Inspirational Pathways

Cathy Malchiodi is a visual artist, therapist and scholar who shares on her blog the story of Jimmy Miriktani who offers the inspirational idea : "Art is the Only Thing That’s Left in the World." The unfolding of Mr Miriktani's life is filled with tales of many upheavals, the bigger picture is heartening. Mr Miriktani is an American citizen, born in California, and lived for much of his early life in Hiroshima, Japan. Upon returning to the states, just prior to the Pearl Harbour attack, Mr Miriktani was caught in the severe reactions to the bombings and was incarcerated for many years with fellow Japanese/Americans. His life's journey reveals the dream of being an artist through a path that was fought with homelessness and oftentimes misery. In her inspirational article Ms Malchiohi unfolds this story further to reveal an awakening for Mr Miriktani and a deepening of our understanding of how the arts and creative expression are healing forces. " Gene Coh...

John Guare , the American playwright and author of Six Degrees of Separation in a recent interview was asked to explain how he has been able to sustain himself through the high and low times of creative market returns. Guare declared "Theater is like living in an ocean where currents can take you far, far out or deliver you to shore. You have to learn to ride the currents, though you can't predict what the oceans will do." This stuck me as a perfect metaphor for all of living, whatever is our occupation. We are constantly presented with emotional and physical forces that are willing us to take up fight and struggle, manifested through our desire to control the environment and truly harness our spirit. The art of living is filled with powerful currents and profound highs and lows, as Guare suggests, if we devote ourselves to a profound understanding of our intrinsic nature, a shift in consciousness is realized. Rather than approach living, as a drowning sailor in turbul...

Luisa makes and excellent point "It is also true that people who want to change their life and find new challenges have to put themselves in the right direction...ie in the direction of "changing"!" I agree, change is more than day dreaming and assuming that our preferred direction and goals will be attained. Change is based upon specific choices, life commitment and action. Being in the right place at the right time is more reliant upon our willingness to accept our challenges and move ahead regardless. Thanks Luisa for your participation. Lylie

After a struggle, that at times seemed endless, I have come upon a place that I am proud to inhabit. I am thankful to my partner, coaches, and training sessions who have allowed me to realize that the wall of resistance that I have been pounding upon is a deeply known part of my reality. This reality is grounded in my heritage and life experiences. Although helpful in the face of crisis’s, for productive living, this mode of living has proven to be like a mule toiling at a grain mill – grinding away, yet stuck in drudgery. I have made a much needed decision. I now choose to deeply embrace with gusto my energies and time to the promotion o f my professional creative services. Where ever I live, I know that my unique qualities are in demand and as I implement my goals everything that has been a struggle shall inform my new journey.