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

PEAP #3 in honor of Tom in Virginia

Art in Honor of Tom for Reminding us of the Role of Spiritual Practice in Creating Positive Energy.

Enhanced Photo of a detail of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NY, NY

Below is what Tom wrote about his experience with the Positive Energy Art Project: 


Trying to apply positive energy did have a discernable effect on my spirituality and well being.  To summarize:

A - I was reminded that my spirituality and well being are not always congruent with the day to day life I lead.

B - Faith is essential for growth so some level of ambiguity and uncertainty is OK

C - Once I learn to stay out of my own way I realize that what I consider to be myself is really the Ineffable living through me until the day comes when I am ready to became a self-eixstent being and can say, as did my Lord Jesus, "He who has seen me has seen the Father"

D - Be patient and stay positive and it will happen.  As John the Revelator said - "Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not been revealed until now what we are going to be, but we know that when he has been revealed, we shall be in his likeness, and we shall see him just as what he is."

E - The positive energy that surrounds will give us enough life to see that day. As Paul said, "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

Thanks for getting me in on this - much love to you and yours!

Tom

PEAP #2 in honor of Anonymous, 41, NY, NY

Art for a friend for teaching us to live acts of positive energy in every moment... to savor life and love generously.

12 X 4.5 inches, collage with watercolor and oil pastels on black paper (aka 'craypas') 

Words shared with the Positive Energy Art Project about the weeklong experience: 

POSITIVE ENERGY ART PROJECT LOG

Sunday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 5

Prayed for the success of my friend in her new artistic endeavor...gave thanks for my family...carved happy faces into pumpkins...tickled my younger son and enjoyed his laughter...played with my family in the park...admired a tree...cooked dinner with love...snuggled with my husband...encouraged my older son as he talked to me about sensing different parts of the body (do you feel your ears?  do you feel your bellybutton?  do you feel your hair?) ...celebrated Halloween in full force...savored the feeling of the warm sun on my cheeks and the cold chill in the air...admired a bird eating a berry...wished my sons would grow up to be best friends...sent and received love texts with my husband...hugged my boys...caressed my baby boy's forehead as he fell asleep...made my sons laugh belly-aching giggles as I sang, mimicking different music styles...admired the blue of the sky with my older son...admired the moon and said "good night" to it with my sons...exchanged smiles with a stranger...helped a lost tourist find her way...meditated and drank the sun...prayed for an acquaintance who was suffering...consoled a friend who was sad...encouraged a friend who was facing a challenge.

Anonymous

41 years old

New York, NY

PEAP #1 in honor of Alison, Philadelphia, PA

Art in Alison's honor, for teaching us something about how to be kinder to ourselves, Let go of judgment and be in the process of learning...

watercolor on paper 6.75 x 12 inches 

Below is what Alison Traweek wrote about her approach to the Positive Energy Art Project (edited down just a bit)


"...I'm at the beginning of my career in the Academy, and currently working on two articles that will, ideally, become my first publications. I am a strong writer, I even rather like writing, and my papers are both on topics that are interesting and important to me. Sounds great, right?

Yeah, I totally wasn't working on either of them. I'd gotten them off the ground, and then just stalled. If I had to explain the freeze, I'd say it probably has to do with fear of finishing!... Every outcome is scary, so I dug in my heels to prevent any of them. As anyone with tendencies to avoidance knows, however, avoiding doesn't actually help; you just become anxious and down on yourself, and the work still doesn't get done. 

So when it came time to think about where to focus my positive energy this week, I thought of Jen's observation that we often care for ourselves last of all. I decided to reframe my approach to my scholarship: I would no longer think of it as a process inevitably leading to negative and scary judgements in the long run, but rather concentrate on the way that deep involvement in and engagement with my work makes me feel better immediately, both because I legitimately enjoy my work and because I no longer beat myself up about avoiding it. Sitting down to work thus became a conscious double kindness to myself. I felt good about myself for working at all, and stimulated by wrestling with the intellectual problems my arguments presented to me. 

I can't claim that it was perfect - However, a week ago this article was just vague ideas and a pile of unread scholarship. Now it is a solid grasp of the bibliography, 4000 words laying out a pretty coherent argument, and a very nice feeling of confidence and accomplishment. Not bad for a week's work. And I have my work cut out for me this week: to get up the courage to actually follow through on the submission!

Optimistically yours,

Alison"

Guerrilla Positive Energy

Looking out the window of the gym this morning, as i was cursing the elliptical machine for its terrorizing tactics, this is what I saw:

And I got to thinking. How great would it be if all the trucks and busses in NY had loving messages written on top. So much of our life in the city is above ground. I'd like to see "I LUV U..." more often when I look down!

I wondered how could I do that, guerrilla style, and plaster the truck roofs with positive messages all over the city without getting arrested? Feel free to share ideas...

