Ellen Palestrant's Blog, page 7
April 28, 2016
February 16, 2016
VISIBLE OR VALUABLE?
If you wish in this world to advance,
Your merits you’re bound to enhance;
You must stir it and stump it
And blow your own trumpet,
Or trust me, you haven’t a chance.
-William Schwenck Gilbert
Do we create in order to be visible or do we create in order to be valuable? Do we want to succeed primarily out of a need to impress others, gain celebrity and public acclaim – or do we create because what we do is our passion; it is who we are?
It is best to pursue our creative aspirations because of an intrinsic, gnawing, relentless drive to do so – a desire to contribute something we truly believe has value – something of which we are proud. We believe that our creative enterprise is enduring and worthwhile. Our measure of ourselves and our creativity is internally based and not reliant on public visibility or on the opinions of others.
Even though success is seldom a guarantee, it should not present an obstacle to continuing along the creative path or paths we have chosen. Even more than public recognition (even though that, at times, can be self-affirming) truly creative people derive joy and satisfaction from doing work that is meaningful to them – work that is fulfilling and often, in fact, a calling.
All too often, there is confusion about whose image is best, rather than about being excellent at what we do and creating something of substance. The heady joy experienced by Spunktaneous of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE, when “chosen”, is spontaneous and infectious, and understandable for someone who has still much to learn. Eventually, he will mature into realizing that true creative quality is not about impressing others. Instead, it is about perfecting what you do, being self-challenging and committed to improvement. Being valuable is far more important than being visible.
Your merits you’re bound to enhance;
You must stir it and stump it
And blow your own trumpet,
Or trust me, you haven’t a chance.
-William Schwenck Gilbert
Do we create in order to be visible or do we create in order to be valuable? Do we want to succeed primarily out of a need to impress others, gain celebrity and public acclaim – or do we create because what we do is our passion; it is who we are?
It is best to pursue our creative aspirations because of an intrinsic, gnawing, relentless drive to do so – a desire to contribute something we truly believe has value – something of which we are proud. We believe that our creative enterprise is enduring and worthwhile. Our measure of ourselves and our creativity is internally based and not reliant on public visibility or on the opinions of others.
Even though success is seldom a guarantee, it should not present an obstacle to continuing along the creative path or paths we have chosen. Even more than public recognition (even though that, at times, can be self-affirming) truly creative people derive joy and satisfaction from doing work that is meaningful to them – work that is fulfilling and often, in fact, a calling.
All too often, there is confusion about whose image is best, rather than about being excellent at what we do and creating something of substance. The heady joy experienced by Spunktaneous of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE, when “chosen”, is spontaneous and infectious, and understandable for someone who has still much to learn. Eventually, he will mature into realizing that true creative quality is not about impressing others. Instead, it is about perfecting what you do, being self-challenging and committed to improvement. Being valuable is far more important than being visible.
February 15, 2016
PERCEPTION: IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR MOODPRINT
"What we perceive and understand depends upon what we are."
-Aldous Huxley
Do I see what you see? How similar are our perceptions? Interestingly, our perceptions are never entirely in the present moment but also drawn from our huge, varied range of stored, past experiences and neural activity constantly on-the-go…a vast subconscious, we do not know.
So we do not see things exactly in the same way but we do see things similarly because of our humaneness, comparable family backgrounds, and socio-political influences.Yet, there are always those uniquely individual perceptions because of our combinations of unseen brain activities, pasts we subconsciously recall, and the immediate experiences of our present. We therefore look at and create our worlds from our individual perspectives – from our different points of view.
Our emotions affect the way we regard our worlds and even the intensity and brilliance of the colors we see. I call these emotions, our moodprints. In my Glimpsary of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE, I define moodprints as “the Glimpsibles‘ individual perceptions of brightness, influenced by emotions.” That originality of perceptions, enthusiasm, joy, love, compassion and a vast range of Glimpsible feelings, is synonymous with our human experiences.
