PEAP Misnomers, moods and other misunderstandings

Hi PEAP Readers,

So we are about two months into The Positive Energy Art Project. It has been interesting and I am so grateful for the submissions and feedback that I've gotten. I've had so many interesting conversations with people who are following the blog as their participation, those that shared an effort with us all and then with some people who are, well, somewhere between the two. 


Several people shared their thoughts about submitting and the things that have gotten in the way. I've heard about feeling that one's effort is not "good enough" or "successful" in creating positive energy. I've heard about how difficult it is, that in the middle of a really challenging life, it is hard to step back and do something, anything. Then there is intimidation, and feeling not particularly positive or empowered to make any sort of difference. Then there is indecision. "Should I do this? What about this? Or that, or this..." And forgetfulness-- "I meant to, but forgot..." And of course comparisons, "That person is so positive, my effort isn't as interesting or profound."


All of these ways we stop ourselves from doing something to bring more goodness into the world. This really interests me.


Let me share that I started this project during a particularly difficult time, because it was so hard for me to engage positively with the world. I needed help. I was procrastinating with doing artwork after taking all this time to set up a studio in my little NYC apartment... it just sat there. I was intimidated, didn't feel like a good enough painter or wondered if anyone would be interested in anything I did. But beginning this project has transformed things as I let go of concerns of whether what I did was good or not, and just focused on being in the process of creating.


For whatever reason, whether we are neurobiologically wired to focus on threat for protection, or just are so lost in the stories in our head, stepping outside of the routine to generate some positive energy feels overwhelming sometimes. I really appreciated what was shared by the PEAP #7 submission, because it is true. It can be a struggle, and yet once we start, so much becomes possible.


Let me clarify something. There is no such thing as "failing" at this. We are all in our own exploration. What is positive energy in my life is different from yours and yours from mine and everyone else. It is a question.


So, no judgement. Share what you wish. Don't share what you don't wish. It doesn't have to be complex, or fundamentally transformative. You can write one word about the experience or a dissertation. What matters is in the doing not the outcome. 


Peace to you in 2012,
Jen


http://positiveenergyartproject.blogspot.com/2011/10/invitation-to-participate-in-positive.html

PEAP #8 in honor of anonymous, NY NY

Art in honor of Anonymous, NY NY, for exploring the  questions of how we live, whether it is consistent with what we value and what is right for us.

10 X 14 Watercolor on Paper

Below is what was shared about the experience of participating in PEAP.


11/23 i was generous with my time with someone who needed it. while this is something i think that is good to do and i might do anyhow, i purposefully spent more time and really showed up.

11/24 i searched to find a volunteer project to invite friends to. while this is something i mean to do, i often get caught up and don't plan well. was also kind of stuck in my own stuff and purposefully shifted to search for ways to notice others i may not face and invite others to participate.

11/25 dedicated my yoga practice to a "difficult" person and sat with that choice even when easier people showed up in my mind.

11/26 gave money to a homeless older woman sitting in the corner of port authority

11/27 volunteered to help prepare and serve dinner to battered women! highlight of the week! really enjoyed the other volunteers, the activity, and the participants!

11/28 bought someone who needed it a tea and a danish


11/29 invited someone stressed to do something fun next week.

observations: committing to this for a week seemed like a mindfulness  practice- all of these acts really matter to me and its surprising how time can just pass and the actions that matter may fall to the sidelines, as business dominates. it was helpful to slow down and check in, am i living according to my value of contributing positively?

i also questioned at times, is this positive or is this what is right? in other words, all of these acts feel right, like what i need to do, rather than acts of generosity. though they are both.

thank you!!

best wishes.

PEAP #7 in honor of Anonymous, NY

Art in honor of Anonymous, for reminding us that it isn't always easy to create positive energy, we don't always succeed, but there is value in the process and effort itself. 

10 X 14 Watercolor and cut black paper 

Below is what was shared about the experience of participating in the Positive Energy Art Project: 

Don’t lose sight of the moon while reaching for the stars.  

FORGIVENESS

Hi Jennifer,

Love the PEAP. 

In theory it sounded easy.  In practice, it has proven to be a big challenge. 

