(Robert A. Lue: ANIMATION An image from the video “Powering the Cell: Mitochondria.” )

This post was inspired by a New York Times article I read earlier today http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/science/16animate.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB However, for me the article was the adhesive that took several concepts I've been exposed to and bond them together into cohesive new experience of the world I live in and the faith that lives in me. What follows are words that attempt to convey what I've come to experience. Hope it resonates for some of you. For others, simply enjoy the visuals. Either way I'm happy to share.

The Greatest work of art ever simply IS. In this current and eternal moment of now presence is using intent to create, transform and recreate life. Often we look up at the sky and thanks to science and science fiction films like Star Wars, Star Trek and the like we are well aware of the infinite dimension of space. Though we cannot fully conceive of it we can now at least sense that it exists and we are part of it.

In recent days after re-reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle I've resumed a journey inward to experience the full awareness of simply BEING. I know, I know it all sounds like a lot of new world mumbo jumbo, but rock with me for a minute.

What we think of as solid (our bodies, rocks, trees, minerals, etc.) really are not. There's as much space within us as there is outside of us. All bodies are made of organs, which are made of tissue, which is made of cells, which is made of smaller cellular parts like nuclei, membranes, etc., which are made of smaller parts like mitochondria, RNA, DNA, etc., which are made of molecules, which are made of atoms, which are made of sub-atomic particles, which are made of even smaller fragments and it goes on and on and on. Each infinitely smaller object existing in the infinite space within. Each playing an important role in the forever ongoing process that is creation.

Of course all of this is impossible for us to imagine or comprehend with our minds (aka egos), yet due to scientific research and powerful tools we've been able to catch a small glimpse into a world we cannot see with the naked eye. We will never be able to see the entire Universe because it is infinite in both directions (outside of us and inside of us). But when one awakens and realizes that we are NOT our bodies and minds, BUT THEY ARE WONDERFUL TOOLS then you are free to feel the presence of the wonderful and infinitely amazing world with which we are one.

There are fish, water, plankton and billions of other life forms in the sea. The same is true of the land with billions of forms of life, minerals, rocks, etc. and the air with various birds, insects, gases, etc. most of which we cannot see, but KNOW exist. Ponder this: without life the earth could not exist as we know it and surely without the earth we could not exist in our known forms. Imagine the possibilities outward into the solar system, our galaxy, millions of other galaxies, nebulas, gas clouds, and the Universe itself. When you stop THINKING with you ego based mind and simply become aware of and experience what IS the truth becomes undeniably clear...

NOTHING OR NO ONE IS GREATER THAN THE OTHER
ESSENTIALLY THERE IS NO OTHER
ALL IS ONE...
connected FOREVER IN THIS ONE MOMENT THAT GOES ON WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END.

ALPHA AND OMEGA

BEGINNING AND THE END

I AM THAT I AM

There is nothing you need to do. Nothing you need to achieve. No one you need to acquire.

Just BE.

Posted by rickyday at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Apparently the Vatican likes The Simpsons. Check out the story I found earlier here: (Vatican paper praises The Simpsons) and then watch this great clip from the 20 year old series.

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This blog is about art, love and the human spirit. One of my very favorite musical artists of any genre is the extremely talented Tonex. In an incredible interview conducted recently Tonex speaks candidly about music and his personal life and comes clean about homosexuality. It is a riveting, powerful and honest conversation. I thought it was something I needed to share for those of you who may be facing similar circumstances. I am very interested in your opinions on the interview and the subject.

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You've probably peeped by now that though I am VERY human and NO BETTA than anyone else I choose to see the world through very different eyes...LOVING EYES. Instead of jumping on bandwagons of negativity and judgment I try my very best to see the "other" side and to find solutions instead of dwelling on the problem.

The recent Rihanna and Chris Brown fiasco has been sad and painful to watch. Obviously it's tragic and painful to know a young woman was brutalized in such a violent fashion. It is equally painful to know that a young man who by all accounts is a decent human-being essentially snapped and lashed out in violence towards the young woman he supposedly loves. What I find amazing is how so many people can be so insensitive to the plight of these two young people.

When tragedies happen we always seem to want to define the moment in simplistic terms of hero, villain and victim. Life doesn't EVER work that way. One person's freedom fighter is another persons terrorist. One persons victim is another person's enabler. We also forget that these two people are essentially kids. In my opinion they need help, they need guidance, they need love. What they probably don't need is bitter adults pointing fingers and piling our own baggage and failed relationships unto their shoulders.

