One of my dream ideas is launching today! Today!
For maybe the past three years, whenever I sat down to write what my heart really wanted, I found myself writing about a place where adults come to play, using theater, visual art, storytelling, and movement to impact a personal or professional challenge or opportunity. The result of that dream writing now has a name, it is called The Art of Illumination.
Happy New Year! It is a year full of surprises and wondrous moments. Let us throw the doors open and welcome all the great opportunities we have to share, to give, and to collaborate, to exchange joy and love in all it's wondrous forms.
"Each of us has much more hidden inside us than we have had a chance to explore. Unless we create an environment that enables us to discover the limits of our potential, we will never know what we have inside of us." --Muhammad Yunus
Pursuing a Dream
As I began trying to create a new performance this year, every time I sat down to write, I would often reveal the same idea: about a place where individuals could go and tackle real-life personal and professional challenges using arts-based processes like writing, painting, performing, and movement.
This idea has taken more shape. Towards this dream, I have created a new five-piece performance (total time: 75 minutes) called Second Sight, about finding what is common with others amidst the differences. Each piece is being launched in a 5-part event called The Art of Illumination with the City of Olympia from January 17- February 28. After that, both will be scheduled for the public and interested organizations.
To know when and where the shows and events will be, stay connected (see below).
A Luminary in the Discovery DVD series!
This last year I was invited to share my story and advice as a luminary on the Discovery DVD series by LifePathUnlimited.com. The opportunity to share "the screen" with 14 other courageous and open-hearted individuals was a huge gift. Life Path Unlimited has created an amaaaaazing spectrum of products and supporting experiences designed to take people beyond the popular DVD called "The Secret."
To get notices and stories about LifePathUnlimited, stay connected (see below).
An Explosion of New Work and Social Consciousness
As I entered 2007, I personalized an art technique of painting on the floor that I had learned in late 2006. What resulted in the following months was an explosion of paintings. For the first time, my art inspired me. Pursuing that feeling again and again with every canvas has resulted in a body of work ready for galleries, cafes, and a forthcoming book.
As so many social issues wrested with my conscience this year, you can check out the post on my website's home page to find out where the proceeds of Mark's paintings go.
See my paintings by going to the Products and Events page listed on the left side of my website, and stay connected (see below).
Stay Connected
To stay connected to my work and the opportunities it may bring to you for your personal and/or professional life, please consider subscribing: find the title Mailing List in the right column. Click on subscribe and type in your email address. You can unsubscribe anytime you want.
It is incomprehensible that we have war. It is such a difficult concept for me to grasp. It is even more incomprehensible to me that a child could be a soldier. War is not a playfield. It is not where any child should learn about life.
To learn more about the reality of this situation, watch this video, then please act by writing to your Senator or Representative.
In Products and Events you'll see the body of paintings that I've been working on for the past year. As a result of some very moving experiences that I'm having, as a buyer, you have the option of donating 50% of the proceeds from these paintings to an important social cause. (Please note that before December 9, 2007 that I originally wanted to donate 100% of the proceeds. I have changed from 100% to 50% because of some valuable advice that I received.) Some of the causes that I recommend considering are listed below. If you are interested in any of the paintings, please contact mark@pathscrossing.com.
