Really like this portrait Anna Lee made of me in the place where I first learned to do what do. I spent hours upon hours in this room, learning about the photographic image, and learning about myself. Reflecting on the reflections myself and my classmates made of the world around us. Searching to find our voices, we started out like infants, with just a hint of discernible sounds coming from our mouths. Slowly, words formed, then sentences, then entire thoughts were able to be expressed. I did not understand the sheer power of art and the way it can move, speak and affect until I entered this space. Now it sits vacant, and will eventually be torn down. Sad days, but looking back does bring a smile to my face.
“You must not reduce yourself to a puddle just because the person you like is afraid to swim and you are a fierce sea to them; because there will be someone who was born with love of the waves within their blood, and they will look at you with fear and respect.”
Empathy is the highest level of human interaction and understanding. Lay down the ego, bask only in love. Shut the eyes, see only the soul. Open the mind, let only peace dwell here. Let kindness be the guide, let empathy be the way.
