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
I’ve just completed my latest painting. It’s a big one (39.5″ x 60″) Painting this subject has been immensely gratifying. While the intricate play of [...]
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 [...]
What Are Your Intentions for the Journey?
Photo by Jed Smith ©2016 I’ve been staring at a blank page (for this week’s post), and a blank canvas (for my next [...]
In the Face of a Sheep
My recent sojourn with shepherds, goats, and sheep in the stunning Apennines mountains of the Parco Nazionale della Majella of Abruzzo left me musing about what I had [...]
Finding Respite in a Shepherd’s Journey in Abruzzo
A Shepherd’s Journey As most of you know, I recently had the good fortune to go on a “walkabout” with shepherds in the [...]
The Opportunities in Boredom.
Sometimes we label the ordinary as boring, and we miss the beauty and opportunities in front of us. Becoming bored is one of [...]
Embrace the mystery of life, and prepare for things to change…
Contrary to a life-long desire to figure “things” out, and arrive at a metaphorical destination in which I finally can relax, I’m learning that constant [...]