Flexibility at Work

So many leadership courses are based on the idea that to improve performance we must firstly sort our thinking out. So we focus on motivation, confidence, self-belief or ways of controlling or removing anxiety and stress. Sounds logical enough. The problem is while this approach makes such intuitive sense to us, the evidence does not support it. 

Our minds are expert problem solving machines which evolved to scan the environment for threat, propose hypotheses, and then prompt action to avoid, control, or get rid of any threats. But when we try to apply the same techniques to our own thoughts, beliefs and emotional states, the evidence is that we make the problem worse, not better.

In contrast, the alternative - psychological flexibility - gives people control over their lives, ironically by letting go of the struggle of trying to control their emotional states.  It is the ability to focus on task-relevant stimuli while feeling negative emotions that drives better performance and reduces distress.

 

Our thoughts and emotions tend to be unreliable indicators of long term value.  We have little control over them and they tend to ebb and flow – sometimes dramatically.  If we trust our thoughts and emotions and act based on them, we can often overlook the more important, sustained patterns of action which bring true meaning, vitality and richness to our lives.

In people who lack psychological flexibility, it might be possible to see:

1. The same old strategies being used over and again while not achieving the desired result (eg working incredibly hard to ‘get things done’ so that family are cared for, even though that leaves the person with pain exhausted and completely unable to emotionally care for the family).
2. People trying all sorts of methods to avoid experiencing something they don’t want (i.e. stopping all enjoyable activities because it increases chronic pain, or attending multiple treatments to get rid of pain, or only doing activities in a certain way to make sure that pain doesn’t become overwhelming)
3. Carrying on with activities despite pain, but ‘enduring’ the pain and feeling distressed or under strain when doing so.

 

To build psychological flexibility, there are three skills which are trained:

1. Increase awareness of the present moment. By increasing one’s sensitivity to what is happening in the present moment we can discriminate between what we observe with our five senses and what our sometimes unreliable (or autopilot) minds tell us is happening.
2. Develop the ability to watch thoughts come and go, and then choosing which thoughts to act on. Rather than getting ‘hooked’ by difficult or disruptive thoughts. It is not about changing thoughts, but changing one’s relationship to them.
3. Focus attention on what it is we really want to achieve. Increasing awareness of an individual’s values helps build motivation and enables people to take positive and sustained action, even when doing so is challenging.

These three skills help counter the factors that underpin poor performance.

 

In a nutshell, psychological flexibility enables people to focus and engage fully in what they are doing rather than getting pushed around by their thoughts and feelings and commit to doing what works more often.

So, how do you put this into action? 

Sports psychologists emphasise the role of the ‘right mindset’ to athletes, telling them to clear their mind, be calm and confident, and to remember their successes. But the reality is that performers are just as filled with doubt, worry and negativity, as the rest of us, even at the elite level. Focusing on getting rid of those thoughts can:

• Be counterproductive – if the athlete tries to get rid of negative thoughts, research shows that thoughts can become more influential, not less, leading to even greater entanglement.
• Detract focus from the present moment –if the athlete starts saying ‘It’s OK, I’m a good kicker, take a deep breath, relax’, then they are not actually focusing on the kick, but on their thoughts.

 

In contrast, the skill of psychological flexibility allows you to be present and accept thoughts – to see negative experiences as normal, while being able to refocus your attention on your chosen behavior, giving you higher levels of motivation, task-focus, wellbeing and performance. Excerpted from Working with ACT

 

"I believe success is preparation, because opportunity is going to knock on your door sooner or later, but are you prepared to answer that?"  - Omar Epps


 

Are You Stuck in a Rut? (Part 1)

Doing the same things in the same way, day after day, can sap our energy and enthusiasm, leaving us unsure how to restore excitement and spontaneity to our lives.This is a clear message that it's time to change, but how?

