“Once you see it, you can’t unsee it”

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Director of Blackfish

It has been just over a year since the documentary Blackfish was released.  A film made by a mother who was curious about why a captive killer whale would turn on a trainer he knew for years.  The film has gone viral globally.  Cowperthwaite took the unique point of view by telling the story from what the captive killer whale might be experiencing.  It hit home, hard.  So hard, in fact, that people across the world are questioning not only why Orcas are being held in captivity but why do we humans go to zoos, swim with captive dolphins, and attend circuses with animals.

Artists feel emotions deeply and show their feelings through their medium.  Here are four artists and their Blackfish work.

Matt Sorum, lead drummer of the Band Guns N’ Roses, created this music video, For The Wild One’s.

Michael Beerens painted this mural and created a video of how he did it. ‪http://vimeo.com/100671520 







Banco Poulair, aka, Sir Michael Rocks, created this rap song and video.

Artist Larry Torro created this image.

Haven't seen Blackfish yet?  Please do.  Decide for yourself how Orcas and other wild animals living in captivity should be treated.

Here's the trailer: Video

Did you know that there is a blog for just about everything?  I admit to being slow to catch the blog wave.  Monday Blogs has introduced me to so many different people all around the world.  Each blogger shares their unique perspective on life, their local goings on, or helpful tips.

Take Monday Blogs founder, Rachel Thompson,  for example.  Rachel is a survivor of sexual abuse.  She leads a charge empowering other victims of this issue with fierce, tell it like it is, fortitude.  She is also a best selling author (Broken Pieces) and media specialist (BadRedHead Media).  She graciously shares advice and ideas that help other authors. 

Need a laugh?  Greg Mischio is your guy.  Whether he is giving you the lowdown on living like an Eskimo in Wisconsin during a Polar Vortex or revealing his research on why women go to the bathroom together, he will make you chuckle.  It sure would be fun to see him get a sitcom of his own.  We could use a new Seinfeld getaway.

Experience Down Under through the writings and drawings of  Diane Mottl.  Learn about Aborigine issues, Australian vegetation, or living in the now peacefully.  Her grace always impresses me.

In need of a dose inspiration?  ChristinaZ is your gal.  She went from living homeless on the streets to graduating from Yale University.  Her blogs are eye opening.  Her memoir is in the works.  Sure to be a great read.

Then there are the times when words are not needed.  Pictures do all the talking.  So I share with you a stroll through my garden in New York.  The flowers are at their best right now; a cacophony of colors to delight the eyes.  Nectar so sweet you may be tempted to compete the bees for a whiff.  Enjoy.

There are so many more bloggers to share with you!  If you’re interested, follow @MondayBlogs and experience it for yourself.  Perhaps you’ll be inspired to write and share your life.

Perhaps you too are hearing about all the health benefits of meditation.  It lowers stress and aging (http://cnn.it/TVbo0M).   Oprah and other billionaires swear by it.  Are you doing it?  I have dabbled in varieties of it, but never the type where you sit quietly, legs crossed, eyes closed, chanting.  When fellow dolphin advocate, Russell Simmons, published Success Through Stillness, I read it.  It inspired me to give it a real try.

What did I find after several months?  Here are just 5 experiential awakenings.

1.     My bra is too tight.  If you’re a woman, or a man (remember the Seinfeld 'Bro'), wearing a bra right now, go ahead-close your eyes and take a deep “cleansing” breath in.  Is it restrained by a piece of nylon mixed with spandex clamped together?  See.  So, the obvious answer is don’t wear one.  Another not freeing option is getting a lounge bra, which SOMA carries.

2.     I am SURROUNDED by noise pollution.  Simmons suggests that those of us in this predicament may need to try meditating in the bathroom.  I tried this, but even there, I could hear cars screaming down the road.  Finally, I gave in and meditate where I’m comfortable, acknowledging the noises but letting them be.  As I listen to the birds, I’ve come to notice they do more than chirp.  They seem to be having meaningful communication.  I wonder if they now have to TWOUT over the sounds man has cast into the air.

3.     I do and stress over a lot of unnecessary things.  A gradual awareness has set in allowing me to see how much STUFF I have around me.  I’ve been purging, donating, refusing gifts like never before and feel lighter for it.  No longer do I feel the need to fill my calendar with things to do, things to get done.  I guess this is what living more in the moment looks like.

4.     God Whispers.  Those little hints from deep inside your gut come when one is silent and listening.

5.     Heaven on Earth is possible.  Nirvana, peace, utopia-it can be experienced on this crazy, busy planet.  This seems to be the goal of meditation-check out this woman's experience. Video

Have you tried meditating?  What has your experience been like?