unrecognizable black man training in park

Late Bloomers: Instructions For Use

After Todd’s post last Friday, which also mentions a previous post by Troy, I re-post here an article about getting old. So, here you find some instructions for living your third youth with no worries. There is a direct relationship between aging and physical, and mental activity. People who adopt a sedentary and passive lifestyle after retirement accelerate their aging process. Lack of movement diminishes … Continue reading Late Bloomers: Instructions For Use

closeup photo of primate

Mastering the Art of Attention in a World of Distractions

Constantly running from task to task takes away our attention. We make to-do lists in the shower, look at our phone regularly if not all the time, and post photos of our dishes while we have dinner. Learning to take control of your attention through simple daily practical exercises by involving all your senses will help you increase your happiness and well-being.  Our experiences are … Continue reading Mastering the Art of Attention in a World of Distractions

man in blue and brown plaid dress shirt touching his hair

Art: It’s Just Not That Into Me (Or Most of Us)

Art doesn’t owe me (or anyone) any favors. It didn’t sell on becoming an artist like it was talking you into a time share. Art says, “You want to be an artist? Great. Best of luck,” and then it walks away, probably on its way to a gallery opening in the West Village, and leaves you to do the rest. Continue reading Art: It’s Just Not That Into Me (Or Most of Us)

person painting

The Artist

I believe that we all yearn to create. To nourish our unique gifts and bring something new and authentic into the world. This is how we affirm our identity and find meaning in the world. The role of the artist is to show us the way, and point towards the vast possibilities that are available to us. Great art can reignite our imaginations and awaken … Continue reading The Artist

atomium brussels

Art with a View

Last Saturday I went to visit the private art collection of Proximus, a Belgian digital service provider. In 25 years the company has collected about 600 artworks and last December they opened the doors to visitors. For the moment, only 200 paintings and photos are displayed. The exhibition is called Art with a View, because you can admire the artworks not only on the ground … Continue reading Art with a View

The Nothingness of Writing

Billy Osogo Writing is a beautiful and intriguing undertaking. Like most things in life, it makes certain demands of its practitioners. These include monk-like dedication, soldier-like loyalty and child-like curiosity. Ideas are the fuel on which this art runs on. They are as diverse as the billions of writers on this planet. In my experience, ideas come in waves. Most times, the tide is high. … Continue reading The Nothingness of Writing

ON LIVING AS A CREATIVE

Billy Osogo I love creating art as much I love consuming it. There’s something surreal about participating in the process of creation. To see the end product come from almost nothing. A blank page. A blank canvass. Plain clay. A blank sheet of music. Tabula rasa. Here are a few good words to help in your creative journey.  Courage “I believe this is the central … Continue reading ON LIVING AS A CREATIVE

WHAT’S ART GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Billy Osogo : Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles delivered one of the most beautiful pieces of art when they wrote Ikigai. Ikigai is a Japanese word that put simply translates to: “The happiness of always being busy.” The authors write on a broad spectrum of Japanese life. One of the things that’s stuck with me is what they wrote regarding art: “Art, in all its … Continue reading WHAT’S ART GOT TO DO WITH IT?

SnapDragon Speaks: On Thought-Jelly.

Hi. SnapDragon here. It’s been awhile. And who knows why, really. I mean, I do have a toddler. I tend to the house and home. I technically work full-time, although it’s more like a part-time, online gig at the moment. (No complaints. But it still takes up minutes of my day.) And by the time I have an hour to myself–with a cat or two … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Thought-Jelly.

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Apology.

I’m sorry, yo. For a lot of little and not-so-little things. . . . I’m sorry for all the times I thought I knew better; I’m sorry for not realizing the limitations of my own world view. I’m sorry for making To-Do Lists while you gave instructions I later needed. I’m sorry for snapping when you asked a question I already answered. I’m sorry for … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Apology.

The Respites Against, And Advantages Of, Sadness

By Jack Canfora As I awoke this morning from uneasy dreams I found myself transformed in my bed into a gigantic insect. No. Nope. Wait. Sorry, that wasn’t me. It was Gregor Samsa. Not me. I’m constantly getting the two of us confused. It’s led to some pretty wacky situations, as you can well imagine. But more on that another time. No, I awoke this … Continue reading The Respites Against, And Advantages Of, Sadness

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Space Between.

I think there is great beauty in the space between: The space between sleep. The space between our brown-bagged lunches. The space between radio commercials. Life. It clicks by: In the flashes of headlights. The clanking of spoons. The aching of hands and feet. And no matter how hard we try, there is never enough time. If only we had a chunk of guaranteed solitude/money/focus/energy/inspiration … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Space Between.

SnapDragon Speaks: On Being Vulnerable.

(sighs) Life. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. But there is beauty in the struggle, my friend. My greatest fear in life is to be misunderstood. I know, I know. Kiiind of wishful thinking on my part. Because really: who hasn’t been misunderstood at least once in her life? In fact, who hasn’t experienced this on a relatively frequent basis? I know I have. … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On Being Vulnerable.