julian Jaynes observed, perhaps too romantically, that the fifth century BCE brought a shift from humans depending upon moral comments from without--the burning bush of Moses and the hallucination of gods' voices in Homer's Illiad--to a world in which morality and responsibility came from within, owing to responsible introspection. Instead of being consigned to Mount Olympus and to Heaven, God could reside within us all.
Instead of conceptualizing gods like the Greek and Aztec deities who, like reptiles, devoured their young (consider Cronus), the culturally evolved fifth-century BCE humans conceived of models like Socrates, the Buddha, and later Christ, who epitomized unselfish love and inspired us to emulate them. During that transformative millenium, the range of people whom a given person felt compelled to regard as equally human greatly expanded. "Tribes" became integrated into empires--a process culminating in both Roman Europe and Chinese Asia. Once the xenophobic, tribal Romans learned to regard millions of "barbarians" as "citizens" not only cities but empires became viable. Today the challenge still remains for Jews, Christians, Hindus, and Muslims to regard one another as fully human. The cultural invention of the Internet may be a step forward.
"Even since the Enlightenment, underneath our rational, postmodern, sophisticated radar screen, human spirituality has continued to evolve culturally. Alfred Nobel grew rich selling the world explosives; his descendants are today as invisible as the ruins of the first Troy. Only Nobel's spiritual legacy of prizes for beauty, truth, and peace live on. You do not have to go back very far in time to find and era when the plague of intertribal wars that afflict Africa today afflicted the entire globe. Over the past two thousand years, larger and larger groups of ethnically diverse people have learned to live together cooperatively. From the unification of China after the chaos of "the Warring States" two millenniaSo, my appreciation to all who have provided streams of information and articles to those of us who have focused solely on matters of the heart. We need each other to survive, we need each other to teach, we need each other to supplement that with which we lack. We can't stand as an independent leader, because we are all leaders. We all rise and we all fall. For some, our dogmatic ideology stands as a source of judgement, but for others, our love of self, and our understanding of life and spirituality allows us to transcend those systems of ideological constraint by understanding independently the responsibility in our lives that we have to others that we love.
We are people, we have souls, we are humbled, we care, we love, we cry, we mourn. We feel...because we exist together.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
"What's Happening On the Internet?"
Tantric. Strange. Desire. Dead.
Tired. Wired. All-knowing. Psyche.
Heaven. Manipulated. Organized. Angels.
Demons. Twisted. Fun-natured. Happy.
Cleaning. Meeting. Singing. Sighing.
Poetry. Destruction. Loathing. Love.
Music. Majestic. Innovative. Key.
Scripture. Silence. Jesus. Dying.
Morality. Demoralize. Pain. Justice.
Time. Worms. Lines. Occu(pie>
Thoughts. Sub-conscious. Free. Caged.
Life. Moar. Excessive. Recessed.
Bronze. Conundrum. Parallel. Crush.
Technology. Relationships. Traditions. Bust.
Lies. Truths. Honesty. Lies.
Persuasion. Cuts. Light. Deeper.
Gypsy. Post. Slut. Standard.
Morality. Ghost. Question. Voice.
Towel. Wet. Crispy. Dry.
Words are fun.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Trends in Color Forecast 2010/2011: Neoteric
NEOTERIC
7 of 7 Video Trend Reports
Produced/Written/Filmed and Edited by: Adair Custom Design
New. Modern. Of recent origin, in other words, the modern art movement. Counter-culture trends that are on the cusp of mainstream acceptance and recognition. Old technology is revisited through steampunk and subversive cross-stitch. Circus motifs, kaleidoscopes, and 1950's futurism collides and creates a grand show.
I am excited to announce that "Trends in Color Forecast 2010/2011" has now become a reality!
These color forecast reports are based on tremendous amounts of research influenced by the economic, social, political, historical and environmental trends of today and tomorrow. I hope they will be helpful and referred to often for trend insight and inspiration.
I am releasing all of my videos one day ahead to my friends through www.BridalTweet.com first. If you are a part of the wedding industry or a bride/groom, I highly recommend joining this excellent social networking site for the most up-to-date information in the wedding arena.
If you would like to contact me, buy an invitation package, or see some graphic design samples, please refer to the following links:
My Etsy Shop:
Facebook Business Page:
Twitter:
The featured artists and designs that have been included in this video are people whom I have had the honor of getting to know through Bridaltweet.com, Twitter, Facebook, etc. I have had an opportunity to see their work, converse with them, and recognize them as people that I see being true artists or trend leaders.
Owner: Susan Starnes
Susan has been making jewelry off and on for several years, and loves to experiment with all different mediums, anything from metalwork, wire wrapping, mixed media, polymer clay, and fiber art. After a year of admiring all the talent on Etsy, Susan decided to open up her own shop. The items in her shop are inspired by nature and she also likes to throw in a touch of whimsical and sometimes the unexpected. Currently, she has been exploring all the creative possibilities of engraving nature inspired artwork on lockets. She has also been using mixed media to further enhance the unique artistic qualities of lockets. The option of also having engraved messages inside the lockets is available.
