S2 Ep 4: How Do The Arts and Things of Beauty Impact Self-Awareness?

The arts bring out the best of what our world can be In all the craziness of the last few years – it feels hard to see the beauty of our world. But the arts are one of the best ways to see it – for everyone. TV, movies, books, paintings, and other creations help us to feel better connected. The arts remind us that our world is shared The Earth is a relatively small planet. At least in the grand, cosmic scheme of things. It’s good to remember that it’s our world, and it belongs to none of us but all of us at the same time. Despite 7 continents, 195 countries, and thousands of different religions, multiple genders, and billions of unique individuals – it’s all our world. In the face of a fear-based society and increasingly loud fundamentalists, we need the arts of the past and the present to help us to keep moving forward. It’s too easy in the here and now to lose sight of the beauty of our world. Unfortunately, the scornful, unkind, and uncompassionate tend to be the loudest. Self-awareness employs mindfulness For the most part, art is never created mindlessly. Even the most random artistic creation was intentional. Paintings, books, sculptures, and the like speak to us. Though they are products outside of ourselves – how they make us think and feel tends to be in the moment and mindful. That, in turn, can awaken more mindfulness and overall self-awareness. Art is empowering – whatever form it takes. And that’s how the arts impact self-awareness the most. For everyone. This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool: This one is wicked simple. Find a painting, a video, listen to music, or a book to read. When you spend time with that art – be present. Consider your thoughts and feelings at the time you are delving into the book, painting, music, or whatever. When done – stay with the thought and feeling. Consider what and how it is. Then write it down or type it out. Do this once a day for a week and see what new things you discover about yourself and your self-awareness. Author Website: https://mjblehart.com Email: [email protected] Instagram Twitter Facebook Blogs: titaniumdon.com and mjblehart.medium.com Cover artist Fe Mahoney: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaliasInspirations