Life is Art

Hey Friend,

What a fun week. We didn't have any flight issues coming back. However it continued to rain our final day-and-a-half in Portland. We still walked a ridiculous amount of steps. My daughter and I like to go to museums, art galleries and any creative places we can find. She's crafty, creative and clever. We went to a production of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, as well.

It's basically a one man show. The actor had his work cut out for him, because the structure is consistent for 90 minutes. He gets a letter from his demon nephew and responds. That's it. No set changes. No intermission. No other characters. Though there is a second person on stage, who is the scribe. He doesn't speak the whole play, though does make sounds.

One of the art stores we went in the artist was there, as they tend to be. It was his little shop and he had a few local artist, but mostly it was his stuff. His art was an interesting combination of photography with drawings overlaid. We talked for some time. He referred to them as collages. With each picture he had started writing stories that go along with it.

For 25 years he's been taking pictures, for 16 years he's been drawing and for 8 years he's been writing. I was fascinated by the contrasting imagery and overlaid drawings. They were mostly kids playing or being in unusual, real settings. I got a simple one, because I loved the hopefulness of it.

MASH UP

I'm regularly amazed at how life creates mash-ups. Different elements that seemingly don't belong together end up coalescing into a unique expression. AI is giving people all kinds of opportunities to generate silly mash ups. I saw a short video this week of the OJ Simpson trial turned into an amusement park ride. Odd combination, but brought a smile.

Outside of the digital realm, the physical world provides numerous variations. From marriage to work to hobbies, the combining of disparate materials to fashion a wholly unique option seems divine. We inherently resist the uncommon in our life. "That's not me." "I don't like that." "That's not my style." "I would never." Our aversion to assimilating the unlikely into our daily life causes missed growth opportunities and less delight.

MINDSHIFT

What if this week you intentionally incorporated something into your life that is so wildly different than your norm?

LIFE IS ART

Creative expression entrances me. The combination of imagination, skill, medium and materials ignites my soul. "How do they do that?" is a common refrain bouncing around my brain. Everyday you and I are creating a masterpiece. We each use those four tools differently, but we're all working on the same canvas: TODAY.

What I also love about art is the same piece of work can make an entirely different impression on each individual experiencing it. Isn't that true of life? Heck, you and probably one other person are reading this right now and drawing different conclusions! YOU make a unique impact on each person you encounter. I love that. The people all around us observe us and draw conclusions from their own lens and filter. Like art, we are up for interpretation.

MINDSHIFT

What if you saw yourself as art; therefore anyone's opinion about you was more reflective of them, than you?

GRAFFITI BABY

Besides the classic art, there were a bunch of buildings graffitied. "Street art" is cool, detailed and inspiring too. Honestly, I more relate to it, than museum/store. Rogue individuals who don't fit in the system yet still want to express themselves. I feel them. I see them. I appreciate them.

They take something plain, boring and ugly - sides of buildings - and generate beauty. Who doesn't want that?

This week I invited a few friends, family, colleagues and clients to write a brief review for my upcoming book. I sent along sample chapters, a summary and some examples of what a review could sound like. I would love for you to join in the fun. Please let me know if you're willing. I feel like this whole book endeavor is graffiti. I'm just trying to splash a little beauty into the world.

SHIFTING

I hope this week you see yourself and this life as an artistic expression combining the expected and unexpected. Live as the masterpiece you are, regardless of the reviews or interpretations! #ShiftAway