Just as it is important to value the commonalities of our shared experiences and world views, so should we celebrate our diversity of thoughts and perceptions – as long as they are not harmful to others – for we are enriched by the abundance of our varied temperaments and by our many influences. An ability to enter other people’s life-journeys with curiosity and, also, with the desire to understand the differences of respective circumstances, will enrich our lives – and the lives of others.
Our days vary – some being more emotionally uplifting than others, and our commensurate moods – and world views – are accordingly affected. We therefore paint our individual perceptions of the sky above us with our own emotional palettes – and so do the Glimpsibles of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE who are essentially just like us, with our varying human foibles and situations – but in fantasy-form. The world of the Glimpsibles can be any-colored – and so can our own individual worlds; it all depends on our moodprints.
Our moodprints do affect our own creative work at times, but, as I say in HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking, even when feeling vulnerable and overloaded, we should never allow the belief in what we are trying to achieve, diminish. We should always let “the joy of the work transcend the sacrifice.” Let’s all have some of Spunktaneous – a Glimpsible – in us. Let’s be as courageous and spontaneous as he is, and alter our moodprints by being joyful and by trying to change our perspectives – by looking at our world differently…
from…
Upside down,
Inside out,
Sideways and middleways,
Under and over,
From topsy-turvy and bottoms-reversy.
Let’s look at our world from another point of view.
Look at our world as Glimpsibles do…
-Aldous Huxley
Do I see what you see? How similar are our perceptions? Interestingly, our perceptions are never entirely in the present moment but also drawn from our huge, varied range of stored, past experiences and neural activity constantly on-the-go…a vast subconscious, we do not know.
So we do not see things exactly in the same way but we do see things similarly because of our humaneness, comparable family backgrounds, and socio-political influences.Yet, there are always those uniquely individual perceptions because of our combinations of unseen brain activities, pasts we subconsciously recall, and the immediate experiences of our present. We therefore look at and create our worlds from our individual perspectives – from our different points of view.
Our emotions affect the way we regard our worlds and even the intensity and brilliance of the colors we see. I call these emotions, our moodprints. In my Glimpsary of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE, I define moodprints as “the Glimpsibles‘ individual perceptions of brightness, influenced by emotions.” That originality of perceptions, enthusiasm, joy, love, compassion and a vast range of Glimpsible feelings, is synonymous with our human experiences.
Just as it is important to value the commonalities of our shared experiences and world views, so should we celebrate our diversity of thoughts and perceptions – as long as they are not harmful to others – for we are enriched by the abundance of our varied temperaments and by our many influences. An ability to enter other people’s life-journeys with curiosity and, also, with the desire to understand the differences of respective circumstances, will enrich our lives – and the lives of others.
Our days vary – some being more emotionally uplifting than others, and our commensurate moods – and world views – are accordingly affected. We therefore paint our individual perceptions of the sky above us with our own emotional palettes – and so do the Glimpsibles of THE WORLD OF GLIMPSE who are essentially just like us, with our varying human foibles and situations – but in fantasy-form. The world of the Glimpsibles can be any-colored – and so can our own individual worlds; it all depends on our moodprints.
Our moodprints do affect our own creative work at times, but, as I say in HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking, even when feeling vulnerable and overloaded, we should never allow the belief in what we are trying to achieve, diminish. We should always let “the joy of the work transcend the sacrifice.” Let’s all have some of Spunktaneous – a Glimpsible – in us. Let’s be as courageous and spontaneous as he is, and alter our moodprints by being joyful and by trying to change our perspectives – by looking at our world differently…
from…
Upside down,
Inside out,
Sideways and middleways,
Under and over,
From topsy-turvy and bottoms-reversy.
Let’s look at our world from another point of view.