Stop by her shop and visit! You never know what you may find!
19 Moons Eco Jewelry & Accessories
Owner: Niffer Desmond
www.19moons.com
www.19moons.etsy.com
19 Moons limited edition jewelry is an eco-conscious line by Pittsburgh based creatrix Niffer Desmond. Niffer's diverse background spans fifteen years in assemblage art, animation and jewelry design. Inspired by re-use, machinery and DIY culture, her unique designs integrate these concepts into fashion. Says the artist "I find inspiration everywhere both in nature and the manmade. Organic forms like birds or rocks are on equal footing with perfect circles and squares of type-keys and clocks. Anything that visually sings! I also like the idea of giving old technology new life, appreciating it for its beauty as much as its former function." Indeed the natural and mechanical are juxtaposed in interesting ways in her designs, largely in the vein of Steampunk fashion. Most everything used is vintage and repurposed, becoming wearable art. Says Niffer; "Steampunk is basically a vision of technology of the future through the lens of the 1800’s, as seen in the literature of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and others. My interpretation has it's own twist- using anachronistic technology and natural forms to create emblems and creatures of the fantastical realm."
I'M OVER IT
Sarah Keen
1-877-834-3516
I'm Over It was created after taking a long, hard look at her own jewelry box. Sarah realized that there were just too many pieces that were often ignored and passed over for the newer more exciting ones...pieces she just "had to have" but quite frankly had grown tired of. She was OVER them. What a waste! She just knew she couldn't be the only one struggling with beautiful, but neglected jewelry. Jewelry that had been worn a few times only to be tossed in the back of a jewelry box never to be seen again!
Then the idea hit her...This is Sarah Keen's journey to help women everywhere put an end to beautiful, neglected, over-looked, and ignored jewelry. Stop tossing jewelry in the back of your jewelry box and join I'm Over It as we put an end to unwanted jewelry everywhere!
I'm Over It allows the ability to lease/rent or buy beautiful statement pieces of jewelry.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Trends in Color Forecast 2010/2011: Endurance
Endurance
6of 7 Video Trend Reports
Produced/Written/Filmed and Edited by: Adair Custom Design
Endurance is all about the innovators of today that will lead tomorrow. Endurance portrays a visual representation of why the Handmade and DIY industry is more than just a fad, but an essential part of societal development for 2010/2011 and beyond.
I am excited to announce that "Trends in Color Forecast 2010/2011" has now become a reality!
These color forecast reports are based on tremendous amounts of research influenced by the economic, social, political, historical and environmental trends of today and tomorrow. I hope they will be helpful and referred to often for trend insight and inspiration.
I am releasing all of my videos one day ahead to my friends through www.BridalTweet.com first. If you are a part of the wedding industry or a bride/groom, I highly recommend joining this excellent social networking site for the most up-to-date information in the wedding arena.
If you would like to contact me, buy an invitation package, or see some graphic design samples, please refer to the following links:
My Etsy Shop:
Facebook Business Page:
Twitter:
The featured artists and designs that have been included in this video are people whom I have had the honor of getting to know through Bridaltweet.com, Twitter, Facebook, etc. I have had an opportunity to see their work, converse with them, and recognize them as people that I see being true artists or trend leaders.
Bella Vista Faux Finishing
and Architectural Ornamentation
Katie Mielke, Ownerwww.bellavista.ws
(937)902-4509
Bella Vista Faux Finishing and Architectural Ornamentation combines every day techniques with the unusual to create "walls of wow"! From decorative glaze applications to textural dynamics, Bella Vista embodies art through her unique surfaces.
A graduate of The Columbus College of Art and Design, along with numerous prestigious art studies, Decorative Artisian, Katie Mielke, strives to make each space unique and personal. Bella Vista combines Art Stenciling, Kid Creations, Murals, Old World Textures, and Sophisticated Surfaces to bring about artistic style and flair to any space.
Let Bella Vista add that extra element of design to your home or space through Architectural Ornamentation. Transform an entire church sanctuary through custom designed and inspired ornate decor. Envision the extraordinary and allow Bella Vista to bring it to life!
For more information and to view this artistic expression, go to www.bellavista.ws and see for yourself!
Owner: Susan Starnes
Susan has been making jewelry off and on for several years, and loves to experiment with all different mediums, anything from metalwork, wire wrapping, mixed media, polymer clay, and fiber art. After a year of admiring all the talent on Etsy, Susan decided to open up her own shop. The items in her shop are inspired by nature and she also likes to throw in a touch of whimsical and sometimes the unexpected. Currently, she has been exploring all the creative possibilities of engraving nature inspired artwork on lockets. She has also been using mixed media to further enhance the unique artistic qualities of lockets. The option of also having engraved messages inside the lockets is available.
Stop by her shop and visit! You never know what you may find!
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