Friday, April 4, 2008
Letting Go...
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. The past is closed and limited, the future is open and free.
Dr. Deepak Chopra
In practical terms surrender means letting go. Although you don't realize it, reality isn't a given. Each of us inhabits a separate reality. Your mind maintains your personal version of reality by buttressing it with beliefs, expectations, and interpretations. Your mind blocks the free flow of the life force by saying, "This is how things must and should be." Letting go releases you from the insistent grip, and when you let go, new forms of reality can enter.
You only have to take a ride on a roller coaster to see who gets more enjoyment out of the experience, those who clutch tight with white knuckles and clenched jaws or those who let go and allow themselves to be carried up and down without resistance.
Letting go is a process. You have to know when to apply it, what to let go of, and how to let go. Your mind is not going to show you any of these things; worst still, your ego is going to try to prevent you from making progress since it believes that you have to hold on in order to survive. Your only ally in letting go is spirit, which sees reality as a whole and therefore has no need to create partial realities based on limitation.
The whole path to love could be described as learning to let go, but letting go all at once isn't possible. This is a path of many small steps. At any given moment the steps are basically the same: awareness begins to substitute for reactions. A reaction is automatic; it draws upon fixed beliefs and expectations, images of past pain and pleasure residing in memory, waiting to guide you in future situations.
Overcoming any reaction requires an act of awareness. Awareness doesn't resist the imprint of memory. It goes into it and questions whether you need it now. In the face of a big dog, awareness tells you that you aren't a small child anymore and that not all big dogs bite. Being aware of this you can ask if you need to hold on to fear. Whether you wind up petting the dog, ignoring it, or withdrawing is now a matter of choice. Reactions result in a closed set of options: awareness results in an open set of options.
When to let go
The critical times to let go are when you feel the strongest urge not to. We all hold on tightest when our fear, anger, pride, and distrust take over. Yet these forces have no spiritual validity. At those moments when you are afraid, angry, stubborn, or mistrustful, you are in the grip of unreality. Your ego is forcing you to react from the past, blinding you to new possibilities here and now.
Spirit has a good outcome for any situation, if you can open yourself to it.
What to let go of...
If the right time to let go is when you don't want to, the thing to let go of is the thing you feel you must hold on to. Fear. Anger, stubbornness, and distrust portray themselves as your rescuers. Actually those energies only make you more closed off. For example, panicky people tend to act that way because it is familiar; the same is true for angry and stubborn people. It is helpful to challenge familiar reactions by stating that you no longer believe in them. Here are a few examples:
Instead of saying "I have to have my way," say to yourself, "I don't know everything. I can accept an outcome I can't see right now." Instead of saying "I'm incredibly afraid," say to yourself "fear isn't me Being more afraid doesn't make it any more real." (This technique is also applicable to feelings of overwhelming anger, distrust, rejection, anxiety, and so forth).
How to let go...
Since letting go is a deeply personal choice you are going to have to be your own teacher. The process takes place on every level—physical, mental, emotional—where energy can be stuck or held and no two people have exactly the same issues. You may feel comfortable with a lot more physical release than I do; I may feel comfortable with a lot more emotional release than you do. It is important to find the balance between physical, mental, and emotional release that works for you.
I also suggest that you embrace the following ideas as appropriate:
This is just an experience. I'm here on earth to have experiences. Nothing is wrong.
My higher Self knows what is going on. This situation is for my benefit, even if I can't see that now.
My fears may come true, but the outcome will not destroy me. It may even be good. I'll wait and see.
I'm having a strong reaction now, but it isn't the real me. It will pass.
Whatever I am afraid of losing is meant to go. I will be better off when new energies come in.
Whatever fear says, nothing can destroy me.
When people fall they don't break, they bounce.
Change is inevitable. Resisting change doesn't work.
There is something here for me, if I have the awareness to find it.
The things I fear the most have already happened. I don't want to hold on anymore. My purpose is to let go and welcome what is to come.
Life is on my side.
I am loved, therefore I am safe.
I encourage you to embrace the coming season with a sense of openness, vitality, and a renewed sense of pure potentiality.
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. The past is closed and limited, the future is open and free.
Dr. Deepak Chopra
In practical terms surrender means letting go. Although you don't realize it, reality isn't a given. Each of us inhabits a separate reality. Your mind maintains your personal version of reality by buttressing it with beliefs, expectations, and interpretations. Your mind blocks the free flow of the life force by saying, "This is how things must and should be." Letting go releases you from the insistent grip, and when you let go, new forms of reality can enter.
You only have to take a ride on a roller coaster to see who gets more enjoyment out of the experience, those who clutch tight with white knuckles and clenched jaws or those who let go and allow themselves to be carried up and down without resistance.
