Keep Searching

/ Jodi
Snowy Rose of Sharon Seed Pods March 2018 Mars PA

Snowy Rose of Sharon Seed Pods March 2018 Mars PA

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.

44 thoughts on “Keep Searching”

    • 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!

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  10. 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.

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  11. 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! ☺️

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  16. 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

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  17. 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!

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  18. 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.

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    • 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! ❤

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  19. 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!!

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    • 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! ❤

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