Look at our world as Glimpsibles do…
February 7, 2016
SAMMY THE JOURNEY to be featured at the Sedona International Film Festival
SAMMY THE JOURNEY is both an official selection of the Sedona International Film Festival and the kickoff to Festival Month!
Every now and then, we encounter an individual who will affect our lives profoundly and forever. This person is Sam Harris, the Sammy of the movie: SAMMY THE JOURNEY, produced by Eric Cosh and Ellen Palestrant.
This 90-minute documentary tells the story of one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust who hid in two concentration camps from the ages of seven to nine-and-a-half, because, if found, he would have been killed. Despite enduring a childhood filled with cruelty, sadism and horror, Sam chose to lead a life of positivity, generosity and optimism. He did not focus on negativity and blame; instead, he turned towards the light and, as a result, he continues to brighten the lives of all in his presence. Whether you meet him in person or in this movie, he will impact your life forever.
How amazing that a person who had suffered so much could emerge as an inspirational role model with so much to offer the world – someone from whom we all can learn!
Sam Harris not only survived but he thrived. Watching SAMMY THE JOURNEY is indeed a life-transforming experience – a journey into brightness for all…
The evening will also include a special concert by local musicians Lyra — Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who composed the theme music for the film) and Allen Ames.
Eric Cosh, Ellen Palestrant, Sam Harris (“Sammy”) and Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who wrote the theme music, "SAmmy's Song) and Allen Ames will appear on stage after the viewing of the movie.
Date: February 8, 2016
Times: 4 PM and 7 PM
Venue: Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Visit the Sedona International Film Festival’s official site for more information and to purchase tickets.
Watch the SAMMY THE JOURNEY trailer.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInGoogle+Share
Every now and then, we encounter an individual who will affect our lives profoundly and forever. This person is Sam Harris, the Sammy of the movie: SAMMY THE JOURNEY, produced by Eric Cosh and Ellen Palestrant.
This 90-minute documentary tells the story of one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust who hid in two concentration camps from the ages of seven to nine-and-a-half, because, if found, he would have been killed. Despite enduring a childhood filled with cruelty, sadism and horror, Sam chose to lead a life of positivity, generosity and optimism. He did not focus on negativity and blame; instead, he turned towards the light and, as a result, he continues to brighten the lives of all in his presence. Whether you meet him in person or in this movie, he will impact your life forever.
How amazing that a person who had suffered so much could emerge as an inspirational role model with so much to offer the world – someone from whom we all can learn!
Sam Harris not only survived but he thrived. Watching SAMMY THE JOURNEY is indeed a life-transforming experience – a journey into brightness for all…
The evening will also include a special concert by local musicians Lyra — Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who composed the theme music for the film) and Allen Ames.
Eric Cosh, Ellen Palestrant, Sam Harris (“Sammy”) and Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who wrote the theme music, "SAmmy's Song) and Allen Ames will appear on stage after the viewing of the movie.
Date: February 8, 2016
Times: 4 PM and 7 PM
Venue: Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Visit the Sedona International Film Festival’s official site for more information and to purchase tickets.
Watch the SAMMY THE JOURNEY trailer.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInGoogle+Share
SAMMY THE JOURNEY to be featured at the Sedona International Film Festival
SAMMY THE JOURNEY is both an official selection of the Sedona International Film Festival and the kickoff to Festival Month!
Every now and then, we encounter an individual who will affect our lives profoundly and forever. This person is Sam Harris, the Sammy of the movie: SAMMY THE JOURNEY, produced by Eric Cosh and Ellen Palestrant.
This 90-minute documentary tells the story of one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust who hid in two concentration camps from the ages of seven to nine-and-a-half, because, if found, he would have been killed. Despite enduring a childhood filled with cruelty, sadism and horror, Sam chose to lead a life of positivity, generosity and optimism. He did not focus on negativity and blame; instead, he turned towards the light and, as a result, he continues to brighten the lives of all in his presence. Whether you meet him in person or in this movie, he will impact your life forever.
