What if the answers to so many of Our QUESTions were found in minds that We never think to acknowledge? A puzzle is not a picture until ALL pieces are linked >+=>

Eye feel a strong relation to the homeless, as Eye have also dealt with depression and loneliness, feeling, myself, only one step removed, as Eye often wonder if anyone would help me, or just walk by? But there are people in my LIFE who have shown LOVE and concern for my well-being, even those Eye've never met. They have lifted my Spirits and Eye may not have survived without them. And so Eye want to use my talents to make a difference for others, to !nspire a Positive Light of acceptance and LOVE for ALL.

It all stems from a simple QUESTion asked by a pen-pal of my Sister's, "Why do people belittle each other rather than help one another!?" (you may read the letter here) An important QUESTion, Eye feel, as people who may have more knowledge, a different opinion, or not fully understand the circumstances, will often judge and ridicule others instead of helping and encouraging them on. It's sad, as We are ALL Connected and Our interactions do acutely affect each other's feelings. If one QUESTion could change Our world, it may be this, if We ALL think about it before We act or speak. Why do people belittle each other rather than help one another? Would the alternative be Peace?

~UnRest~

Within the "Empathy from the Empire" exhibit there are five Connective !nspirational themes, where the photography acts as catalyst to the message. "Fame & Fortune (Are Not Siamese Twins)" focuses on the less fortunate and pays tribute to some wonderful people Eye've met along the way, some who have even helped me.

One kind man, Lonnie, sat in the ~>SUN<~ and watched my car, feeding the meter to keep it from expiring. Wow! Here was a man who was not begging, but doing GOoD for others, even in his own misfortune. Eye sat and talked and Shared some of my photography with him for a while. It made him feel GOoD to have someone spend the time with him and Eye appreciated what he had done for me as well! Eye gave him a little cash and some information about a local hostel where he could find a bed for just a few dollars, and a picture he liked to remember Our meeting by. Eye Hope he is Happy and well and Thank him for being so kind to this wandering stranger!

And then there is Mike, whom Eye talked with one spring day, as he Happily fed the pigeons in front of the NYC Public Library. He told me how he once played the stock market and stayed in fancy NY hotels until he lost it ALL and never recovered, and maybe never wanted to. If there's one thing Eye remember about Mike, it's that he seemed to be content, as if he had found the peace We ALL look for, by just Eyenjoying the day. It makes me think that it's not the pursuit of anything that brings Happiness, but the simple Realization that LIFE itself is BeautyFull, and Eyenjoyable, if we allow Ourselves to see.

Perception Park is LIFE is Perception Park

As Eye understand depression from experience, and one of my own Friends and exhibit sponsors has since committed suicide, Eye have become more Passionate about helping others to break depression and LIVE! As many will often say, “Its not my fault.” in response to others’ misfortunes, Eye Believe it should be Our Responsibility to ^plift each other, Always, as We ALL lose when one is lost or belittled.

"Never pass a spirit in despair!"

Paul (above) helped to !nspire my work with Photography as Therapy as We talked about "The Beauty Of LIFE!" and ALL GOD's Creation. As Eye talked with Paul, he Happily greeted Everyone who passed with, "GOoD morning!", GOD Bless you!", Beautiful day!", though Eye remember none who replied. About the "Empathy from the Empire" exhibit, Paul said, "It was Beautiful, man, Beautiful! I was amazed! I stood there for a long time! I wish I could take pictures like that! I keep the memories up here, but I wish I could take pictures with a camera like you can!" To this Eye replied, "Well, maybe Eye'll bring you by a camera..." And this thought, !nspired by someone most don't even acknowledge, caused a ~>GREAT SPARK<~ within me, which is now becoming Reality...

Ever heard the song, "Mr. Wendal", by Arrested Development? Brilliance! : )

Helping people to see Our world through new eyes is most important in motivation to Positive change-> For this purpose, "The Beauty Of LIFE!", an interactive slideshow which challenges Perceptions and !nspires Eyemagination, helping participants to open their eyes and senses to "The Beauty Of LIFE!" too often overlooked, seems to have quite an effect. In fact, just sitting down with people on the street to Share photos and conversation has shown amazing results! One man, when given a few dollars and a camera, said, "I just want to thank you! More for the opportunity, than the money."

Having, myself, been ^plifted from depression to heights of pure euphoria through photography, Eye am Passionate in my mission to bring Positive change to Our world and help others, however less fortunate, to see the world through new eyes, to Eyenjoy LIFE and Eyexperience things far beyond ordinary for themselves!

"You Are What You Eat ~ Be Beauty! The Beauty Of LIFE!"

A person who may not be able to use their legs or even have great education is still not disabled as a photographer. It only takes one finger and an eye to take a picture. While the Positive effects are limitless! Just the act of taking a picture, in itself, helps to engrain memory, so focusing on Beauty engrains Beauty, as We become what We injest.

Also, of 72 photos that were displayed during the "Empathy from the Empire" exhibit at Empire State Building, 51 were taken with compact and disposable cameras. A testament in itself that anyone, including the homeless and/or disabled, can excel, and even have their work, taken with simple point and shoot cameras, displayed in the lobby of the world's most famous building for people of ALL nations and walks of LIFE to view.

Dreamer? or Visionary!

"Everything IS Everything, Be It!" < exhibit to be displayed at Empire State Building between November 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008, for the purpose of allowing the less fortunate to display their work in the lobby of the world's most famous building, to ^plift themselves, !nspire others in like-situations, and change perceptions of those who may think they have nothing to Share. We are missing Great Gifts by passing each other by!

The Eyemazing story behind this ^ photo will be explained during a presentation of "The Beauty Of LIFE!" -- an interactive slideshow which challenges Perceptions and !nspires Eyemagination, followed by a QUESTion and Answer session with Steve "LOVE LIFE" Fugate, who has walked nearly 17,000 miles carrying his "LOVE LIFE" sign, on Saturday, April 14, at 7:00 PM, as part of the HeArts Coming Together conference in Canton, Ohio.

"Stop, Talk, Listen, Learn, and LOVE it ALL!"

Be nice to Everyone! The elevated Spirits will have so much more to give back to society in return, and you will be elevated by the difference you make! There are some great people out there with so much to Share, if We just stop to talk and be a Friend. And this is my goal-> Not a goal with an end, but a LIFE to LIVE, with Hope of a better outcome for ALL-> Won't you please join me in my Quest? This will be Our greatest success!

"Nobody is perfect in this world, that's why we are here, to complete one another, to fill out the lack.." ~ Dayang Anom Meilansari

Eye may not have ALL the answers, but if Eye've any Purpose in LIFE, it must be to challenge Perceptions and help people to recognize each other more. Because when Everyone does better, Everyone does better->

> What WILL We Do To Change Our World, TODAY?

For future discussions, please contact: PhotoAsTherapy at Yahoo com. Thank you!

Angelic LOVE! GOoD Day!

Positively,

JS : ) Eyeclectic.net

"Have Camera, Will Travel!"

>+=>