Antidotes For The Age Of Anxiety - Mingyur Rinpoche

'Success' By Bessie Anderson Stanley

'Success' by Bessie Anderson Stanley

He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;

who has enjoyed the trust of
pure women,

the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;

who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;

who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;

who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;

whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

Farm

'The Farm' by Joan Miró 1893-1983

 

Fossil

 Smithsonian Magazine: Scientists Discover the Oldest Known Ant Fossil, a 113-Million-Year-Old ‘Hell Ant’ Preserved in Rock in Brazil - The odd-looking specimen with scythe-like jaws indicates that early ants were spread widely across the globe while dinosaurs still roamed by Sara Hashemi

'Grifter'

K2-18b

 Space.com: Possible signs of alien life found on nearby exoplanet, study By Mike Wall - "Given everything we know about this planet, a Hycean world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data we have."

'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'

Kylie Minogue

Elk

From the Yale University Library - 'Elk Horn, Herald of the Brave Dogs' - early 1900s by Walter McClintock 1870-1949

 

Deer

In many cultures around the world, seeing a deer is considered a good omen, often associated with gentleness, grace, good fortune, and spiritual messages. Here are a few examples:

Native American Traditions: Across various Native American tribes, the deer holds significant spiritual meaning. It often symbolizes gentleness, intuition, sensitivity, and connection to the spirit world. Seeing a deer can be interpreted as a sign of peace, harmony, and that you are on the right path. Some tribes also associate deer with abundance and prosperity.

Celtic Mythology: In Celtic traditions, the white stag, in particular, is a powerful symbol. It's often seen as a messenger from the Otherworld, representing purity, spiritual guidance, and the pursuit of higher knowledge. Encountering any deer could be seen as a blessing or a sign of good luck.

East Asian Cultures: In some East Asian cultures, such as Japan, the deer is revered and sometimes considered sacred. In Nara, Japan, wild sika deer roam freely and are seen as messengers of the gods. While not always a direct "omen," their presence is generally viewed positively and associated with the sacredness of the land.

European Folklore: In various European folk traditions, deer can symbolize gentleness, swiftness, and connection to nature. While not always a specific "good omen," their appearance often carried positive connotations related to the health of the forest and the balance of nature.

Healthier

 UCLA Health: Want to live longer? 8 blue zone lessons for a healthier life

Older

"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come." William Shakespeare

"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes." Frank Lloyd Wright

'Grifter'

Venom

 Discover: Rattlesnake Venom Evolves and Adapts to Climate Change - Learn more about how shifting biodiversity has resulted in a surprising evolutionary change for rattlesnake venom. By Stephanie Edwards

Black And White

The fundamental difference in skin color between black people and white people is primarily due to the amount and type of melanin produced by specialized cells called melanocytes in the skin.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Melanin is the primary pigment responsible for skin color. Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes, but the amount and type of melanin they produce vary significantly.
  Types of Melanin: There are two main types of melanin:
    Eumelanin: This type of melanin produces brown and black hues. People with darker skin have melanocytes that produce more eumelanin.
    Pheomelanin: This type of melanin produces reddish-yellow hues and is found in higher concentrations in people with lighter skin, as well as in areas like lips and nipples. Red hair is also due to a higher amount of pheomelanin.
   Quantity and Distribution: In individuals with darker skin, melanocytes produce more melanin, and the melanosomes (organelles that store and transport melanin) are larger and more numerous. This melanin is also distributed more individually throughout the skin cells. In contrast, individuals with lighter skin produce less melanin, and the melanosomes tend to be smaller and clustered together.

Ratio of Eumelanin to Pheomelanin: The specific ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin also plays a crucial role in determining the exact shade of skin color. People with darker skin have a higher ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin.

Therefore, while genetics determines the capacity of melanocytes to produce melanin, the amount and the specific types of melanin produced are the key factors leading to the wide range of human skin colors, including the differences observed between black and white people.

The Black Melanin-Rich Fungi Found In Chernobyl That Eats Radioactive Energy

There is a fascinating black fungus that has been found in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone with the apparent ability to consume radiation. Here's what we know about it: 

The Fungus:

The most well-known species is Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a dark, melanin-rich fungus. Other melanized fungi have also been found in the highly radioactive environment.
These fungi were discovered thriving on the walls of the damaged Chernobyl Reactor No. 4 and in the highly radioactive cooling water.
They exhibit radiotropism, meaning their hyphae (the thread-like filaments that make up the fungus) grow towards sources of radiation.

