“Stimulate Me” 

I feel that a lot of people in our society, especially in my generation, settle for less when it comes to their brain power.  I am referring to my peers’ innate love for technology: television, internet and video games.   

If you were privileged enough, you grew up with it.  It’s embedded in the functional thinking of your brain.  You understand computer processes better than you understand some people (sad but true).  So are our social and analytic thinking skills shot to hell?  No.  But apparently our preceding generations believe so.  

From what I’ve been observing, our parents’ generation thinks we are a bunch of spoiled, lazy technology junkies.  We like things so beyond their comprehension that they have either completely written us off or actually fear us.

Now when you’re watching television or browsing the internet, you can be looking at anything.  ANYTHING.  That fact alone is so powerful.  Anything you seek information on you can find… instantly.  

So why settle for mindless shit?  Our brains can absorb an INCREDIBLE amount of knowledge and detail… so why waste it on sitcoms, reality television and silly or violent games?  I understand why people value these things… they offer an escape from your life’s stresses.  They help you numb your mind from the terrible things in this world and let you play out someone else’s world.  

While I understand this, I have come to realize that a lot of the readily available, mainstream programming just isn’t enough for me.  Celebrities and reality television stars are not the kind of people that I want to watch or revere.  They are not proud symbols of my country. They are not people I want to learn more about. Granted, some of these people may do good things in this world, but their idolatrous fame and usually frivolous lifestyles are not ideal for me.  

I need to be stimulated.  I need my passion to come alive.  I need something engaging, not numbing.

In my unemployed journey thus far I have learned this and a few other things:

- Everything is a learning opportunity.

- Everyone is a learning opportunity. 

- Judging another person’s life while they are still living it is a ridiculous waste of time and energy.  There is no reason for me to apply my personal values to someone else’s life journey.   There is no way for me to know what their path will lead them to and no reason for my judgement to negatively affect that path.

- Trusting in myself and my abilities will lead me to opportunities.  It is up to me to apply my energy to create more opportunities.  

- Every conversation has a purpose.  Listen with an open heart.

- Harnessing my resources towards my dreams allows me to make them a reality.

As an artist I am able to learn and express myself through various mediums. As an artist I have decided to dedicate any future studies to a new medium in my life: Artistic Expression via Life… Plant Life.  I’ve decided that if I can choose to make art out of anything, anything in this whole world, it has to be plants.

Through plants and natural materials I want to express my societal points of view, the celebrations and progress of our human race through an immediate, hands-on connection with nature.  This is where any of my future educational endeavors will be driving toward.

I have found one program at OTIS School of Design in LA that I’m really digging (pun 100% intended).  It is a Public Practices MFA with an emphasis in Landscape Design.  I’m still looking around, but so far this is the best match.

(Source: makeblognotwar)