Letting go is a process. You have to know when to apply it, what to let go of, and how to let go. Your mind is not going to show you any of these things; worst still, your ego is going to try to prevent you from making progress since it believes that you have to hold on in order to survive. Your only ally in letting go is spirit, which sees reality as a whole and therefore has no need to create partial realities based on limitation.
The whole path to love could be described as learning to let go, but letting go all at once isn't possible. This is a path of many small steps. At any given moment the steps are basically the same: awareness begins to substitute for reactions. A reaction is automatic; it draws upon fixed beliefs and expectations, images of past pain and pleasure residing in memory, waiting to guide you in future situations.
Overcoming any reaction requires an act of awareness. Awareness doesn't resist the imprint of memory. It goes into it and questions whether you need it now. In the face of a big dog, awareness tells you that you aren't a small child anymore and that not all big dogs bite. Being aware of this you can ask if you need to hold on to fear. Whether you wind up petting the dog, ignoring it, or withdrawing is now a matter of choice. Reactions result in a closed set of options: awareness results in an open set of options.
When to let go
The critical times to let go are when you feel the strongest urge not to. We all hold on tightest when our fear, anger, pride, and distrust take over. Yet these forces have no spiritual validity. At those moments when you are afraid, angry, stubborn, or mistrustful, you are in the grip of unreality. Your ego is forcing you to react from the past, blinding you to new possibilities here and now.
Spirit has a good outcome for any situation, if you can open yourself to it.
What to let go of...
If the right time to let go is when you don't want to, the thing to let go of is the thing you feel you must hold on to. Fear. Anger, stubbornness, and distrust portray themselves as your rescuers. Actually those energies only make you more closed off. For example, panicky people tend to act that way because it is familiar; the same is true for angry and stubborn people. It is helpful to challenge familiar reactions by stating that you no longer believe in them. Here are a few examples:
Instead of saying "I have to have my way," say to yourself, "I don't know everything. I can accept an outcome I can't see right now." Instead of saying "I'm incredibly afraid," say to yourself "fear isn't me Being more afraid doesn't make it any more real." (This technique is also applicable to feelings of overwhelming anger, distrust, rejection, anxiety, and so forth).
How to let go...
Since letting go is a deeply personal choice you are going to have to be your own teacher. The process takes place on every level—physical, mental, emotional—where energy can be stuck or held and no two people have exactly the same issues. You may feel comfortable with a lot more physical release than I do; I may feel comfortable with a lot more emotional release than you do. It is important to find the balance between physical, mental, and emotional release that works for you.
I also suggest that you embrace the following ideas as appropriate:
This is just an experience. I'm here on earth to have experiences. Nothing is wrong.
My higher Self knows what is going on. This situation is for my benefit, even if I can't see that now.
My fears may come true, but the outcome will not destroy me. It may even be good. I'll wait and see.
I'm having a strong reaction now, but it isn't the real me. It will pass.
Whatever I am afraid of losing is meant to go. I will be better off when new energies come in.
Whatever fear says, nothing can destroy me.
When people fall they don't break, they bounce.
Change is inevitable. Resisting change doesn't work.
There is something here for me, if I have the awareness to find it.
The things I fear the most have already happened. I don't want to hold on anymore. My purpose is to let go and welcome what is to come.
Life is on my side.
I am loved, therefore I am safe.
I encourage you to embrace the coming season with a sense of openness, vitality, and a renewed sense of pure potentiality.
The Awakening
A time comes in your life when you finally get it — when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH!"
Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety, and security to come galloping over the next horizon.
You come to terms with the fact that you are neither Prince Charming nor Cinderella. And that, in the real world, there aren't always fairy-tale endings (or beginnings, for that matter). And that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you — and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.
And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself — and in the process, a sense of new-found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and that it's not always about you.
So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself — and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and overlook their shortcomings and human frailties — and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.
And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with — and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.
You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.
You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.
You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.
And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.
You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK, and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want — and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.
You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect — and you won't settle for less.
And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.
And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve — and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.
More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance.
You also learn that no one can do it all alone — and that it's OK to risk asking for help.
You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself.
You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.
You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve, and that bad things sometimes happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn to not personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening.
And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state — the ego.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.
Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design as best you can the life you want to live.
A time comes in your life when you finally get it — when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH!"
Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety, and security to come galloping over the next horizon.
You come to terms with the fact that you are neither Prince Charming nor Cinderella. And that, in the real world, there aren't always fairy-tale endings (or beginnings, for that matter). And that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you — and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.
And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself — and in the process, a sense of new-found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and that it's not always about you.
So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself — and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and overlook their shortcomings and human frailties — and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.
And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with — and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.
You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.
You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.
You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.
And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.
You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK, and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want — and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.
You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect — and you won't settle for less.
And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.
And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve — and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.
More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance.
You also learn that no one can do it all alone — and that it's OK to risk asking for help.
You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself.
You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.
You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve, and that bad things sometimes happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn to not personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening.
