call to arms

Hmmmm, maybe it should be call to, I don't know - gratitude or human kindness or equanimity.  Jonathan Field's current post examines this and it's an ongoing challenge for me and a lot of people I know ... how to operate a forward thinking, successful and heart based business in this world where the mean-spirited and underhanded is celebrated and emulated and held up to be the standard mode of operation.

I had lunch with the Thorntons today, Cynthia and Andrew, and of course we got around to talking business.  We've all been in the biz for a good while and got to swapping a few horror stories.  Lord mercy, the things we've seen.  Those stories got me to thinking - Why does it seem like the trend is towards the dark side?  That Darth Vadar has the upper hand and Obi Wan and Yoda are struggling.  Am I wrong or missing something?  Now, I have no delusions that the world will ever be all good or all bad.  I guess my main hope is that we might find our way to some kind of balance, no not balance.  I'd like to see it weighted towards the light, towards that equanimity.

So here's the challenge ...
  -  How can we shift the balance from dark to light?  
  -  Anyone have suggestions for new paths to blaze in the world of heart centered business?
  -  Anyone have ideas for subversive techniques?  For instance, I think the proliferation of yoga classes is an excellent subversive technique.  A good, solid yoga practice first changes you physically, but it ever so slowly changes you emotionally and spiritually ... very very sneaky that way.
  -  How do you stay focused, awake and aware?
  -  How do you avoid the intoxicating and alluring world of gossip and reality TV or would-be snarky friends - you know those black-hole people that live in a dreadful mean vacuum and want to suck you down with them?
  -  Can we be straightforward in our approach or does it call for being sneaky?  Hmmm, probably a combination.

Inquiring minds (me in particular) want to know!

I firmly believe in and make every effort to operate from a place of deep love and gratitude.  That's what I want to share, that's what I want people to feel about my work, that's really the only reason to do anything - spread the light.

One more thought - viral gratitude?

Wanna join the party?  Yeah, buddy - jump in ... the water's grand!

with deep gratitude and multitudes of blessings - kvk

p.s.  don't forget - these guys are doing it - the Daily Good: News that Inspires
p.p.s.  thanks to Cynthia and Andrew for the exceptional meal and inspiring conversation

full moon, radar sightings and good news

On this day of the full moon, I'm feeling satiated, fully awake, engaged and tingly with anticipation.  The only mystery is how to fit everything in, but I do love a good mystery.  There's just so much!  I've been saving up on my radar sightings - got some gooderns..........

Obsolete - a gallery of exceptionally cool artists and antiquities.  Two of my favorites:

 artist, Dennis Manarchy 

 and from the antiquities, this marionette

Lady Grey Jewelry - especially like the archive. 

 image from Rackk and Ruin blog

Gots to read more about this image from the NYT article ...

And from the current issue of Selvedge, a gorgeous article about the exquisite home of Chinese designer Ma Ke.  Her clothing is just as amazing.  She's got two brands, Exception de Mixmind and the couture side, Wuyong (useless).  It takes forever to load, but has a switch for English and an equally cool look and work.  The Mixmind site is mostly in Chinese, so it's fun to click on things and see what they are, the music is very cool (techno opera?) and the clothing is heavenly.  Here's two of my favorites images ...

And on a different note ... a while back I had the thought that someone should do a "good news" broadcast or program.  Turns out there's a good news blog - Daily Good: news that inspires - yes, that is very good news!

And some really really good news - Sterling Silver Precious Metal Clay!!!!!!!  I have 75grams of PMC Pro sitting by my worktable.  I've hesitated to use it because of hallmarking issues.  Why on earth Mitsubishi came up with this mystery metal 90% alloy is curious and pretty much annoying.  Turns out I'm not alone with my concerns.  The issue is a big deal in Europe where there's actually a system in place to monitor precious metals and alloys.  So there's an article in the new issue of Metalclay Artist Magazine on how to make and fire sterling silver metal clay.  It's a mix of PMC 3 and PMC Pro (an Artclay version is also in there) and is looking fairly labor intensive, but I'm okay with that.  I'd much rather have a product that is a recognized alloy than a product that requires endless explanation. 

So that's it for now.  Except for one more image ... I love this one of Ma Ke, designer/maker extraordinaire.

sending celestial light and full moon blessings - kvk

"the Good News"

I got completely gnarled out last night watching the Golden Globe awards.  I used to devour these awards shows; I loved the gowns and jewels and glamour.  Last night was mean and surreal.  No fun at all.  I'm totally out of step with what seems to be the mainstream, normal mode of operation.  And you know, I'm exceedingly relieved that I just don't get it.

Then I got to thinking ... Who's game for taking on a new project?  Anybody out there interested in working on "The Good News" news program.  No snarky, meanspirited nattering, no blown up bodies or crazed mass murderers, just good news.  I know there must be a lot of really good things going on in the world, so how come we rarely hear about them in the mainstream media?  We rarely watch network TV, but the last few times we've tuned in, we've run straight away.  Mean and angry and so sad to realize this is what so many people want to watch.  And they wonder why there's such a bullying problem in schools ...

So for something completely different, here's a new record company that is having it's big launch party this afternoon.  Harmony Records.  (this is their Facebook link) and a new video for MLK day ...



"The Good News" ... just an idea.

blessings - kvk