I bit off more than I could chew in my choice of positive energy.  I decided I would focus on forgiveness and the cultivation of attitudes that facilitate forgiveness. 

In just a few days where I consciously made room for forgiveness, I found just how hard this process is for me, and my project lasted only two days of conscious effort where I notated my work.  However, during the subsequent days, I did not lose sight of the goal, and am continually trying to keep forgiveness on the top of my to do list.

I am grateful for your decision to put this project into the universe so we may participate, learn and be challenged.

So here goes…  

This is what I came up with a few weeks ago when I attempted to make forgiveness a priority:

• Reviving important relationships and mustering compassion, looking for growth and healthy relationships.
• Willingly living alongside stubborn and unmovable people.  Acknowledging the stubborn nature of a situation, I can do what’s needed to keep my sanity and my health intact – and exhale. 
• Pushing through with kindness rather than exacerbating a situation by responding in kind with the same obtuseness. 
• Being Simple.  Includes living simply, thinking simply / clearly, acting simply.  Cleaning up the mental and physical clutter. 
• Appreciating the good, the bad and the ugly.  What isn’t always pretty is real.  Real counts for a lot.  Life is messy. 
• Accepting defeat.  Experiencing forgiveness as a slow process in some instances.  Forgiveness is often preceded by struggle.  Sometimes accepting that a battle is lost leaves space to value what remains.  The result can be a variation of forgiveness if not exactly forgiveness itself.  It takes time and perspective.  Ultimately, once forgiveness is reached, there is no more defeat – in the place of defeat is the accomplishment.  I guess this is referred to as “letting go.”

Smelling the roses, anonymously

November 9 – 16, 2011

New York City, NY

PEAP #6 In Honor of the Dalai Lama

No, The Dalai Lama didn't send me an email with his positive energy experience for a week, but my friend Nanette shared this quote from his Facebook page. I thought it beautifully expresses his lifetime of efforts to heal the world and more succinctly and eloquently captures what the Positive Energy Art Project is trying to do on a small level: 

"The basic foundation of humanity is compassion and love. This is why, if even a few individuals simply try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community." 

                                                     - Dalai Lama

Art for the Dalai Lama: 

11 X 15 Watercolor and Sumi Ink on Paper

PEAP #5 Gratitude and The Painting in My Head

Last week, I learned of a friend's unimaginable loss of someone close to him. We've all been there. Whether it is because of death or some other transition, loss can bring home all there is to be grateful for in our own lives. I had this on my mind a lot this Thanksgiving, and have been keeping a gratitude list in my mind over the past few weeks-- grateful for good friends, for the health of my family, for the warm sun, for good coffee, for a good night's sleep, for a genuine hug...

I've had this painting in my head for about a month, and haven't brought myself to do it. Finally this morning, I sat and painted, for my friend, and the one he lost. Peace to you.

12 X 16 Watercolor and Sumi Ink on Paper

How to participate in the Positive Energy Art Project

Hi Everyone!


Thanks to all who have already made submissions to PEAP and everyone following along and sending good wishes for the project. So grateful!


If you wish to participate in the project, you can do it a couple of ways--


1. You can "join the blog" and follow along, make comments, be a part of the community
2. You can choose to engage in your own acts of positive energy and share them with the project for posting and I will make art in your honor!


Please see the invitational post from 10-30-11 describing the project in full:
http://positiveenergyartproject.blogspot.com/2011/10/invitation-to-participate-in-positive.html


Enjoy the submissions and art from PEAP 1-4!


With love,
Jen

PEAP #4 in Honor of Ilysa in NJ

Art for Ilysa for being inspired to create and share the simple beauty of snow and community. 

Bronx birds dancing above

Playing with the building tops

Amidst train rumbles

5 X 7 Watercolor & Haiku 

What Ilysa shared about her experience with the Positive Energy Art Project

Jen,   A series of haikus I wrote, inspired by your positive energy project and my experience in the recent snowstorm:   Snow, the heavyweight of the weather champions, break, snap, saplings here.   On this little block families laugh, but cry for fire, light, warmth and milk - gone.   The babies escape. Neighborly love builds here, thaws with the mountains of snow.     - ilysa