Lighten up.
Sometimes you need to give yourself a break from the constant nagging, and those shoulda's, woulda's, and coulda's that you keep running through your mind. Chastising yourself is clearly not helping you actually get anything done, not to mention that it's depressing and bad for your emotional well-being. Take the pressure off in any way you can — give yourself a longer deadline on a project, or scratch out all items on your “to do” list that can wait until next week. 

Take stock of your comfort zone.
To get out of your rut, you need to have a good understanding of what —if anything—is keeping you in it.  Are echoes of your past influencing your responses and keeping you stuck in place? Understanding where your responses are coming from is a first step toward getting yourself on the move.

Make a small change.
Even a small alteration in a rut can have remarkably liberating effects, Call someone you haven’t talked to for a long time. Try a new recipe or workout regimen. Instead of watching TV in the evenings, dig into a compelling book.

Set attainable goals.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of change getting out of the rut will entail? When you set goals, keep in mind that we all tend to exaggerate our abilities and we also attribute failure to circumstances beyond our control, rather than ourselves. Be ruthlessly realistic about how well your talents match up with the goal you’ve set. If the rut has to do with a goal you’ve set for yourself that seems unreachable most of the time, you need to pull back and master the thought process called mental contrasting.

Use mental contrasting.
This technique involves keeping your ideal future in mind while also thinking about the factors that may stand in the way of your achieving that future —almost as if you were looking at two images on a split screen. Mental contrasting allows you to be energized and motivated by that desired future, on the one hand, while keeping you realistic about what you need to do to fix potential problems, on the other. This also promotes strategic “If.. then” thinking which allows you to plan your reactions and responses to potential setbacks. Excerpted from Psychology Today


More tips to follow...

Boycott Black Friday





Boycott Black Friday this year and every year. Don't buy anything and help end the madness. I know this is the premium shopping day of the year when businesses make most of their profits for the year, but at what cost? Shoppers who get out at 3 a.m. to save $15 on a tablet usually see it fit to act like animals. Stores can make money year round by providing fair prices and good customer service. We don't have to act like animals anymore. We're better than this.  Join the movement today! 
 

There are gift alternatives that are much more thoughtful and don't help feed the system.  Try making your gifts this year - it can be as simple as cooking or making a gift certificate for a service.  In the past, I've gifted a day of gardening or cleaning to my aging parents.  It gives us time to be together and provides something they really need to boot.  Honestly, in this day and age, everyone just buys what they want.  And most of that they don't really need.  I'll make an exception if I happen to find the perfect gift for someone, but then I also don't save it 'til Christmas and make it special by the fact that it's unexpected.  If you really want to buy something, especially for kids, buy local, and locally made to support your community.

It's time to change and come back to the reason for the season - Acknowledging all that we're thankful for and spending quality time with those we love.

Tea Time #2

I love taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea.  There's something inherently calming about imbibing a warm cup of herbal essence.  Even more enjoyable, is when the tea in question has a meaningful bit of wisdom or inspiration attached to it, as do the Good Earth varieties.  Today's quote is:

"Art is either plagiarism or revolution."  - Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer.  He was an important figure in the Symbolist movement, and his experimentation was indicative of the Synthetist style of modern art. He also paved the way to the appreciation of primitivism. Gauguin styled himself and his art as "savage." Although he began his artistic career with the Impressionists in Paris, during the late 1880's he fled farther and farther from urban civilization in search of an edenic paradise where he could create pure, "primitive" art. Yet his self-imposed exile to the South Seas was not so much an escape from Paris as a bid to become the new leader of the Parisian avant-garde. Gauguin's rejection of his European family, society, and the Paris art world for a life apart, in the land of the "Other," has come to serve as a romantic example of the artist-as-wandering-mystic.

 

Lessons from the Wild #8

By now, you've probably gained a sense of the importance Nature has in my life.  As it should.  In all of ours.  We were born from nature, and we rely on it for the very essence of life.  Every time I have the privilege to be immersed in it, I never fail to gain some new insight.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  - Albert Einstein

My most recent immersion was a 9-day section of the High Sierra Route - a much more adventurous alternative to the popular John Muir Trail across the Eastern Sierras of California.  My aim was to do something more challenging... to get off the beaten path... challenge myself.  And I did.  I traveled almost exclusively cross-country - without a trail - crossing six 12,000' passes, and summiting two 14,000' peaks.  There were many lessons I learned along the way, but chief among them was the importance of finding your own path.   

Humans seek. It's what we do. We seek enlightenment, self-improvement, physical perfection, a shorter commute...  Nature is such a strong force in the world that no matter where we live or what our lifestyle, there is always a bit of the natural world creeping in. Even the concrete jungles of major cities are still home to a number of "greenspaces" where the inspiration of nature can be felt. 

“I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures.”   - Gary Snyder  

If you haven't already realized what life changing effects nature can have, you probably haven't spent much time in natural surroundings.  Or if you have, you haven't really taken the time to gain the awareness of what nature does. Nature is a connection to your soul. It's how you spend time getting to know yourself - your true self.

In modern life, while nature is still present, there is a tangible disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for every ailment, GPS units to navigate, and we get our "food" from the supermarket.  Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things, but we need to keep things in perspective and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered.  There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Research has shown that a connection to nature decreases stress and stimulates healing, and it makes people nicer!

As society continues to become more isolating, a growing number of people are uncertain about what to do with their lives - how to add value to it, provide meaning for it, or to simply find some measure of happiness in it.  Spending time in nature can bring clarity.

“Not all those who wander are lost.”                 - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 

Everyone has heard that life is a journey and not a destination. As we journey through life, we can do so with a path in mind. The path doesn't have to be specific at first, or necessarily ever. It could be one we deliberately set, or one with no deliberate intent. A path is as much an expression of our individuality or uniqueness as it is a direction, purpose, or intent.  Finding the right path means getting to know ourselves first. We can have more than one path going at any given time, so long as they aren't in conflict.

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."   - Henry David Thoreau

The key is to become an intuitive navigator.  Be aware.  Look closely and see the signs, as subtle as they may be.  Respect your own individuality.  Not everyone will see things the same, and you may not have chosen the best path, but there are lessons to be learned on the journey all the same. 

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”   - Ernest Hemingway

Lessons from the Wild #1

I recently returned from a 4-day backpacking trip in the Sierras of California.  Though I've been an avid backpacker for the past 10 years, I never cease to be inspired by the awe of a vast mountain vista, or the tranquility I feel listening to a babbling mountain stream.

John Muir once said, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks".

Nature teaches us many lessons. It reminds us that we need to constantly adapt to conditions, outside forces, and every day challenges in order to survive. It tells us that there will be a tomorrow and that there is beauty in simplicity. Nature is all around us, ready to teach, but many times we’re too busy with everyday life that we forget to tune in and hear what it has to say.  

As a society, we have gotten away from nature. We've moved from an agricultural country to a high-tech world filled with gadgets. Yet the current season seems ripe for many to once again get back to nature and to the land.  There's a growing desire to learn how to not only respect what nature offers us, but to learn from it, and to be in tune with it. From growing your own food, to composting, to preserving food, the time for getting back to nature is flourishing.

Every time that we choose to be in nature, we can also choose to be with nature. What's the difference? There are many people who go to nature, but don't really commune with it. When we're with nature, we become a part of it... of the whole vast and interconnected universe. We are free and playful.  Nature is creation, and when we merge with it, we merge with our own creative self.  

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.”   - John Muir

How to be Creative for Life

Creativity is our life force. It's a wonderful, playful part of our being. All you have to do is remember back to when you were a kid - all those magical adventures where it was effortless. Break the pattern of the typical fear-based and reactive approach where you're looking for what will go wrong. The shift is simple - ask yourself "How can I bring more creativity to this challenge?”

Even creative people have one of “those days” where they just don’t feel creative. It's even tougher for someone working to re-tap into their creativity. The next time you need a boost to your creativity, try one of these tips. 

Learn Something - Constantly learning keeps you fresh, and inspires new creative thinking. Take a class, read a book, research a topic online, watch a webinar or YouTube video, whatever.  Learning something outside of your area is a great way to get the creativity flowing as well. 