Enjoy the day!

check out the previous post for how to participate in the positive energy art project : http://positiveenergyartproject.blogspot.com/2011/10/invitation-to-participate-in-positive.html

An Invitation to Participate in the Positive Energy Art Project

THE POSITIVE ENERGY ART PROJECT

WHY?

I don’t know about you, but to me things seem pretty crazy in the world these days. So much violence, so much suffering. Earlier this year, beginning with the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan followed by the explosion of violence in the Middle East, disturbing political decisions being made in this country… It all really got to me and helplessness for being able to do anything about it weighed heavily.

Art has always been a vehicle for healing for me. So during this time, I found myself writing and painting more and when I shared this work with others, it seemed to give something positive to them. It also really helped me. After not doing much artwork for a long time, sharing helped inspire me to do more work and share even more. I got to thinking about how I might use art to help in the face of the intense challenges and suffering we face as human beings in the world right now… even if it was just a small way to diffuse the negativity. Every bit counts, right?

So this is the idea. I want to use my artwork to get people thinking about and consciously doing something to create positive energy in the world. What is an “Act of Positive Energy?” Good question. It will be different for each of us. You will have to define that for yourself. It might be doing a kindness for someone, or withholding an automatic judgment or a harsh word, or by creating something beautiful, or by meditating, or having compassion for yourself (often the last person we care for), or something totally different. You know it when you do it.

My starting this project is an act of positive energy—and yes, I will also participate and have been doing so for a while. So think about it. It doesn’t have to be big, although it certainly could be. Sometimes the most powerful acts of positivity are small things, shifts in relating, change in the words we use, opening ourselves up… I guess as the project develops we will all see how we define this collectively.

How the Project Works

YOUR part:

Make the decision to do 1 Act of Positive Energy a day for a week—so 7 acts over the week (of course you are welcome to do lots more if you like).

At the end of your week, write something about the experience. It can be a description of what you did, an impression or something you learned or felt, it could be a word... whatever you wish to share. Then, send it to me in an email: positiveenergyartproject@gmail.com (or let me know if you’d rather send a postcard or letter).


The effort and experience is key here. There is no such thing as a perfect effort or doing this "right." If it is hard, if you forget, but you make the effort, than that is your experience!

MY part:

Using inspiration from what you share about your week-long Positive Energy Act experience, I will create a piece of art. It could be a painting, drawing, photograph or a poem or maybe something constructed, perhaps even a dish of food, or a dance. We shall see! I will then post what you shared about your experience along with the art piece made in your honor on the Positive Energy Art Project Blog for you and all others to enjoy. (http://positiveenergyartproject.blogspot.com/)

Whether you decide to do the week-long positive energy act experience or not, I invite you to follow the blog. You can “join” on the website and share in the project as an observer.

When you send your experience to me please let me know…

1)    How you would like to be identified along with your impressions on the blog (e.g., anonymously, first name only, first and last name, pseudonym, even the letter ‘X’ or ‘Z’—your call).

2)    It would be great if you also shared your age and where you live so we can see who this is reaching and who is part of the community we are creating.

Artist’s Disclaimer:

I can’t promise that you will like the piece made in your honor, or even that it will be good. What I can promise is that it will be made with great respect and love for the effort you made to contribute more positive energy to this world. You will be a part of a community making these collective efforts and perhaps we may even heal the world (or a small corner of it).

This project is an experiment. I have no idea where it will go, how many will participate, and neither do you! I am thinking of a 6-month run at the moment but may shorten or extend it as things go along. My plan is to create art in honor of everyone who takes on the challenge and shares it with me. If it grows to the point where I can’t keep up (this should be the BIGGEST problem, right?) I may hold off on taking new submissions, or have to change things a bit to catch up.

The other thing, is that perhaps, one day, if I am really, really lucky, this project will become an exhibit, or a book, or something that can reach even more people and maybe even help me to do more art and other exciting things. For that reason, I will hold onto the original pieces and share images of them on the blog. This also means that when you send me your impressions of the experience, you are giving it to me to use as I see fit as the project finds its natural course. And for this, I am grateful and promise to use your words with respect. I will always credit your words in the way you ask me to (e.g., anonymously, first name only, first and last… etc.) and quote verbatim.

May we all inspire more positive energy in the world. 

"Quotable" Magnets

You know those square magnets with quotes on them that you see in most bookstores or gift-shops? Well, I am a fan of those. I have a bunch actually. And as the preparation to begin this project gets underway, a few of them are screaming at me. So, it seems appropriate to share them here with you for inspiration-- and for myself for that matter:


"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." 
               -Goethe


"Doubt everything. Find your own light."
               -Buddha


"Leap and the net will appear."
               -Zen Saying


"Be the change you wish to see in the world..."
               -Gandhi


"Do one thing every day that scares you."
               -Eleanor Roosevelt


"What are you waiting for?"
               -Lope De Vega

The PEAP Studio

Welcome to the Positive Energy Art Project