Looking Upward and Outward

Sitting in a hotel atrium a few weeks ago, I naturally looked up... gaining a different perspective of my surroundings.  I say naturally because it came so easily.  I guess I look up a lot... at trees and clouds; at vaulted ceilings in cathedrals; and yes, at cobwebs hanging down from the beams in the family room!  

Maybe as a child we got used to looking up:  into the eyes of Loved Ones; for approval and recognition; and at our role models, idols, and heroes.

What inspires you to look up?
(Photo:  Embassy Suites BWI,
Larry Gardepie, 2022)

Weeks before and after this Atrium Awareness, I noticed that I was looking outward:  at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon; the magnificent rock formations in Bryce and Zion National Parks; and the expansiveness of the Columbia River Gorge.  So much natural beauty surrounding us... if we but take the time to notice, absorb, and be transformed!

What do you see when you look outward?
(Photo:  Columbia River Gorge,
Larry Gardepie, 2022)

Dialogue offers similar opportunities to look upward and outward, moments when we:

• See beyond the words and actions;
• Accept what is actually present; and
  
• Believe in the grand and magnificent miracle of relationships that expand our humble selves.
  

How can you change your perspective?
(Photo:  Sun illuminating Rossio Fountain, Lisbon,
Larry Gardepie, 2017)

Sometimes it is a matter of changing one's position or perspective to see the light shining through another person or having the courage to look into the sun to catch the rays that illuminate their words and actions.  Looking upward and outward can become natural to us if we are willing to share what we are thinking and feeling... followed by listening to the other person.  No action or response is necessary... except for the acceptance of a new perspective that is offered to us.

Sitting and looking up in an atrium or outward at natural beauty allows us time to consider that we may not have seen or experienced it all.  We are invited to see beyond what we knew before, and we can remove the cobwebs that distract us from seeing the Beauty Ever-Present.

May our eyes refocus our hearts upward and outward this week.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

Immersed in Beauty

I find myself continuing to process the "Beyond Van Gogh" exhibit mentioned in last week's blog.  Something happens to me when I become fully immersed in a play, movie, book, project, or discussion:  my whole being is challenged to understand the experience, and it takes awhile to release the experience.

Do you know what I mean?  That ability to transcend the physical or mental aspects of a situation and to Become One with what is happening: to cherish and Rest in Being; to release time and allow Presence to exist.

When do your thoughts and feelings linger?
(Photo:  Shadow reflected on Art,
Beyond Van Gogh, Larry Gardepie)

My memories and photos don't quite capture the inner Beauty Awakening when that moment lingers.  Eventually the distractions of life reclaim my attention and that brief boundless encounter fades.  But even as I return to normal, my heart continues its wondering:

• What caught my attention?
• How can I hold onto that Beauty?
• Is there a way to nurture the longing to understand... and to be understood?

How do you take in the beauty of our world?
(Photo:  Walking among Starry Night,
Beyond Van Gogh, Larry Gardepie)

Sometimes dialogue is a practice of letting go of... preconceived ideas... memories and past hurts... what is known or not known clearly.  It is a time of waiting and noticing what is Real Now... what is beautiful and revealing in this current moment.  It is sitting at the shore side, waiting expectantly to be illuminated by the reflected light that eventually reaches us:  Now I understand!  Now I see!

Are you willing to sit, notice, and wait?
(Photo:  Sitting along the Shore,
Beyond Van Gogh, Larry Gardepie)

The "Beyond Van Gogh" exhibit still resonates in my thoughts, I believe, because it invited me to be immersed in a beauty that I don't experience every day.  I was ready.  I wanted to see.  I was in a place where I could accept something different.

 

May we find ways to seek out the Beauty of Others, to wait expectantly, and to be ready to become immersed in illumination and understanding.
 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)

Beyond Invitation

You may have heard about, seen or attended a "Beyond" event.... "Beyond Monet" or "Beyond Van Gogh."  It's a wonderful way of introducing and immersing yourself into an artist's life story and artwork.  My brother alerted us to the "Beyond Van Gogh" exhibit in our city.

After going through the entrance, you walk down a series of corridors that briefly introduce you to the history and contribution of this individual.  Eventually, you enter a huge, empty warehouse-sized area... bare, with the exception of a few benches, floor-to-ceiling panels, and walls.  The artist's work is digitally displayed on the panels, walls, and floor, choreographed to music that sets the mood or art theme.

When do you take the time to sit and notice?
(Photo:  Beyond Van Gogh, entryway to exhibit,
Larry Gardepie)

 

Several thoughts came to mind as I sat on various benches or walked around the room:

• The invitation to sit and notice;
• The ability to bring artwork alive through motion and music; and,
• How much I don't know!

As the themes changed, the colors and textures of the walls and floor seemed to melt and transform:  from warm and cooling colors to vibrant splashes of life; from earthy country scenes to faces of farm workers; from city buildings to starry nights.  The Light of Life captured and reflected Van Gogh's interpretation of life, what he saw and experienced.

What do you know about a Loved One?
(Photo: Beyond Van Gogh, projected artwork,
Larry Gardepie)

Many galleries and museums gather and display artwork.  I've seldom wanted to stay and learn more at these galleries.  There was something different about this exhibit:  the ability to Go Beyond.  Though dying fairly unknown and poor, Van Gogh's contributions to art and his letters to his brother live on and are re-imagined... beyond the 37 years that he graced our world.

I wonder what captures our attention:

• Is it an invitation to sit and notice?
• Is it new ways of presenting information?
• Is it the humility to accept what we don't know?

Are you willing to sit and listen?
(Photo: Beyond Van Gogh, Immersed in His Artwork,
Larry Gardepie)

 

In a similar way, I wonder about our invitation to dialogue with each person we meet:  Do we take the time to notice, to sit, and to listen?  What information do we present and in what form do we offer the information?  Are we willing to accept that there are areas we haven't experienced or that we just don't know the answer?  Are we willing to stay and linger - to ask and to learn?

 

The invitation this week is to go beyond what we assume, what we think, and what we know or don't know.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)