What will it take for us to let go of our endless debates and finger-pointings over global warming or global climate change? When will we begin to truly recognize that the heart of our human existence and survival is the planet Earth and all it holds? As E. B. White noted decades ago, everything we do or hope to achieve is intimately reliant on … [Read more...]
Words: “After Us, There Will Be Others…”
You know you are hanging out with the right kind of friends, when, on a day you most need it, you are gifted with a beautiful starfish and the words "You make a difference every day!" The original Starfish Story was part of a 16-page essay called "The Star Thrower" written by Loren Eiseley (1907–1977) and was published in 1969 in The … [Read more...]
Walking In Nature — A Basic Tool For Creative Multitasking
Author Julia Cameron points out that one of the most valuable tools for creativity is one of the simplest — walking. When she wrote THE ARTIST’S WAY she didn’t address exercise until week 12 in the program. In IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN AGAIN: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond, which was written twenty-five years after … [Read more...]
Words: “The Field Of All Possibilities…”
When all the stars align in our favor, we tend to feel a sense of self-satisfaction that the universe has fallen into place for us. But instead, maybe we should feel a sense of humbling recognition that among the field of all possibilities, we have fallen into place within the universe. After all ... "... the field of all possibilities is … [Read more...]
Words To Live By: “Nature Brings Solace In All Troubles”
Within her diary, first published as THE SECRET ANNEX and later published as THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, Anne Frank expresses her belief in the healing power of nature -- "amidst the simple beauty of nature...will always be comfort for every sorrow... nature brings solace in all troubles": “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or … [Read more...]
Words: “Where Human Beings Grow Human Souls …”
Where do we find our courage, our strength, our resiliency, our compassion... Ursula K. Le Guin explained in her Mills College Commencement address, 1983 (excerpt): "Because you are human beings you are going to meet failure. You are going to meet disappointment, injustice, betrayal, and irreparable loss. You will find you’re weak where you … [Read more...]
Words: “The Bastard Muses … Propaganda, Sentimentality, and Pornography”
In the age of social media when we are overwhelmed by too much information and too many ultra compelling stories from questionable sources with untold or dubious purposes, it's helpful to remember Cleanth Brooks' warning about the "Bastard Muses " and be wary of "Propaganda, Sentimentality, and Pornography." Excerpt from Literature in the Age of … [Read more...]
Reclaiming Creativity
Creativity is how we reframe and redefine our world. It is how we express our joys, fears, interests, hates, passions, frustrations… It is how we feed our curiosity, learning, understanding, artistry, craftsmanship, resiliency, social connections… It is a profound part of our conscious and unconscious being. It is an everyday part of our … [Read more...]
Words: T.S. Elliot “…When We Do Not Know Enough…”
We can never know everything. But, when we do not know ...when we have moments of doubt or confusion ...or when we simply do not know enough -- Do we ignore the unknown? Or, do we pause to wonder? Do we assume we know? Or, do we take a moment to question? Do we guess the answers? Or, do we stop to ask? And do we recognize -- in that moment … [Read more...]
Words: “I Am Not Simply A Story-teller …”
One of my goals in starting BELOW THE SALT NEWS was to explore the power and possibilities of stories and storytellers to create change. Whether the story is based in fact or fantasy; whether it is told through art, invention, music, or words; whether it is couched in persuasion, humor, aggression or demand -- every story is an invitation to … [Read more...]
Words: “Ingredients For Your Cognitive Salad”
Some Jason Silva inspiration for your day. When asked "Can we harness the secrets of 'Getting In The Zone?' Can we 'Hack Our Flow State?'", Jason Silva says -- Yes! "I have found that the best way is to take yourself out of context... so rest, relaxation, novel spaces, novel environments, disconnection... just a daydream space, a space to … [Read more...]
Words To Live By: “It’s A Beautiful Glass”
Wanting to understand "What is it that makes us human?" filmmaker and artist Yann Arthus-Bertrand collected images and stories from 2,000 women and men in 60 countries about love, work, poverty, death, war... for his film HUMAN. In this excerpt, John Halcyon Styn shares an inspirational story about his grandfather, Rev. Caleb Shikles. Who reminds … [Read more...]
Words: “I design, therefore I become.”
Jason Silva's DO WE HAVE FREE WILL video (below), part of his SHOTS OF AWE web series, is an excellent reminder of how everything and everyone around us forms our consciousness. Love it! "Consciousness is a co-production, Consciousness is a collaboration... Consciousness is mediated by the spaces that we dwell... Our creative and linguistic … [Read more...]
Words: “Do Worthwhile Work”
We all want 'what we do' to be valued. And we want to be valued for what we do ... Since what we do actually builds platforms for future actions by ourselves and others... Wouldn't it make sense that the choices we make every day over what we do and how we do it will have greater impact on our future actions than anyones encouraging or … [Read more...]
Words: “Forgiveness Is An Act Of Creation…”
“Forgiveness is an act of creation. You can choose from many ways to do it. You can forgive for now, forgive till then, forgive till the next time, forgive but give no more chances it’s a whole new game if there is another incident. You can give one more chance, give several more chances, give many chances, give chances only if. You can … [Read more...]