When Rihanna decided to NOT play victim and instead to do what she thinks is right; including possibly working things out with Chris it unleashed a backlash against her. For me the backlash told the real story. I honestly think a few people are genuinely concerned for her and of course we should be. However, I think more than a few people were disappointed that she was robbing us of an opportunity to watch another episode of villain vs. victim. Demonizing another young black male and turning a hurt young woman into a heroine without knowing the circumstances doesn't really feel like a prudent or loving thing to do. If we really love these kids and want the best for them then I'd think we be praying that they get some counseling, take some time apart and then decide for themselves what is right going forward. Seems to me that would be a very LOVING way of looking at it. This general feeling of disappointment that I sense in the air that there will be no public morality play feels like a half-hearted display of compassion and concern.

I don't ever want my daughter, niece or any human being to be subjected to any kind of abuse (emotional, physical or spiritual). Violence is clearly wrong and should be prevented when possible and punished when necessary. However, I think it is equally important to teach young men that it is NOT weak to show emotion. Too often men in western culture (particularly men of color) are taught that showing emotion is being weak. We're all human beings and essentially we are emotionl creatures. If you take away nearly all of our emotions and leave rage, aggression and anger as the only acceptable emotions for a man to express, well...you finish the sentence.

What Chris did is wrong. Why he did it needs to be understood. How to prevent anyone else from doing it needs to be the mission.

My humble thoughts on a sad situation.

Posted by rickyday at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The past is but a memory.

The future is but a dream.

In spirit and in reality NOW is all the ever is...

and NOW is ALWAYS the time to be JOYFUL AND THANKFUL.

Just a little somethin I was inspired to share.

Have a very Pop Wed.

I love you.

Ricky

Posted by rickyday at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Being an artist and free spirit I tend to meet lots of interesting people on a regular basis. Short, tall, male, female, transgender, black, white, latino, asian, gay, straight, bi, Christian, Muslim, etc. I meet lots of people. As I've grown more comfortable in my own skin and with who I am it has enabled me to really appreciate life and to see myself in everything and everyone around me.

We are all connected in a painfully obvious way, but we often deny this simple truth. Spiritually and systemically we are on, but our actions demonstrate our collective disbelief of the obvious. Once you accept that God is in each of us and we are one together it makes petty differences and judgements of each other seem like the pathetic waste of time that they are.

Recently I met and have become friends with a young man named Karell who now lives in Canada and is living his dream of dancing professionally. He is a member of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal. To say that he is inspiring is an understatement. He walks, talks and lives life with a joy that can only be described as divine. Stop right there and DO NOT MAKE THE ASSUMPTION YOU WERE ABOUT TO MAKE...LOL...I SIMPLY LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE HAPPY AND DOING THINGS THAT BRING THEM JOY. It is the same joy you see in young children and it is the joy we are each meant to have everyday of our lives. I have begun to reclaim my inner child and I urge each of you to do the same.

Look at these pictures and instead of trying to judge who he is or who you imagine him to be, for just one moment appreciate the pure joy he expresses in his experience of the simple things. I think it's beautiful and something I just had to share.

I'm glad you POPPed today, but while you're at get your JOY on too!!!!

For my info on me visit my official website
www.rickyday.net

Posted by rickyday at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I have assisted a couple of notable fashion photographers over the past year. While working on such a shoot I was asked to stand in so he could adjust the lighting. While I was doing my job he snapped this image of me. This image has not been retouched or anything and as you know I am NO SPRING CHICKEN...lol. I am far from perfect and in today's glamorous times the temptation would be to retouch and enhance this image to death. But my friend who sent it to me and I both share the same sentiment..it IS WHO I AM...and I embrace and even love it!

The point of sharing this with you is to demonstrate the power of being captured and shown in great light. Great lighting makes everything look better because it captures the spirit of what is essentially true. This is true for photos, but it is also a philosophical and social reality. You should always do your best to live and think in the best light possible. It makes all your flaws just another element in the essence of who you are and allows your imperfections to humanize you.

Be the best you that you can be, be loving, be thoughtful, be human. This is the greatest light and it always makes for a great picture.

Posted by rickyday at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So awhile back a close friend told me I should read a book called The Four Agreements. The specific reason the book was suggested slips my mind, but I took his suggestion and picked up the book. WOW...WOW...WOW is all I can say!

I read the book in 2 days and still read it again and again periodically. Besides being thoughtful and insightful, it offered to me a new way of seeing and relating to the world around me. Combined with what I had already learned from living my life and reading other books (Conversations With God and The Little Prince) it helped to free my mind and really start enjoying life and being the kind of man/artist that I knew inside I could be. Here are the agreements:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Think about these agreements for a minute. If your interested enough I suggest reading the The Four Agreements ASAP and hit me back with your thoughts.

Posted by rickyday at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)