Get Out - Leave the house, office, studio, or cubicle.  Get out of town, or even the country.  It doesn’t matter so much what you do or where you go, just the change of scenery helps get you out of your own head. With a fresh perspective or new point of view comes fresh ideas. Looking at new things can help you see old things in a new way.  It's great to make a habit of "getting out" of your routine at least once a day to keep the creative juices flowing.

Always carry a small notebook with you - Don't expect to remember all your great ideas. When you're struck by one, quickly write it down. If you don't, chances are you won't remember it later. They may not all be good, but they'll all help you in the end.

Read - As much as you can, about everything possible. Books exercise your brain, provide inspiration and fill you with information that allows you to make more creative connections.

Surround yourself with creative people - Interesting and creative people gravitate towards one another. Talking, and listening, to someone else is an excellent way to see a problem differently, re-think your ideas or find a new solution. Go to a presentation or lecture by someone you admire, or about a topic that seems interesting. Some of the freshest ideas are inspired by things that are entirely unrelated to the problem at hand.

Don’t be a workaholic – Take breaks. Your mind needs a chance to wind down so it doesn’t overheat and crash.

Spend time with children - Your own or someone else's. Tap back into childhood.

Get closer to nature – So many studies have shown how rejuvenating and inspiring nature is. Whether it's a weekend backpacking trip, a jog on the beach, or lunch in the park, it all helps.


And last but not least

Reward Your Curiosity - One common roadblock to developing creativity is the sense that curiosity is an indulgence. Rather than reprimanding yourself, reward yourself when you're curious about something. Give yourself the opportunity to explore new topics.

"The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself."   - Alan Alda

 

Creativity Can Keep the Spark Alive in Your Relationships

This might seem obvious, or perhaps you have never thought about creativity being a guiding force in happy, satisfying relationships. The truth is that people in relationships (especially long term ones) have a tendency to get into routines with one another. And, let’s be honest, relationships can become dull if the people involved don’t make that extra effort to enhance the time they spend together. Sure, we all become comfortable with our significant other, and comfort can be a good thing, but so can spontaneity, which springs from creativity.  

Can relationships be more than places to settle in for a life of predictability or a struggle for part of what you want?  The answer is "Yes!"  

 
Co-creativity  There's a new train of thought about co-creativity in relationships - one in which you both flow in combined creative ways that enhance the vitality of each.  In order to do this, there are attitudes to avoid or drop, and attitudes and practices to take up. Each time you come into a relationship interaction with openness and a willingness to grow, you pave the way for co-creating.  Make the conscious decision that you don't need to be right, and put your focus on generating love, joy and gratitude in all your relationships.

Play!  Play is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Playing together for the fun of it brings joy, vitality, and resilience. Play can also heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts. Through regular play, we learn to trust one another and feel safe. Trust enables us to work together, open ourselves to intimacy, and try new things. By making a conscious effort to incorporate more humor and play into your daily interactions, you can improve the quality of your love relationships, as well as your connections with coworkers, family members, and friends. Play teaches us how to cooperate with each other.  It's also simultaneously a source of relaxation and stimulation for the brain and body. When we play with other people, whether they’re friends or strangers, we're reminded that we're not alone in this world. We can connect to others in delightful and meaningful ways that banish loneliness.  (excerpted from HelpGuide.org)

Despite the power of play, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us stop playing. We exchange play for work and responsibilities. When we do have some leisure time, we're more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than to engage in creative, brain-stimulating play. By giving ourselves permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, we can continue to reap its benefits throughout life.

Keep the spark alive and learn how to play again!

"Playology is about waking up our senses, infusing our organs of seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, tasting - and the higher cognitive senses as well, with the spirit of play. Play ignites creativity and spontaneity. Playing together leads to trust and cooperation."  - Ellie Katz

How You Kill Your Creativity Every Day – and How to Stop It

Are you feeling "stuck" and uninspired?  Creativity is on the decline, and you're not the only one.  Two of the main reasons people allow this to happen is because they don't believe it's important, or because they're scared. But, no matter your age or what you do, it’s vital to have more creativity in your life.

