The Transformative Power of Stillness
My mother always joked that I was the vagabond of the family. She learned not to be surprised when I pulled up stakes and headed [...]
It’s a Matter of Perspective, Isn’t It?
Recently I was reminded of the benefits of entertaining different perspectives. As I’ve indicated in previous posts, my art and photography often teach me lessons that [...]
Building a New Life, Stone by Stone
Building a new life means recognizing you may have to lay new stones and tear out old ones. This realization has been smacking me in the [...]
Ready To Take the Plunge and Hit Reset?
If you’re moving to Italy you’d best be prepared to hit reset. Why do I say this? Because, in my experience, many people can be so [...]
The Gift of Winter in Italy.
A confession right up front: for most of my life I’ve despised winter (even winter in Italy) and looked on it as something to just [...]
The Power and Perils of Being Liked
Being liked. Am I too motivated by approval? This question has been percolating for at least a month. In fact, I considered making this subject [...]
Learning to Dance with Both Life and Death
I believe spending time in cemeteries helps remind me to wake up to the intrinsic dance of life and death. That’s why I love, in [...]
Trapped in a Thought Bubble?
If you’ve been following my recent posts, you won’t be surprised that my photography often ends up prompting me to write about a subject that [...]
Relax into the Unknown
This has become my mantra. Why? Because, for most of my life I’ve tried to master and control my experience. Trusting life and knowing how [...]
Exploring the Rich Potential of Spaciousness
I was ready for some spaciousness…or so I thought. Our long-awaited trip to the tranquil island of Folegandros, Greece, finally had arrived. This would be [...]
Big Life Changes and the Shifts of the Soul
When you decide to up-end your life completely and plop yourself down in a completely different culture like Italy, you might want to be prepared [...]
The Appeal of a Quiet Mind
“Stillness” — © Jed Smith, 2020 (oil on canvas) I’ve just completed my latest painting. It’s a big one [...]
My Italy Move, Several Years Later
My enduring metaphor for life… Here I am, several years after pulling the trigger on my Italy move. And I’m damn glad I made the [...]
Don’t Over Think It!
This statue is me, on far too many occasions. Lost in my head, and not present enough to my amazing surroundings. This is what happens [...]
What Happens When We Wear a Mask?
Would you laugh with this jester? My mind and my imagination are still reeling from the bountiful display of pageantry and costumes that [...]
Layers of Solitude
Layers of Solitude – Jed Smith © 2017 I’m enamored with the emotion and scenes of solitude. When my mother, who was [...]
It’s Simply a Matter of Perspective
Wrought-iron railings adorn the bridges of Venice and provide unique views of the canals. I’m in heaven when I’m meandering through the confusing [...]
May the Stars of Possibility Light Your Way
My extraordinary artistic mother lit the fuse of my imagination. My brilliant engineering father taught me how to construct a plan and a path towards making something [...]