Making it through the winter in Toronto this year has been a little like taking a very long ascetic course that you really had no intention of ever signing up for.
This will be my last winter in TORONTO I hope, I will not go through this kind of antiseptic cryogenic solstice ever again. However, I CHOOSE to be HAPPY.
Oh man.
They say that out of every challenge you overcome lurks a meaningful lesson...Ok, I am waiting, and waiting. It has been especially brutal, and the good news is that it really isn't close to being over.
I was speaking with my cousin Chris on the weekend who lives in Vancouver and he was telling me that they have been having some warm, springlike days and that the buds are trying to burst through. People are playing golf. Sitting outside. What?
Why did I move back? Hey I didn't always love putting on a fresh Suit and then getting drenched before I hit the car, but it sure beats this FELLINI like polar bear world.
Ok, enough of the complaining. I will deal with it. However, If I am not in Asia by the summer, I will certainly be back in Vancouver.
Today I was searching to see if the spiritual bookstore in Vancouver that I liked so much was still there. It really has been around for so many years. It is still there Banyen Books, yes. Actually here is there web site. http://www.banyen.com/
There are a couple of inspiring ARTISTS that have websites and they are located in the area. Wonderful writing and beautiful photography. A great place to visit for inspiration. The sites are very female friendly but shouldn't be much of a stretch for you guys to wrap your head around.
This fist site is run by an old friend of mine Madelyn Mulvaney and it is a real joy to behold. If spending time in her world doesn't inspire you and put you in an inquisitive mood, nothing will.
Warm, fuzzy and a little on the cerebral side, this is really a work of art personified. If you can't escape the snow right now, this is the next most effective cure all: Persisting stars.
http://www.persistingstars.com
Also, another site that I found through the persisting stars website is run by a real interesting woman named Amanda Ford. An author and photographer and an avid bicycle lover, she is also a real treat to get to know from a distance. Her website is :
http://www.oholive.com/index.htm
These are very lyrical and honest environments, perfect to take a good look at the sacrifices and the joys that artists experience in their daily explorations and meditations. How to experience pure love and synthesize it and pass it on. (They give you the real feeling that it would me much more of a sacrifice to not try and be an artist at some point, and by doing that, encourage you to become the most authentic artist possible)
On another personal note, once in a while in between doing work online, I will visit a site that has great architecture, fabulous photographs of whole foods, fresh coffees and baked goods. I imagine sitting there in Portland or Seattle, having a piece of pie and writing. It kind of makes you feel good for a second.
Kind of like the virtual fireplace that they have on Rogers. Although the feeling there doesn't last long.
You can't get satiated by looking , but the visit doesn't hurt. Losing it? Maybe. Starbucks is always on the corner Rick.
Now it is time to face the outdoors and the people, all those crazed, cold people. They all look so worried....They just need a little humanity or a sprouting bud to put a smile on their faces.
Rick
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