1) To help raise awareness of the water crisis, as I experienced in the movie "Running Dry." The purchase of my painting will go towards the organization Running Dry to The Chronicles Group to provide sustainable water to millions of global families. You see, in the movie, I learned about the startling fact that one child dies every 15 seconds from a water infectious disease. In addition, I learned how so many countries, including the U.S. are impacted by the lack of clean water. (posted 10/29/07)
2) To help promote peace, as I experienced by helping to setup the "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit at the October 27 march and rally to end the war. The purchase of my painting will go towards an emerging organization that will promote the travel of this exhibit within the state of Washington. On Saturday, October 27, I volunteered to set-up the exhibit, almost 200 shoes of soldiers in Oregon and Washington who had lost their lives. The names, photos, and letters that were attached to each pair of boots moved me and so many hundreds of others to feel the loss. The exhibit reaches our hearts in ways that the news and media are unable. If you are from outside the state of Washington, the purchase of my painting could also go towards your state's American Friends Service Committee to bring it to your state. (posted 10/27/07)
3) To raise awareness of the Deep Hope Institute's mission and agenda to renew and attract individuals to the call of social activism. This is an organization that I am personally involved in with Bill Grace, former Executive Director of the Center for Ethical Leadership. The Institute currently promotes a Fellowship program (a series of four, three-day events, of immersion and discovery that bridge leadership, spirituality and community), a social action think tank (specifically focused social activism effort), and a sojourn (cultural immersion that seeks wisdom at the margins). (posted 10/27/07)
I have been blurring my roles as a visual artist, writer, performer and speaker, consultant, advisor, and coach, exploring the application of arts-based processes to business. Over the years, I have developed what my friend, David Barry, calls “the art mind.” It is a way of thinking -- not just only looking at what is at face value, but also taking unexpected and curious detours, paths that an artist has learned to trust, knowing that each step is part of an unfolding process. It is an approach that delivers results that often exceed initial expectations.
Explore my interviews with leaders, teachers of the arts, writers, performers, musicians, movement artists, and visual artists. Each, in their own way share their story about how the arts benefit their day jobs in non-profits, government, and the private sector.
I believe that the business environment is always looking for individuals who are willing to take risks to create new value propositions, to see beyond the status quo, to tap into the powers of their imagination, to apply their discovery processes to situations that are seeking something more.
In Spring 2008, I am launching WorkPlay: The Art of Illumination, a 5 part event for individuals and teams to play with storytelling, visual arts, zen calligraphy, movement, and ensemble with respect to a real business or personal challenge - learning to trust their own creative impulses. WorkPlay is not about becoming an artist, it’s more about exploring ways to appreciate both the process and the outcome. For more information, subscribe to my newsletter or send me your email address to receive announcements about my upcoming events.
Continue reading "art and business interviews: launching WorkPlay" »
My context is expanding, though my intent is the same -- discovering and taking steps about what matters.
The times we live in require the courage, wisdom and freedom born of Spirit.
I invite you to join me at the inaugural program of the Deep Hope Institute with Bill Grace, Founder and Former Executive Director with the Center for Ethical Leadership.
The Deep Hope Institute focuses on the Spiritual renewal of leaders and social change agents for greater and more powerful service in the world.
The purpose of Deep Hope is spiritual transformation. We open our hearts so that Spirit can transform us and in doing so we become more deeply equipped to engage the powers, structures and systems of the world with vision, confidence, and compassion as we seek to co-create a more loving, just, and sustainable society.
To read more about Bill ...
Continue reading "Deep Hope Institute - Pursuing What Matters" »
Vision is a process that requires time and experience to own and understand. A leader’s vision for a team is the result of days and months of activity and contemplation. Through conversation and thought, they finally arrive at an idea that receives sponsorship for the commitment of budget, people and time. The leader distills all of this in to a presentation, to communicate with enthusiasm and intention about the opportunity. If a leader took time to get to that vision, why wouldn’t we expect team members to also need time, too?
The immediate answer is time. There isn’t enough time to let everyone process and arrive on the same page. So, the leader forges ahead and kicks-off the team with the vision, mission, and objectives – the reading of bullet points in a presentation. Invisible to the leader, there are murmurings that the individuals don’t understand the vision -- what they are doing and why they are doing it. Visible to the leader is that some individuals still don’t get the vision – they don’t have the knowledge about how their work affects another, or they are affected by another’s work.
What efficient ways can help a team to envision a version of the leader’s idea with passion and commitment?
Here are a few ideas from my experience with a Fortune 50 team’s effort that created and implemented a software product for managers to learn informally (not in the classroom) from each other:
My first run! Wow! It was so great. When I decided to do four shows last year, I had no idea what I was really in for. I only knew that I loved sharing my story and connecting with the people who it mattered to. Little did I know what would happen.