"Eating" Radiation:

These fungi contain high amounts of melanin, the same pigment that gives our skin its color.
Scientists hypothesize that melanin plays a key role in a process called radiosynthesis, where the fungi may be able to convert ionizing radiation into chemical energy for growth, similar to how plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
Exposure to radiation has been shown to alter the chemical properties of melanin in these fungi, increasing their metabolic activity.
Studies have shown that these fungi grow faster and accumulate more biomass in the presence of radiation compared to environments with background radiation levels.

Potential Applications:

Bioremediation: The ability of these fungi to metabolize radiation suggests potential applications in cleaning up radioactive waste sites. While they don't eliminate the radioactive material itself, they absorb the emitted radiation.
Radiation Shielding: Researchers are investigating the use of melanin extracted from these fungi as a potential radiation shield for astronauts in space, where they are exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation. Experiments on the International Space Station have shown that a layer of this fungus can block a significant percentage of space radiation.
Energy Source: There are more speculative ideas about potentially harnessing the energy conversion process of these fungi for new renewable energy sources or biomaterials in environments with limited sunlight.

Important Considerations:

While the term "eating" radiation is often used, the exact biological mechanisms of radiosynthesis are still being researched and are not fully understood. It's not the radioactive material itself being consumed, but rather the energy from the radiation.
These fungi do not eliminate the radioactive isotopes, which will continue to decay over time.

In summary, the black, melanin-rich fungi found in Chernobyl, particularly Cladosporium sphaerospermum, have a unique ability to thrive in highly radioactive environments and may even utilize the radiation for energy. This discovery has significant implications for various fields, from environmental cleanup to space exploration.

Always

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." Oscar Wilde

'Moth' By JS

 'Moth' circa 2015 house paint on paper, approximately 18 inches by 18 inches. I'm thinking of using this one for music artwork.

 

Finally

I want this and yes you can buy it for my birthday.

 The Verge: The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen - Is the market ready for a four-wheeled digital detox? by Tim Stevens

Environment

"We need to promote development that does not destroy our environment. And we need to conserve and protect our environment while promoting development. These are not two separate agendas." 

Wangari Maathai, Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel laureate.

'Reflection'

Cover art for my upcoming May 2nd solo piano release. 

Composition

'Composition' 1916 by Piet Mondrian 1872-1944

 

Trunk

A baby elephant will suck its trunk similar to the way a baby will suck its thumb. Here are four reasons why baby elephants do this.

1. Behavioral Parallel: It's a behavior often compared to human babies sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers. It serves as a source of self-soothing.

2. Emotional Regulation: This action helps young elephants cope with stress, anxiety, or unfamiliar situations. It provides a sense of security.

3. Sensory Comfort: The trunk is a highly sensitive organ with numerous nerve endings. Sucking it likely provides a comforting tactile sensation.

4. Temporary Phase: While common in infancy, most elephants grow out of this behavior as they mature and develop other coping mechanisms and social bonds. 

Click here for photo examples

Kites

Carl Spitzweg 1880-1885 'Flying Kites'

Nice shape for a canvas. 

Oregano Oil

"Oregano oil, when used as a mouthwash, offers potential benefits like combating bad breath and promoting oral hygiene due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath and gum disease, while also potentially relieving sore throats"

I use it, just a couple of drops in a small amount of water. Don't use it straight out of the bottle undilluted, it's very intense.

Happiness

"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." Dalai Lama

Perks

 

'Etched In Water Blues'

Hope

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

Mastiffs

Edwin Henry Landseer 1802-1873, 'Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler'

 

'Rabbit' By JS

2018 - 2 feet by 2 feet acrylic paint on wooden panels

 

Embracing Our Responsibility To Nature With Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Belief Versus Conviction

 

'Framboise'

Yours truly playing an instrumental song I wrote, on a Cordoba FCWE guitar.

Fight

 Get Pocket: Stop Drinking, Keep Reading, Look After Your Hearing: A Neurologist’s Tips for Fighting Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s - When does forgetfulness become something more serious? And how can we delay or even prevent that change? We talk to brain expert Richard Restak. by Gaby Hinsliff

Camus

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Gandhi

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

Boston Dynamics - Atlas

Whoa! Just imagine where robots and AI land just in ten or twenty years.

All

"The most exquisite paradox; as soon as you give it all up, you can have it all." Ram Dass

Gourmand

gourmand - noun
  1. A lover of good food.
  2. A person who often eats too much.
  3. A greedy or ravenous eater; a glutton.

A Truly Dumb Joke

 There was a woman who realized it was time to declutter her home. Things were getting out of hand and she had far more possessions than what she needed. She chose to use an ancient Japanese technique, where you hold each object you possess, and if it doesn’t cause you a feeling of joy, you get rid of it.

