Keep Searching.
Some days
we have to
look a lot
harder
to find
the beauty.
But it
is there.
Keep
searching.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS. I watched a documentary yesterday that touched me deeply – Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405. It was recommended by an art blogger friend, Ann Christina, from Germany. It also won an Academy Award this year for Best Documentary Short Subject. It is a story of mental illness, depression, love, and the healing power of art.
Mindy Alper is a tortured and brilliant 56 year old artist who is represented by one of Los Angeles’ top galleries. Acute anxiety, mental disorder and devastating depression have caused her to be committed to mental institutions, undergo electro shock therapy, and survive a 10-year period without the ability to speak. Her hyper self-awareness has allowed her to produce a lifelong body of work that expresses her emotional state with powerful psychological precision. Through interviews, reenactments, the building of an eight and a half foot papier-mache’ bust of her beloved psychiatrist, and examining drawings made from the time she was a child, we learn how she has emerged from darkness and isolation to a life that includes love, trust and support.
I watched this on YouTube and originally shared the link, but then found that it was removed from YouTube for a copyright infringement. I hope you have a chance to find and see this touching film. If anyone can let us know via comment where it is available to view, I would appreciate.
The link didn’t work for me but I will look for it…thanks Jodi. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for letting me know Kerfe – It was on youtube, but removed (rightfully so) for copyright infringement (which I did not realize at time of watching or posting). I cannot find it on Netflix or Amazon, but hope someone is able to find. It is so worth watching, and I would absolutely pay to watch it too. It is only 40 minutes long – but oh so powerful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The link isn’t working, but I will look for it. THank you Jodi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for letting me know, Colleen. Seems it was a copyright infringement on YouTube, so rightfully removed. I hope we can figure our where people are able to view it. Does not appear to be on Netflix or Amazon yet, which are my normal go tos.
LikeLike
Those were the go to’s I went to. I can find trailers and Oscar videos but not the video…yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
me too 😦
LikeLike
Sounds like such a powerful story! Thanks for sharing it. Hopefully there will be a way to watch it coming.
Love your poem too, it’s so true. Have a lovely day keeping your eyes open my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope we do too – it is so worth watching. Thanks so much C!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for mentioning me, Jodi! I hope you will find the film somewhere! Here in Germany the link was also removed, which is actually completely okay – just a little sad. But I found a trailer of it which provides at least a little impression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8IedHc7txs
Love your poem!
Hugs from Germany! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Jodi,
I agree. There is beauty in everything if you take the time to search within.outward appearances might not always reveal the inner beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so true!
LikeLike
Lovely, Jodi. And so true. You are an inspiration. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that means so much to me Teagan – especially today – thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem and picture tell us sometimes we need to look harder to discover the beauty that is al around us. Thank you, Jodi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – and I am needing to look hard today. Thanks for your note.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds so powerful!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get to see this short film Lynn. I just know you will be deeply moved by it. I just know it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jodi
LikeLike
I would like to watch it too. I will try and find the link. Thanks for telling us about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really think you will be moved by it PJ
LikeLike
I think I will be moved by it too.
LikeLike
Meaningful words today, thank you Jodi. I also watched the documentary about Mindy. I was so moved by her courage. I only live 30 minutes from the 405 freeway. the traffic jams will have a new meaning for me now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t get her out of my mind….
LikeLike
I am just covered in goosebumps when I heard this woman’s story, Jodi. Some of the best art comes from the pain that is deep within. I am so touched by this story!! And your image …. just loved it! Yes sometimes we do have to seek deeply to find beauty but when we do it is SO worth it! I really would like to watch this documentary. I’m writing it down!!! Much Love to you! ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure hope you get to see it Amy. I know you will be extremely touched by it. Thank you for the love. I’m needing it today. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw. (((HUGS)))! 💖💖💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely poem and image Jodi….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Watched the trailer, Jodi. Even that was powerful! Got the meaning of the title when I saw her driving a car on the 405. Great success for her to do that! Hope the documentary link surfaces! 🌹 Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too – it is just so amazing! Thanks Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very powerful Jodi…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jenna!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this today, Jodi – I will look for it. Your photo and poem are such good reminders that when we look beyond the ordinary, we can see the extraordinary! 🦋💕🌈🌷
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed! Thank you Jill!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have a response for this…. Touching… Your poem searching….. I would like to share this u tube video my sister-inlaw found… It will heal your soul, amaze your photography appreciation, the poetry is beautiful, and sounds and words will replay in your head for awhile. This one is beatiful to experience. https://youtu.be/-Kw4RZVvfEU By Jacob Crull
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – so beautiful – so powerful – thank you Dena! ❤
LikeLike
I love the photo of the snow covered seed pods and it brought to mind this Indian Proverb : “All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” We never fail to see beauty in a flower, but miss it in the seeds. Seeds, however small, contain so much hope and promise for the future. Just maybe, that is what we should keep searching for…the seeds of hope. Beautiful photo and thoughts. Thank-you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This message really resonated with me today. Thank you for this beautiful comment Ellen! I appreciate it and you greatly.
LikeLike
I’m not sure why so many intelligent and creative people also suffer from depression or some other form of mental illness, but so often, they do. How wonderful that art can also be a means of coping with that and with expressing it in a way that others can understand! I would love to see that documentary, and I’ll look for it.
I believe you are right: some days, we can’t see the beauty. And those are the days that we have to simply trust it is there, and that the time will come when we can see it again. Because if we can just hang in there, that time does come.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – it is quite a phenomenon, but I’m grateful for this outlet for those that suffer. It is heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at once. A lot going on around here lately, some great stuff, some not so great, but I am clinging to searching for the beauty and the good – even when it is hard. Hope you are doing well and enjoying grandmahood! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am, Jodi! And I hope that the coming days bring you many, many beautiful and good things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Ann! There have been some really good things and some not so good things, but the really good and beautiful things are the important things like family – so for that I am tremendously grateful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Benjamin was looking and looking through my inbox today. “Gem, I can’t find My Jodi! Please find her.” I have explained your no post days to him every week, and every week I explain it again without success. I came up with what I thought to be a brilliant solution…revisit past posts! This clever boy discovered my attempted duplicity rather quickly. “I saw this yesterday” which is Benjamin speak for any day other than today. Benjamin decided to send a “Hello”, place a kiss on your photo and then revisit the “cookies from yesterday.” See you Monday x 2!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my heart!!!! My sweet little Benjamin. This just melts my heart! Oh Ellen – you sure know how to make me feel loved! THANK YOU! It’s a busy weekend here. Our oldest son and my daughter-in-law(love) and our granddaughter (and a baby on the way <3) are moving into their new home. They have been staying with us for 2 weeks – and I am loving every moment. Their house sold quickly and there was a bit of time between closings. So grateful they will only be 10 minutes away in their beautiful new home. Some things in life are crazy right now, but family is good – and that is what matters. And to know I have dear Benjamin looking for me – that just takes me over the edge. I literally have tears in my eyes right now. Tears of gratitude. So blessed to have you two in my life! The world is a better place because of people like you! Thank you Ellen! Love you and Benjamin! ❤
LikeLike