Month: June 2012
“How to be perfect” by Ron Padgett
get some sleep
eat an orange every morning
be friendly it will help make you happy
hope for everything…expect nothing
take care of things close to home first
straighten up your room before you save the world
then, save the world
be nice to people before they have the chance to behave badly
wear comfortable shoes
do not spend too much time with large groups of people
plan your day so you never have to rush
show your appreciation to people who do things for you
even if you have paid them…even if they do favors you don’t want
after dinner wash the dishes
calm down
don’t expect your children to love you so they can if they want to
don’t be too self critical or too self congratulatory
don’t think that progress exists…it doesn’t
imagine what you would like to see happen
and then don’t do anything to make it impossible
forgive your country every once in a while
if that is not possible…go to another one
if you feel tired…rest
don’t be depressed about growing older
it will make you feel even older which is depressing
if you burn your finger put ice on it immediately
if you bang your finger with a hammer hold your hand in the air for twenty minutes
you’ll be surprised by the curative powers of ice and gravity
do not inhale smoke…take a deep breath
do not smart off to a policeman
be good
be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others
do not go crazy a lot its a waste of time
drink plenty of water…when asked what you would like to drink say “water please”
take out the trash
love life
use exact change
when there’s shooting in the street don’t go near the window
“Guernica” by Pablo Picasso.
Guernica was created in response to the bombing of Guernica, Basque Country, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces, on 26 April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government commissioned Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Paris International Exposition at the 1937 World’s Fair in Paris.
Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world’s attention.
While living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, Picasso suffered harassment from the Gestapo. One officer allegedly asked him, upon seeing a photo of Guernica in his apartment, “Did you do that?” Picasso responded, “No, you did.” (read more)
There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
…Albert Einstein…