Test Post Title

Test Post Body

Pale Whisper on the Horizon

http://www.instagram.com/p/BAFI-ZDRu3D/

Let Go, Let Flow

Words & typography by Lisa Pearlman 

Background photo wallpaper via iOS 7 iphone app

RIP Robin Williams: Shine on You Crazy Diamond

It is both a tragedy and a travesty… May he live on through his amazing legacy of Love & Laughter…he will forever be remembered by the millions he touched…

Robin Williams 1951-2014

A man and an actor adored by millions for his fun-loving personality, quirky humor, comedic talent, selfless generosity, and amazing ability to portray the human condition in all its rawness, channeling a wealth of human emotions through both his comedy and his dramatic character portrayals…A man who made life worth living for Christopher Reeve in his darkest hour…A man who performed in dangerous war zones to support and uplift the troops…A man who treated everyone he met as a friend…A man who created ripples of laughter wherever he went…smiling, joking…Sure, he had his demons, but he had seemingly exorcised them years ago and freely shared them with self-deprecating humor during his frenetic comedy routines. He once admitted that he had considered suicide only once, and that he quickly saw the absurdity of his thoughts. He quipped that he told himself ‘you don’t have the balls to do it!” I wish he had echoed that same sentiment to himself on Monday, August 11, 2014…I wish he changed his mind, talked himself out of it, reached out for help…j
 
#RIPRobinWilliams – A gentle genius and man of heart who brought joy and laughter to many while suffering in silence, alone. 

Perhaps the only explanation that gives any insight into why, can be found in the lines he uttered in one of his more dramatic character roles:

“I used to think the worst thing was to end up all alone. It isn’t. The worst thing is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.”

It breaks my heart to think Robin felt so alone in his depression that he chose to take his own life. The world, as well as his family, mourns this tragic loss of an extraordinary man who leaves behind a legacy of laughter, genius, kindness and goodwill. Remember him for the way he lived, not the way he died. But in his honor, spread awareness of the x reality that #DepressionKills !! And nobody is immune to its attack… #DEPRESSION  is an equal opportunity offender, it does not discriminate, defying age, class, race, ethnicity, religion, gender…in short, it can grab hold of anyone! If it remains hidden and/or untreated, often suicide is the ultimate resolution. 

If you are depressed, please GET HELP! Call someone! Get online & talk to someone! Do NOT “suck it up” & suffer in silence! 

HELP IS AVAILABLE! 

*Call 24/7 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (National Suicide Prevention-USA)

I personally offer my friendship and service to each and every one of you. You are not alone…ever! I LOVE YOU!

Love & Light,

Lisa Pearlman

)

A Kinder, Gentler World

Much Respect and Props to Hershey High students for this bold initiative!  

[See below article for details]

Spreading Awareness and Education are the key to ending Bullying and increasing Sensitivity and Tolerance toward others. Our similarities as human beings are stronger than our superficial differences! Expressing the benefits of "Inclusion" through creativity and art is an effective means to teach others and spread awareness in a non-threatening manner. Often the effects of being "preached to" yield unintended results and resistance, especially in the teenage population who are typically hostile and rebellious toward direct authoritarian methods of [re]direction. This "hands-on" approach is inclusive and experiential as students participate in and focus on a shared activity with a common goal. I hope that more schools and programs will follow suit with similar initiatives to address issues related to social diversity and exclusive thinking such as intolerance, hatred, prejudice, bullying, racism, equal rights, immigration, poverty stigma, socio-economics (class discrimination) and other such forms of discrimination. Because prejudice and discrimination are acquired beliefs and behavior respectively, based on "Us vs Them" thinking and fueled by learned stereotypes, we must begin by addressing the misinformation. We must attack the problem at its source, replacing the underlying Ignorance and Fear that foster an attitude of EXclusion, with Education, Awareness and Tolerance to change core thinking and foster an attitude of INclusion. There is no better way to change negative thoughts to positive, than by creating positive experiences that challenge and counter old thoughts and behaviors. Learning through personal experience, replacing ignorance with hands-on knowledge, paired with Cognitive Restructuring through role-playing and repetition, is our most effective tool to Unlearn fear-based thoughts and assumptions. 

Perhaps a kinder, gentler world, united in peace and our common humanity, is indeed a possibility for future generations. 

~ Lisa Pearlman  5/16/14              

Hershey High Students Render Inclusive Art Work - abc27 WHTM

Photo courtesy of ABC-27 News

Nothing is Ordinary

I happened to be driving home a few mornings ago, around 5:30am, so I seized a rare opportunity to catch the early sunrise.  I noticed, for the first time, a layer of thick white mist or fog hovering over the grass on the farmlands stretching across both sides of this rural road that I drive almost every day.  Of course, I stopped and took a slew of pictures!  It is amazing how photography has opened my eyes to every day little things that I ordinarily miss because I am too busy or preoccupied with thought to notice. 

We function on autopilot so much of the time, unaware of our surroundings, blind to the beauty that exists all around us.  We drive familiar roads mindlessly, by rote, with our minds on everything but what we are experiencing in the present moment.  We are always hurrying to the next destination, using travel as a means to an end, to get from point A to point B. Our minds are always focused on the next task we have to complete, as if life consisted of a series of endless To-Do lists, with items being continually checked off, yet we never catch up with life.  Then eventually life catches up with you, and there is no time left to complete the most important list, your bucket list, the one listing all the experiences you wanted to enjoy just as soon as you "got caught up" in the race of life. 

Lately, I find myself practicing mindfulness daily, ever since I got my iphone and discovered the art of iphoneography.  It is like seeing for the first time!   I have rediscovered the world around me, and guess what?      

Nothing is Ordinary!                                

If we pay attention to details, to the little things, as well as the connections that exist throughout nature and between nature and humanity, we see the Harmony of the Universe, and our role as co-creators of our life and world.  And it is amazing!   Every moment is a spiritual awakening if you stay mindful. And every moment is an opportunity to find beauty as well as create it! 

Thank you to my cyberworld fam for sharing my journey of discovery. I Love y'all! 💜 Shine on! ☀️ Namasté 🙏

© Lisa Pearlman 5/4/14

To Thine Own Self be True

Recently, while perusing the website Quora, I stumbled upon a contemplative question posed under the category "Spirituality and Personal Religion." I am reposting the question here, along with my personal answer, for my readers to contemplate and/or offer their personal feedback.

Question:  What can we do when our desire and values conflict?

Answer:

If our values are in conflict with our desires, as often seems to be the case, it is a warning sign that we may not be living authentically.  Our values are deep-rooted in us, yet many of us follow our desires instead.  To live authentically, we must re-evaluate our desires, as well as our values, and make a conscious choice whether to act in accordance with our values or to act against what we BELIEVE to be our values. 

Ask yourself: "Are my desires merely short-term desires or "whims" that will bring me temporary pleasure but long-lasting conflict, regret or misery?  If my values are in conflict with my desires, what is the basis of my values?  Are they values instilled in me by others, or through my upbringing, that I have not internalized?"  If they are truly your values, your conviction will be so strong you will be able to justify them without hesitation.  Your desires, on the other hand, may seem strong at the immediate moment, but choose to reflect on them rather than opting for "immediate gratification."  You may find the desire waning in intensity, much like a craving, or you may experience anxiety, but ultimately you must make a choice, so take the time to make the "right one", the one that, in the end, will strengthen your character rather than weaken, bring you peace of mind rather than conflict, and make you smile on the inside rather than frown. 

~ Lisa Pearlman 7/14/13 (Words and Photo Credit)