 After going through her possessions and using this technique, the woman got rid of her vegetables, her phone bill, her brassiere, and her scale…

Audrey

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." Audrey Hepburn

Mae

"Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I’m tired." Mae West

'Horses'

 Jesse Welles live on tv - you just know this young man is destined for a deep long ride through generations. He'll reach as many people as any musician ever has. He is the new Bob Dylan for people in their 30s, 20s, teens, and the not yet born.

Posture

Excellent exercises for good posture

Get Pocket: How To Get Rid Of Dowager’s Hump, According To Physical Therapists. Fix your neck once and for all. by Carolyn Steber

Creative

"A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life" Elizabeth Gilbert

Blanche

 Artwork by Blanche Hoschedé-Monet 1865-1947. Blanche was Claude Monet's step daughter.

 

Dealing

I asked Google's AI Gemini for strategies when dealing with narcissists. 

Dealing with a narcissist can be challenging, and there's no single "disarming" technique that works in every situation. However, the following strategies can help minimize conflict and protect your well-being:

Key Strategies:

  Grey Rock Method:
   This involves becoming as uninteresting as possible. You respond with brief, unemotional answers, like a "grey rock."
   The goal is to deprive them of the emotional reactions they crave.
   Example: If they try to provoke you with criticism, respond with a simple "Okay" or "Perhaps."
  Setting Firm Boundaries:
   Clearly define what behavior you will and will not tolerate.
   Be prepared to enforce those boundaries consistently.
   Example: "If you continue to speak to me in that tone, I will end this conversation."
  BIFF Responses:
   When communication is necessary, use BIFF:
    Brief: Keep your responses short.
    Informative: Stick to the facts.
    Formal: Maintain a professional tone.
    Firm: Be clear and unwavering.
  Avoid Emotional Engagement:
   Narcissists thrive on emotional reactions.
   Try to remain calm and composed, even when they're trying to provoke you.
   Don't take their words personally; their behavior is about them, not you.
  Limited Information:
   Don't share personal details or vulnerabilities.
   The less information you provide, the less they can use against you.
  Focus on Facts, Not Feelings:
   When discussing issues, stick to objective facts and avoid emotional arguments.
   This makes it harder for them to manipulate the conversation.
  Recognizing their need for validation:
   Sometimes, giving very small amounts of validation, can deescalate a situation. For example, saying "I understand your perspective" can be helpful. But, be very careful to not give them large amounts of validation, because that fuels their narcissistic behaviors.

Important Considerations:

  Prioritize Your Safety: If you feel threatened or unsafe, seek help from a trusted friend, family member, or professional.
  Professional Help: If you're dealing with a narcissist in a close relationship, consider seeking therapy or counseling.
  Understanding Narcissistic Behavior: Gaining knowledge about narcissistic personality disorder can help you better understand their behavior and develop coping strategies.

It's important to remember that dealing with a narcissist can be emotionally draining. Prioritizing your own well-being is essential.

'Heartbeat'

Some of my ambient music work

'Transparent Bunny' By JS

2015 - 30 inches by 42 inches acrylic paint on paper

 

'Black Hole Sun'

Jennah Bell sings Soundgarden

Dysphoria - Euphoria

dysphoria - noun
  a state of feeling very unhappy, uneasy, or dissatisfied

euphoria - noun
  a feeling of well-being or elation

'Untitled' By JS

2019 - 8 inches by 10 inches pencil on paper 

 

NASS - Harlem, New York 1930s

'Warped Window'

Anna Mieke

Random Photos

 

'Heart Shaped Box'

 Jesse Welles - who is destined for stardom.

Greatest

 "The greatest cause of evil included in the sum total of human ills is surely fanaticism. Of all the passions, it is the most brutalizing. Inspired by a monstrous self-conceit, it tramples underfoot without remorse or hesitation the most sacred laws of humanity." William Ellery Lecky

All Things

 "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something not to be poisonous." Paracelsus

Injury

 "Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears." Marcus Aurelius

Mammals

 "Cows, pigs, sheep, and other animals we eat account for 60 percent of all the mammals on Earth by weight, about a hundred million tons. We humans make up 36 percent, or sixty million tons. And the total biomass of wild mammals? Just seven million tons, or 4 percent."

  "Our species has hunted out about 85 percent of all wild mammals since we took over the African savannas and migrated around the world."

  "…wild mammals are little more than a rounding error." Joe Roman

'He' By JS

He spent eons motionless,
Lazing on grasses, gazing aimlessly,
His illusory mind wondering through the illusory sky.
His thoughts dissolved into the clouds that roamed the blue,
They were yaks dispersing, wild on a vast plain.

An arson,
He set fires everywhere,
They burned throughout the entire universe.
And the universe glowed,
A furnace of possibilities.

