View allAll Photos Tagged Lifeaffirming
Having to do my fatherly duties of dropping my daughter off to work early, I had the chance to do a slower drive to work the more scenic way, so I decided that the drive between Diseworth and Belton might be a good option if the dawn sky started to look interesting. As I was driving to one of my often used viewpoints the radio presenter for Smooth FM mentioned on air that if any of the listeners were up and about, they should open their curtains and take a look at the dawn sky, his words were something like "It could be one of those life-affirming sunrises"...well I couldn't have put it better myself, it was a sight to behold, amazing colours in 3/4's of the sky.
Standing under this tree, the blossoms buzzing with bees, was very life-affirming. Everyone should try it sometime.
Today begins a new chapter in my life. In addition to starting an art business this year, I am making some personal changes that are very big. These are not resolutions, but life changes that may just be life saving. I began my day writing in my journal as usual, and felt a bit scared and even depressed. Funny how resistant we can be to what is best. I next went to my studio to have coffee, check email and get my day started for real. I subscribe to Anu Garg's word a day which entertains my love of words. If I think I know the word I sometimes delete without reading. Today I almost did that, and was so glad I did not. Today's word is pneuma.
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-muh, NYOO-)
MEANING:
noun: Spirit, soul.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek pneuma (breath, wind, spirit). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pneu- (to breathe) that is also the source of pneumatic, pneumonia, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, apnea, sneer, sneeze, snort, and snore.
I assumed the breath part, but soul? In my somewhat fragile state I found that perfect. As perfect as the birds on the feeder just a few feet away from where I type. If any one creature on this earth could represent my soul it would be a bird. I knew right away what today's project would be.
I board upon a mothership
And sail away into my heart
Upon my ground
Amongst the stars
I rise and rise
Through space and time
In darkest hours
It’s clear and sound
My earth revolves
Around the sun
For the life I am
For all that’s kind
Always with me
And by my side
On highest waves
Between the clouds
I rise and rise
Through space and time
In darkest hours
It’s clear and sound
My earth revolves
Around the sun
I lay my foot on the mother path
I rise and rise and rise
My aches and pain are nourishment to me
Rise Goddess Rise oh rise
My healing is accelerated
I rise and rise and rise
My blessings are growing multiply
Rise Goddess Rise oh rise
When my heart is missing homeland
I rise and rise and rise
From a false plain
I return home to me,
to I and I
From a false plain
I return home to me,
to I and I
In darkest hours
It’s clear and sound
My earth revolves
Around the sun
Mothership (Sefinat Em)
Written By Yael Deckelbaum
“I am writing these words, with sirens of war in my ears and bombs staggering my home. My heart is pounding, and I am afraid, so I open an Etty Hilesum card Here is what it says: “We have so much work to do on ourselves that we shouldn’t even be thinking of hating our so-called enemies. We are hurtful enough to one another as it is….Ultimately we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world. Here is a song from a women choir project, for inner peace, I have been secretly working on during the times of solitude. During the age of Corona I have been meeting with women from two communities of Klil and Beit Keshet in the north of israel. It is my dream that this circle will grow and join thousands of women to sing together for healing and peace. Together we will create the frequency that will carry us and our loved ones higher and higher, on the mothership, to these inner lands of peace that exist within our hearts.”
- Yael
Still away on my SongQuest but had to stop and share this subllme song by a radiant and wise Israeli songwriter and composer, activist and peacemaker. I feel such a wave, a call that so many women are feeling, to go deeper, let go and honor what is coming through. It is a great invitation to seek out our gifts and offer them forth. I painted this image a few weeks ago: Universal Mother holding the healing ointment.
Peace and love to all of you. Keep cherishing your dreams. 'Till soon.
Here is the link to hear the women's choir.
Let the universal harmonies reach into your Being:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1y4XMifkE
Also she has written the beautiful song "Prayer of the Mothers" which was featured in the video about the great "Women Wage Peace" movement joining thousands of Palestinian and Israeli women back in 2015. I cry every time I see it:
I think a dystopian answer is the insight that Native American artist Fritz Sholder provides. If he is saying that we are destined to be angels, well, this is a creepy kind of angel. It’s not exactly a man either. I don't think the artist has much faith that we will hug close to our humanity.
That globe also looks a little trashed.
For those who lose their path now in their passion to conquer the outward bounds, this metaphoric image may not be so far off for them.
Hey, we may lose our humanity in our push to be victorious but look how much we gain.
Title: Future Clone, 1999
Artist: Fritz Scholder (American, 1937-2005)
Venue: National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
Rotarians and partners Carol Fellows and Tim Bewley from Oregon have brought the first LN-4 prosthetic hand to Rwanda. It was my good friend Nitin Dabolkhar, a Rotarian from Mombasa, whose friend Sabiti Niyoyita (the first LN-4 recipient in Rwanda) inspired the Americans to bring the LN-4 projct to Rwanda.
Sabiti is one of Nitin's clients here in Kigali, and when Nitin this past May met Carol and Tim at a Rotary meeting and learned of their project, he knew he had to help Sabiti. Four months later, land mine survivor, steel plant owner, and father of six receives his prosthetic hand.
Here you see Martin, a local Rotarian, examining the LN-4 hand that has already transformed Sabiti's life. He can now do his own accounting at work. He can now sign his own checks. And he can now, for the first time since his landmine accident in 1992, lift a mug to his lips.
"2,000 people are involved in land mine accidents every month--one person every 26 minutes. 95% are civilians."
Kigali, Rwanda. Afrika.
