12.2.08

Random Thoughts And Things To Build On

Dreaming of a Love Bird in Paradise, Digital Collage - ©R. Koleilat, 2008

In a column entitled "Be the Change: Living the Me to We philosophy" in Canadian Living Magazine (Feb. 2008), Craig and Mark Kielburger, two very amazing young Canadian humanitarian activists and authors of Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World write:

"... how should we define success?... researchers compared Forbes' 400 richest Americans with the Maasai of East Africa - traditional herding communities with no electricity or running water, who live in huts made largely of mud and dung. The two groups were found to be almost equally satisfied with their lives."

So, for all you thousandaires out there (or in my case, pennyaires), take heart: money really does not buy happiness.

I urge you to find out more about Craig Kielburger - he's the kid who made headlines a few years ago, when he was all of twelve years old, by organizing other children to fight child labour world-wide. He founded Free the Children in 1995 and hasn't looked back since. I love Canada.

Illustration: This is my contribution to this week's 2 Things Challenge, Love/bird. Not only did I actually manage an entry, I also got inspired by Frances' entry, who in turn was inspired by Sue O'Kieffe and John (copyright-dude) Mora, and their fun puzzle-play. If you visited earlier today, you saw a different picture. I had to fix it because Ms. Know-it-all said it could be better. And of course, she was right.

Image Sources: WetCanvas, Gimp-Savvy, my own photographs.

13 comments:

John M. Mora said...

You love O-Canada (I always wondered what the "O" stood for - never thought it was "Oprah," my mind being in a gutter and I blame the Jesuits).

I love intellectual property....you are funny.

de dude

Very nice work, but O you knoew that.

Bobbie said...

I LOVE this post and this artwork with the fat little Buddha sitting behind the egret taking it easy in the recliner. Where do these things come from?

The white throated sparrows are still here singing Canada...Canada...Canada, but they will be gone soon and you will have them back. Then will they sing USA...USA...USA?

I'll be checking out some of this info you mentioned here.

lebanesa said...

Nice one, Rima, what goes around comes around...
BTW I tagged you for the book meme.

Rima said...

Thanks!
John, I believe O stands for Oh, my, look at this huge pile of snow covering my car.

Bobbie, I amended my post to reflect the sources, thanks for reminding. I was hoping to make the egret look like it's coming out of baby's head, as in a ... dream... (get it, get it? oh, darn, I am just too clever). Believe it or not, there are still some hardy birds around!

Frances, thanks, I need something to occupy me because I have nothing to do.

dianeclancy said...

Hi Rima,

The is a lovely entry!! Very touching.

What a good thought ... I think that is true that happiness and money don't need to be connected .. though it is sure nice to have your basic needs met - that is pretty crucial!

Good for Craig!!

~ Diane Clancy
www.DianeClancy.com/blog
www.YourArtMarketing.com

Artists With Artitude said...

Your allegiance to Canada notwithstanding (lol), I want to thank you for this great post. As an ex-shopaholic, I must admit that I much happier (and nicer) with plain papers and scissors. Pretty soon, I will look at your contented Buddha :)..I love this collage: it looks so airy. The feathers tickling the baby's smiling face is beyond charming. Vive le Canada, eh?

Bev said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Artful Eye said...

Rima, This piece is so dreamy, love little Buddha nestled in the snuggled up in egret feathers.
Just ordered up this book "We to the Me", love this type of read.
Thanks for the info.

Janet Kincaid said...

Wow! Lovely interpretation of Love/Bird. I really like the ethereal, dreamscape quality of your illustration. (And I can see how Frances' mandala inspired you, as well.) Very nicely done!

ZanBarrage said...

You made my day with this post. How true it is. Missing you all terribly!

Bev said...

This makes a superb diptyth with Frances' (a word I learnt from you). A valentine cherub dreaming of lovebirds. Not your usual lovebirds, but they are beautiful, soft and fluffy.

Francesca said...

Beautiful piece, the quality of dreams all wrapped up in this image.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Oh I get it now! Bit to small on my reader:) This is great, the child looks so safe, as if nutured in a nest. What a lovely entry Rima.
Thank you for your visit's to my blog. Always an honour!
Let me know if you do find any of that paisley printed paint!