He suffered with every known pain,
Then he suffered through complexities
Of pain upon pain upon pain.
Every inch of his body affected with a variety of pain.
Yet, he guarded the path to sadness.

His confusion, unlimited,
Greater than the size of the multiverse, unimaginable.
Ignorant, an imbecile.
His stupidity amplified
By the reverberations of cowards and fools.

He never moved, he was static,
Frozen in a catatonic state,
Withdrawn from an imperfect reality
That he perceived as terrifying
And impossible.

He befriended vultures, who did his bidding.
They swooped in to devour everything.
Anything of value was taken
And never returned.

He loved everyone and despised it when he didn’t.
He made a practice of contemplating a universal love.
Then he found peace.
Then he perished while rainbows appeared deep in water,
Reaching out for miles
And fading away over centuries.

Succinct

 Compassion - Recognizing another's suffering and wanting to alleviate it. 

 Empathy -Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

 Loving-kindness - A wish for happiness for oneself and others.

Yellowstone

 "In 2070, Yellowstone (National Park) is expected to be five or six degrees warmer than it was in 2000, and it will be up to ten degrees higher by the end of the century. Some of Yellowstone's animals will adapt, others will move on, and still others might disappear entirely." Joe Roman

The Thecosomata Or Sea Butterfly

 

'Untitled' By JS

 2016. 2 feet by 4 feet, acrylic paint on paper 

 

'Chat Pitre'

 Richard Galliano and Sébastien Surel

Plant

 Plant cells under a microscope.

 

'Kaya'

Congo

 "Congo - 1954-1964 - was a chimpanzee artist and painter. Zoologist, author and surrealist painter Desmond Morris first observed his abilities when the chimpanzee was offered a pencil and paper at two years of age. By the age of four, Congo had made 400 drawings and paintings" - Wikipedia. 

Artwork by Congo 

 

PBS - Pufferfish Builds Sand Sculpture For Mating

Salinity

salinity - noun
  1. salineness - The quality of being saline.
  2. The concentration of salt in a solution.

'Untitled' By JS

 New work 2025. It's a little larger than 2 feet by 3 feet, acrylic paint on canvas. 

 

Apophatic

apophatic - adjective
  1. of or relating to apophasis : involving the practice of describing something by stating which characteristics it does not have

Slang

Today's slang

Snailing - Slow moving - e.g. Walking, driving, wifi, internet, moving exceptionally slowly

Ethanethiol

 "The smell of death is largely the chemical ethanethiol. Humans are so sensitive to this sulfur compound that we can detect it at one molecule in a billion. It's added to propane to alert you that the gas is on and keep you from striking a match...the smell appeals to vultures, flies, and other scavengers. Ethanethiol and other volatile odorants are so attractive that some flowers, such as dead horse arum, use them to entice blowflies into pollinating them." - Joe Roman

Dead Horse Arum 

Feel

Proceed at your own risk!

Artspace: NSFW! 10 Erotic Artworks That Will Make You Feel Like A Prude By Artspace Editors

Guardian UK: The top 10 sexiest works of art ever - This article is more than 11 years old From Egon Schiele to Titian and Robert Mapplethorpe, these artists have celebrated erotic pleasure in unique and thought-provoking ways  

Meret Oppenheim. 'Object'. Paris, 1936

 

'Untitled' By JS

2 feet by 3 feet, acrylic paint on paper 2015 

 

'Chicken' By JS

2 feet by 3 feet, acrylic paint on paper 2015

Tinnitus

I asked AI Gemini if poor posture can contribute to tinnitus. Here is Gemini's response:

Yes, poor posture can be a contributing factor to tinnitus, particularly a type known as cervical tinnitus. Here's a breakdown:

  Cervical Tinnitus:
   This type of tinnitus is linked to musculoskeletal issues in the neck, specifically the cervical spine.
   Poor posture can create tension in the neck muscles, leading to problems in this area.
   This tension can affect the nerves and blood vessels that connect to the auditory system, potentially triggering or worsening tinnitus.

  How Poor Posture Contributes:
   Muscle Tension: Slouching or hunching over can strain neck and shoulder muscles.
   Nerve Compression: This muscle tension can compress nerves, disrupting signals to the brain, including those related to hearing.
   Blood Flow: Poor posture can also restrict blood flow to the inner ear, which might exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
   TMJ Issues: Poor posture can also contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.7 The TMJ is located very close to the ears, and problems with this joint can also cause tinnitus.

  Key Points:
   While poor posture isn't always the sole cause of tinnitus, it can be a significant contributing factor, especially in cervical tinnitus.
   Maintaining good posture and performing neck exercises may help alleviate tinnitus symptoms in some individuals.
   It's important to note that tinnitus can have various causes, and if you're experiencing it, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.