How amazing that a person who had suffered so much could emerge as an inspirational role model with so much to offer the world – someone from whom we all can learn!
Sam Harris not only survived but he thrived. Watching SAMMY THE JOURNEY is indeed a life-transforming experience – a journey into brightness for all…
The evening will also include a special concert by local musicians Lyra — Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who composed the theme music for the film) and Allen Ames.
Eric Cosh, Ellen Palestrant, Sam Harris (“Sammy”) and Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who wrote the theme music, "SAmmy's Song) and Allen Ames will appear on stage after the viewing of the movie.
Date: February 8, 2016
Times: 4 PM and 7 PM
Venue: Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Visit the Sedona International Film Festival’s official site for more information and to purchase tickets.
Watch the SAMMY THE JOURNEY trailer.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInGoogle+Share
Every now and then, we encounter an individual who will affect our lives profoundly and forever. This person is Sam Harris, the Sammy of the movie: SAMMY THE JOURNEY, produced by Eric Cosh and Ellen Palestrant.
This 90-minute documentary tells the story of one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust who hid in two concentration camps from the ages of seven to nine-and-a-half, because, if found, he would have been killed. Despite enduring a childhood filled with cruelty, sadism and horror, Sam chose to lead a life of positivity, generosity and optimism. He did not focus on negativity and blame; instead, he turned towards the light and, as a result, he continues to brighten the lives of all in his presence. Whether you meet him in person or in this movie, he will impact your life forever.
How amazing that a person who had suffered so much could emerge as an inspirational role model with so much to offer the world – someone from whom we all can learn!
Sam Harris not only survived but he thrived. Watching SAMMY THE JOURNEY is indeed a life-transforming experience – a journey into brightness for all…
The evening will also include a special concert by local musicians Lyra — Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who composed the theme music for the film) and Allen Ames.
Eric Cosh, Ellen Palestrant, Sam Harris (“Sammy”) and Maryanne Kremer-Ames (who wrote the theme music, "SAmmy's Song) and Allen Ames will appear on stage after the viewing of the movie.
Date: February 8, 2016
Times: 4 PM and 7 PM
Venue: Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Visit the Sedona International Film Festival’s official site for more information and to purchase tickets.
Watch the SAMMY THE JOURNEY trailer.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInGoogle+Share
May 30, 2015
WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF YOU AND YOUR CREATIVE POTENTIAL?
"It's about removing barriers, which is one of the few straight-forward things we can do to encourage creativity." Nathan Myhrvold.
Most people are more creative than they realize but, all too often, there are obstacles which stand in the way of individuals and their valuable creative potential. In my book, HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking, I call these destructive, negative controls, hunch crunchers, because they compete with your hunches, your intuitive moments, and shout more loudly.
It is important to identify the obstacles or crunchers in your life and free yourself of them. The road to reaching self-actualization, and therefore reaching your potential is fraught with disturbances. Taking charge of your own creative potential is not only desirable but doable.
By identifying the obstacles to your creative thinking, you will be ready to take charge of your own creative potential and feel secure with your originality. It is important to know that many of the ideas that have felt right for you, are right. Your hunches, your instincts, are indeed worthy of your attention.
Most people are more creative than they realize but, all too often, there are obstacles which stand in the way of individuals and their valuable creative potential. In my book, HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HUNCH? The Importance of Creative Thinking, I call these destructive, negative controls, hunch crunchers, because they compete with your hunches, your intuitive moments, and shout more loudly.
It is important to identify the obstacles or crunchers in your life and free yourself of them. The road to reaching self-actualization, and therefore reaching your potential is fraught with disturbances. Taking charge of your own creative potential is not only desirable but doable.
By identifying the obstacles to your creative thinking, you will be ready to take charge of your own creative potential and feel secure with your originality. It is important to know that many of the ideas that have felt right for you, are right. Your hunches, your instincts, are indeed worthy of your attention.