I got to see my posters around the city. I'd walk into a coffee shop, or walk by a window of posters, and I'd glance to see if I was there. And, I was! I had to chuckle. Hey, that's me. I didn't want to be too obvious, standing and staring at myself, so I would just keep walking.
I had an opportunity to put into practice what I had been learning through my Voice for Actors class being taught by Gin Hammond, whose performance last year of Syringa Tree inspired me to go deeper with my characters.
I experienced the feeling of opening night. All the wondering about how many would come, and to accept that whoever was there was good enough.
I learned what it is like to loose an entire section of text, and to find a way from within myself to move right through it, to not get caught up in the judgements. An audience member commented later that night in the talk back, that they learned something from that moment.
I had my first critic review, which wasn't glowing, by the way. But, it taught me about who my audience is. I know more than ever before, that I do my show for the people who talk to me afterwords and for the ones who are inspired and send me an email. Sure, I can always improve my craft, and I will. Next time, when I invite the press, I'll make sure to let them know that I do this to inspire and give courage.
I had my first interview for a story and more importantly, had the story released on the front page of the Northwest Times section in the Seattle Times. Wow! As soon as the story broke, emails began flying in to my inbox at 7am and my phone started ringing. I couldn't believe it. When I read the article, I just said Wow. Then, when I got the paper, and saw that the article was really big, I just said Wow.
I shared the stage with two great people in my life. Jan, my partner, and Patrick Combs, who has been part of the inspiration for doing a solo performance. In the talk backs on two nights, audience members leaned forward, laughed, and nodded their heads as the three of us wove our stories and ideas about individual expression, confidence, vision, and fear.
I had my best show ever on the last night. The audience was amaaaaaaaaaazing!!! They really brought something to the theater that had me bringing my best performance to the stage. I felt the characters more deeply, I felt myself communicating with more depth on words.
I got an invitation to do my show in Denmark and to meet others in Copenhagen who are at the intersection of art, business, and innovation.
I had a chance to guide 15 people who attended my workshop, The Pursuit of Possibilities, in to finding new, unexpected visions for themselves, based on the ideas in my show.
Wow, huh? This week goes down as one of the top five in my entire life! Every small step that I've taken has led me to this moment for myself. I'm happier than I used to be. I know where I want to contribute. I'm grateful for every person and event that has brought me this far, especially to Jan Stary, my partner, who has supported me as I've explored this adventure and Marya Sea Kaminski who has been more than an acting coach and Director over this last year. I look forward to even more possibilities and opportunities.
November 16, Unimaginable!
I just did my show last night for my VP and her Directors and Managers in the training organization where I work. Going in to the show, I had my reservations. I was putting my life out there for everyone to see a part of me that they might usually not. I am so grateful to my VP for giving me the opportunity. It was an expression of trust that I am privileged to have. To not have seen my show in person, and to give me an invitation to present it to her larger leadership team, what an honor.
So, how did the show go? Well, let me first say that it was at the new Future of Flight museum in Mukilteo, Washington, right on the border of the air field where Boeing produces the 747, 757, 767, 777, and the new airplane, the 787. I think's it's in Guiness as the largest building in the world. Being there at the Future of Flight had it's own excitement. As a metaphor, for me, it really captured how I'm looking towards the future of my show and keynotes. Even if the facilitty wasn't entirely finished, it opens on December 15, provided a great context for a career in transition -- having a main structure, framework and architecture completed and working on the finishing touches, just like me. I've got the content and the form, I'm just working the details on the performance.
The show? Wow! My first standing ovation. I couldn't believe it! So many came up to me afterwords and thanked me. It was a bit overwhelming to receive so much. But, it's also the only reason why I do it, because when they come up, I feel like I've reached them in some way that meant something. I know that moments like that can be part of something much bigger.
One person in the audience, had a direct experience with one of the artifacts (don't want to give it away). Afterwords, he shared with me that the words and the artifact happened for a reason with him.
There were so many others who were so gracious with their encouragement and words of appreciation.
I even got another invitation to do the performance for one of the Manager's upcoming off-site next month. Can't wait! Another performance and another chance to be part of their story, it doesn't get any better than this.