And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state — the ego.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.
Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design as best you can the life you want to live.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Promos, Floorplans, Lighting, Bed
So I'm just posting a little something since it is my night but I can't really think of anything super creative to post. I'm really liking the mailer Jack has been working on and came on tonight to contribute to the floor plan idea, but got a little confused as to what I was looking at there...so I think I'll stick to pen and paper, maybe some of us can get together tommorow and just start claiming space and sketching a little? I'm also curious about what people are thinking about lighting, because I know my stuff personally I'd like to have in the darkest area, but also need access to mucho outlets, I was thinking the far corner because I believe there are at least 8 around there. I would assume others don't want to have the flourescents on but then we need to consider lighting (where to hang, where to power) when we start working out the floorplan.
Alright gnite people
hill <33
Alright gnite people
hill <33
STOLEN PHOTOGRAPHY- 2008 Orphan Works Bill
I received this email a while ago. We should all be concerned!
--
The Orphan Works legislation says that if someone does due diligence but can't find the owner of a photograph, they can use it without paying for it. Click above and then write the Senator to say you are opposed!
LINKS
Ryan McGinley is showing at the Team Gallery down on Grand St. The opening is tomorrow. Go after class!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Floor Plan
So we have all received Brian's sketch of the floor plan. I'm sure everyone has some form of idea how they'd like to lay out their specific pieces, particular if they'd like somewhat of a closed off area or whatever.
So please add on to this post some info on how you'd like to
present. Sketches are more than welcome!!
Thanks!!
JACK
Postcard...Webpage?
Hello Everyone...
Here's a mini mock-up ( it's still in progress, I want to add two more squares to the whole thing,, fix names etc.) I designed for our show...
I like the idea of showing a little piece of what we have been working on...
For a webpage I was thinking it would be interesting if when the cursor went over our images it would switch to it's originals colors etc. What do you guys think? I was going with the idea of all of our images on display mainly because although many of our ideas for our pieces are linked...I can not think of one image that would represent our whole show. I was talking with Cecilia about how all of our ideas for the show are in someway slight shades of one theme and I am really excited about planning the set up of our work in relation to each other. I think our final pieces will reflect nicely together and work really well as a group show.
Postcard
So I tried the card with the 12 image style, and I thought it looked terrible. So to plan B, a classic, just one image. I just threw in one of my photos (i'll present this one on Thursday), which image we use is obviously up for debate. I also changed the back a little to allow space for a mailing address. I believe some additional information needs to be added in, but we can work that out this week.
(Oh yeah, sorry if I misspelt your name, I just typed it up really quick. Let me know if I did.)
<3 Jack
Monday, March 31, 2008
Press Release References
so maybe this is an appropriate topic since i'm on the p.r. research committee. i have emailed the founder of the art therapy organization i do work with to get info on how they write theirs and who they send it out to in the nyc area. i found this site which has a compiled list of press releases. also i will be posting a gallery list tomorrow of who we can mail our cards to. p.s. good job to everyone who presented today!
http://www.artnewschannel.net/current.html
http://www.artnewschannel.net/current.html
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Advertizing for Our Show
Behold my brainstorm:
Flyers on Internet:
MySpace.com (Bulletins, events, individual comment pages)
Facebook.com
Craigslist.com
Flyers in Real Life (legwork)
Restaurants - random - drop off flyers by host/entrance area
Galleries - Chelsea galleries have flyer tables
Art show openings - hand flyering
Art Stores - Most have flyer areas by entrances. Blick on Bond st, off Broadway, Utrecht on 23rd st bet. 7th and 8th ave, NY Central in LES, Utrecht 11th and 3rd (?), Pearl Paint on Canal, Pearl Paint by SVA
Universities: SVA, Parsons
Party venues: Syllivan Hall, Pyramid Club...more door to door legwork
For legwork we can assign streets, for example one person does 23rd-25th street, 7-11th avenue, another 25th-28th, 7-11th avenue
What is our flyer budget again? How many can we afford to print?
Flyers on Internet:
MySpace.com (Bulletins, events, individual comment pages)
Facebook.com
Craigslist.com
Flyers in Real Life (legwork)
Restaurants - random - drop off flyers by host/entrance area
Galleries - Chelsea galleries have flyer tables
Art show openings - hand flyering
Art Stores - Most have flyer areas by entrances. Blick on Bond st, off Broadway, Utrecht on 23rd st bet. 7th and 8th ave, NY Central in LES, Utrecht 11th and 3rd (?), Pearl Paint on Canal, Pearl Paint by SVA
Universities: SVA, Parsons
Party venues: Syllivan Hall, Pyramid Club...more door to door legwork
For legwork we can assign streets, for example one person does 23rd-25th street, 7-11th avenue, another 25th-28th, 7-11th avenue
What is our flyer budget again? How many can we afford to print?
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