“In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.” ~H.H. the Dalai Lama

Gratitude for Art.

Art helps us to see in new perspectives, give voice to that which would be silenced.

Art is engagement. 

Watching "bystander" a couple of weeks ago which was the title of the new episode of "Beyond the Bar (Esquire)", the point above was reiterated for me... in an art form. The whole series is a joy to watch and discuss themes of morality and legal perspective, but this one episode had tears streaming down my cheeks.
In the story, there were people who saw abuse happening and didn't intervene for various reasons: fear, shame, discomfort...
At the trial, the story told how a group of people did little things to try to bring justice to a heartbreaking situation; a life could have been saved had the person been taught differently perhaps, another would have been saved because the bullying would have been stopped.

So much of our art is seen on screens these days and a lot of it isn't worth the time... there are still gems around, though, films and shows of beauty, intelligence, wisdom, kindness. Seeing universal themes portrayed in a different language and setting also helps bring new perspective and perhaps openness, catching one offguard.

Blessings,
JR


Photo of painting by: Andreas Fuchs