There are many things we do daily, bad habits we've formed, that get us to this state.  The first step is acknowledging that there's a problem and then recognizing what we're doing wrong.  

30 things you probably do every day that kill your creativity

• Blindly follow your habits
• Don't trust your intuition
• Get distracted by your "clutter"
• Stop being curious
• Compare yourself 
• Skip physical exercise
• Get overwhelmed by information - "analysis paralysis"
• Don’t take action
• Follow trends
• Buy things pre-made and pre-packaged 
• Overly plan 
• Avoid time alone 
• Adhere to standards 
• Fear ambiguity
• Only take on creative projects that are hugely ambitious
• Don't question things
• Never try anything you haven't tried before
• Get discouraged by unsupportive comments from others
• Behave like a grown-up
• Spend too much time on your mobile device
• Watch too much TV
• Don't hand-write 
• Get trapped by false limits
• Stay tight in your comfort zone
• Be critical of yourself and others
• Avoid taking action
• Always think the way you've always thought
• Don't waste time recording ideas or making notes
• Avoid mistakes
• Don't embarrass yourself
  
  

One thing you should also recognize is that it really isn't your fault.  Our educational system and society in general are often not supportive of creativity, so it's no wonder that we do things - intentionally or not - to kill it.  So now that you know this, what can you do to stop?
  
Change your habits - Small changes in your habits really can make big changes in your creativity.  Every time you make yourself do something a little different than before, you're expanding your creativity. Think of the ways you kill your creativity most and start there.  Be conscious of your attitude. Over time, you'll find you develop a "how can I do this differently today?" way of thinking.

Spend 20-30 minutes each day on a creative exercise - Or 10 if it's all you can manage.  Look around you and pick something interesting, or not interesting at all.  Now, think of 10 ways that it can be improved upon.  Write it down.  The "thing" can be silly - a new name for the sandwich you're eating, the revised tag line on a billboard advertisement, whatever.  You could also spend the time drawing, or writing poetry, or playing an instrument.  Feel free to do something different every day, but do something.

Tapping back into your creativity takes practice.  But with some time, and diligence, you'll be amazed at how it comes back.

"Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted."  - George Kneller

Expand You Creativity at Work

Many people think creativity and business don’t go together. The thought is that business is a practical pursuit, while creativity is indulgent and prone to chaos, which is the antithesis of what we want our businesses to be. This is a matter of how creativity has been defined for us.

The first mistake people make is misunderstanding the creative process. We think of it as something that is haphazard. A creative person waits around for an inspiration to hit and can do nothing until that happens. Many artists are guilty of furthering this misconception because it makes their lives seem that much more romantic and dramatic. The truth is that the most creative artists are the ones who simply produce art, all the time, without waiting for the muse to whisper in their ear.

The second mistake is thinking that creativity is reserved for gifted people and not available to us run-of-the-mill human beings. The truth is that everyone is creative. If it seems otherwise, it's simply because someone, somewhere along the way, convinced us that we weren’t.  By believing in this un-truth, we limit our joy and become more close-minded.

Reawakening our creativity is fairly easy once we realize it isn’t dead, we've simply put it to sleep. By increasing our awareness - allowing our self to see when we've come up with a creative idea, or solved a problem creatively, or dealt with a troublesome individual in a creative way - we can reawaken our creativity and begin to grow.

So, what does this have to do with business? What is a business besides a mechanism to make money by solving a particular problem?  That's exactly it!  Expanding our creativity at work allows us to be better problem solvers.  Creativity is required to first see the problem that needs solving. Then, it's required to devise a solution.  Once you know you're creative, begin to waken it up, you will see that your business life will begin to explode in unexpected and wonderful ways.

Another problem with losing our creativity at work is that work it becomes dull, the daily grind, something we dread going to every day. So how can we get back to that excitement?  Here are a couple tips to get you started -

Daydream - It's here that our great ideas show up. As an exercise, for 1 week, set aside 5 minutes a day to just to sit back and daydream. After a week of this, you'll notice that you have more energy, your ideas are beginning to flow again and you may even find you have new, creative ways to solve the latest problems or issues you’re encountering. It isn’t magic, it’s just you allowing the communication to your subconscious mind to open back up again.

Matrix Brainstorming - This is a simple yet incredibly productive ways to generate new ideas.  Start off with a blank sheet of paper.  On the top of your page, write a question which is the concept you're wanting to generate ideas for. For example, a question like “How can I increase sales?”. Think about your question for a moment, then give yourself 10 minutes to come up with 20 answers to your question. You must come up with 20 answers no matter what. The first 7-10 answers will be extremely easy to come up with, but then naturally it will start to get more difficult. If you find your mind is completely blank, don’t stop. Stay patient and come up with everything and anything you can. Once you have your 20 ideas, its time to turn this into a matrix by adding a new layer of ideas. This means that for every answer you had to your question, you will find 5-7 specific and unique ways of achieving and implementing that answer. This may also require some serious thinking, but will be well worth it. Once you’ve completed the exercise, you will have over 100 ideas to your question. All done in the space of 30 minutes or less! Using this technique consistently will help you to generate lots of ideas extremely quickly, and naturally. You will find your mind is a lot sharper and your concentration, memory, and focus will be greatly improved. Try the exercise and see for yourself. 

"First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination." - Napoleon Hill

Tiny Ways to Be Creative Every Day

cre·a·tiv·i·ty  (noun)

1. the state or quality of being creative.
2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.
3. the process by which one utilizes creative ability:

Feeling uninspired, bored, depressed or just generally "stuck"? Maybe you need a creative boost get get you back on track.

Don't think you're creative? Take this fun creativity quiz and find out.

Start thinking about the what's, who's, when's, where's, why's and how's of creativity.

What's your goal?
Would you like to be more creative in solving problems at home, or in your work?   Do you want to pursue an artistic hobby?  Do you want to be a better storyteller at parties?  It could be all the above.  The best way to reach your goal is to define it.  It’s not enough to be creative, you have to be creative at something. Creativity is doing, rather than being. The doing comes from discovering goals, and achieving them. To discover what your goals are, you need to ask yourself questions.The questions you ask aren’t important. However, it is important that they be open-ended questions. That is, that they have more than one answer, and that they lead to other questions.  Asking yourself questions opens you to possibilities. Then, experiment with the answers you come up with. If you do this playfully, you'll not only  have fun, but you’ll improve your life in all kinds of ways.

Who inspires you? 
A family member, friend, mentor, boss, writer, artist, musician, etc.  Write down why each of them have inspired you, and what you've learned or what you are still learning or enjoying about them.

When + where can you designate time for creativity?
It can be morning, evening, on the bus, during your lunch hour, whenever.  It doesn't have to be long, but pick a time to explore your creativity every day and stick with it. 

Why is it important to access your creativity? 
Because the energy of creativity is fundamental to everything that we are. Creativity can manifest itself in so many ways - your work, your relationships, and most importantly in your own mind and spirit.  The great news is that the more you use it the more it will blossom.

But I still don't understand how to start!
Just find a way. Buy a small notebook and write anything you think of - a thought, a song lyric, a silly idea, whatever. Try cooking a new recipe. Write a haiku - they're super easy!  Make a crazy doodle of your pet or coworker.  Try something new.  Anything. 

Here are more great suggestions.

Have fun!

Special Delivery

I recently went to an art showing that blew my mind.  

Expansive.  With more than 80 local artists contributing in a space measuring 36,000 square feet.

Thought-provoking.  Social commentary ranging from religion, to politics, to the environment, to what we eat, to who we are.

And about to be destroyed.  September 30th was the last, and one of the very few days when this collection was viewable to the public.  The entire space has since been sandblasted.