August 26, 2006
The LN-4 Prosthetic Hand Transforms Lives: A Cooperative Project of Rotary Districts 5110 and 5160
To learn more about this life-affirming project visit:
The project's background excerpted from project's pamphlet:
"After industrial designer Ernie Meadows and his wife Marj lost their 18 year old daughter Ellen to an automobile accident, they set out to create a legacy in her memory...a self-less, no-money-to-gain act to benefit [individuals] around the world.
When Ernie learned of thousands of people who had lost hands and limbs due to land mines, he knew he had found his project.
In 2005 Ernie gave permission for the hand to become a Rotary project, with the provision that no one would profit from its production or distribution, and no recipient would ever be charged for its use. It costs just $50 to produce."
"The LN-4 is the only functional below elbow prosthetic hand in the world to be given to those in need in developing nations at no charge."
Note: The shibboleth "Give Hope. Give A Hand." is not my own idea. I think the Rotarians came up with that one.
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
'Mad' Mike on the left had been to this rally ten times. Dave, in the middle has been nearly half of that. This was my first time at the Dragon Rally.
Thought I'd start uploading some oldies. This was taken in 2005 on a dodgy old compact. Still one of the most amazing places I've ever been – I'd just come down from it and my knees were still wibbling.
Dunure is a small fishing harbour located about 5 miles south of Ayr, on the West Coast of Scotland.
It has a ruin of an old castle sitting above a cliff just above the village.
It enjoys spectacular sunsets due to its location.
This was taken in 2014, when it was pretty cloudy, but the skies had a show to put on, and as the clouds moved away, what a show.
My first time at the infamous Dragon Rally in North Wales. This is the longest running winter rally in the UK and this was their 60th year. As predicted the weather was filthy. Driving wind and rain made for a very chilly slopfest. It took me many hours to warm up on my return home.
There was no such thing as a premium spot when it came to pitching up. Everywhere was water logged, we managed to find a spot that didn't get as battered by the wind but there was no escaping the rain. It was relentless. Still, now that it's over and the suffering is fading, would I do it again? You betcha!
There is a tremendous sense of achievement at stepping away from the comfort zone and undertaking such an arduous task. I got a badge too!
The world premiere of life-affirming new drama, The Positivity Experiment, opens at the Whitefield Garrick Theatre as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe for a limited run between Thursday 24th July and Saturday 26th July 2025.
The play follows two strangers who meet on a bridge on New Year’s Eve. After suffering a breakdown, Jas is ready to jump. Cue Vee, a witty, chaotic mystery, who offers an intriguing proposition: give them a year to prove just how incredible, amazing and completely, undeniably beautiful life can be. A gentle, uplifting glimpse into healing, packed full of music, laughter... and rival gnomes.
Please note: contains discussions of mental health, grief and attempted suicide. Suggested suitability age is 16+.
Written by Catherine Cropper, directed by Andrew Cropper, and starring Rachel Slater and Mordecai Hudson as Jas and Vee, the play features themes of mental health, non-binary identity, prejudice, friendship and acceptance.
There will be three evening performances (7:30pm on 24th, 25th and 26th July) and one matinee (2:30pm on 26th July).
Photography by Craige Barker: craigebarker.com
Tickets
greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/the-positivity-exper...
The world premiere of life-affirming new drama, The Positivity Experiment, opens at the Whitefield Garrick Theatre as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe for a limited run between Thursday 24th July and Saturday 26th July 2025.
The play follows two strangers who meet on a bridge on New Year’s Eve. After suffering a breakdown, Jas is ready to jump. Cue Vee, a witty, chaotic mystery, who offers an intriguing proposition: give them a year to prove just how incredible, amazing and completely, undeniably beautiful life can be. A gentle, uplifting glimpse into healing, packed full of music, laughter... and rival gnomes.
Please note: contains discussions of mental health, grief and attempted suicide. Suggested suitability age is 16+.
Written by Catherine Cropper, directed by Andrew Cropper, and starring Rachel Slater and Mordecai Hudson as Jas and Vee, the play features themes of mental health, non-binary identity, prejudice, friendship and acceptance.
There will be three evening performances (7:30pm on 24th, 25th and 26th July) and one matinee (2:30pm on 26th July).
Tickets
greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/the-positivity-exper...
The world premiere of life-affirming new drama, The Positivity Experiment, opens at the Whitefield Garrick Theatre as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe for a limited run between Thursday 24th July and Saturday 26th July 2025.
The play follows two strangers who meet on a bridge on New Year’s Eve. After suffering a breakdown, Jas is ready to jump. Cue Vee, a witty, chaotic mystery, who offers an intriguing proposition: give them a year to prove just how incredible, amazing and completely, undeniably beautiful life can be. A gentle, uplifting glimpse into healing, packed full of music, laughter... and rival gnomes.
Please note: contains discussions of mental health, grief and attempted suicide. Suggested suitability age is 16+.
Written by Catherine Cropper, directed by Andrew Cropper, and starring Rachel Slater and Mordecai Hudson as Jas and Vee, the play features themes of mental health, non-binary identity, prejudice, friendship and acceptance.
There will be three evening performances (7:30pm on 24th, 25th and 26th July) and one matinee (2:30pm on 26th July).
Tickets
greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/the-positivity-exper...
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Paul Oberman
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Lisa Timmermann
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Brianna Neibling
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Lisa Timmermann
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Sue Taylor
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Sue Taylor
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
DoP Nigel Bluck
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Sue Taylor
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic
© 2010 Taylor Media, Les Films Du Poisson, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, ARTE
Photograph by Baruch Rafic