This 2-minute video tells the story of one of the most inspiring leaps we’ve seen of late. Complete with the perfect mantra for change.
Read MoreMaud Lewis’ Expansive Gaze
Maud Lewis, who by most measures had everything against her — being crippled by severe rheumatoid arthritis, no means of support and losing her parents at an early age — had what was essential: extraordinary resourcefulness and the soul of an artist. Her house tells — and a new film – tell the story.
Read MoreWhat Does Self Care Look Like To You? (Solange)
Solange’s extrordinary album, A Seat at the Table, has been described as an expression of the right to feel it all…Her song Borderline (Ode to Self Care) begs the complex question: What does self care look like to you? Here’s her answer, and ours.
Read MoreSurprise, Astonishment, Wonder: The Intimate Oliver Sacks via Insomniac City
Insights into the very original Sacks, or perhaps we should say Sacks’ very original insights and thinking, culled from Bill Hayes’ perfect memoir Insomniav City, make delightful weekend reading. Here’s a sampling…
Read MoreThe Line of Least Resistance (Trisha Brown)
We when first watched this beautiful two minute video, we knew nothing about it, who made it or who its subject was. We thought only: THAT is how we want to be…
Read MoreJust don’t give up on trying to do what you really want to do (Ella Fitzgerald)
No one could have imagined that Ella Fitzgerald’s dark early life would have led to winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and the launch of her singing career. She was a master of wildly improvised scat singing that echoed a wildly improvised life.
Read MoreMira Keras’ Rule of ReInvention
Improvised Life Editorial Assistant Mira Keras also happens to be a tattoo artist recently featured in Buzzfeed. She developed a survivalist’s approach to right-livlelihood that works for both Millenials and Boomers navigating rough economic seas.
Read MoreHow to Rid Your Mind of Thoughts of Death and Doom
The great Joseph Mitchell reminded us that “thoughts of death and doom” are part of the human condition, and of ways to rid our mind of them.
Read MoreSuddenly Paralyzed, Her Astonishing Graphic Novel Helped Her Heal
Emil Ferris’ started working on My Favorite Thing is Monsters, her astonishingly accomplished and imaginative debut graphic novel after she became paralyzed. “It helped me heal.”
Read MoreBreakfast with Merce Cunningham
I was delighted to discover that watching a Merce Cunningham dance first thing in the morning had a similar effect on my brain and mood as reading poetry, resonating throughout the day in unexpected ways.
Read MorePaola Navone House Tour and Idea Factory
Using our rusty French to translate this video tour of designer extraordinaire Paola Navone’s Paris apartment, we’ve gathered a small trove of smart, original, inspiring and doable ideas.
Read MoreVisit Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Rooms
Since we may not be able to get to the Hirshhorn Museum to see Yayoi Kusama’s six Infinity Room installations in person, we were happy that NPR made this short video…to give us a glimpse of infinity
Read More“There IS more that brings us together than we think: All That We Share’s Personal Challenge
This extraordinary video will shift your view of people you may be pigeon-holing, reminding us that: There IS more that brings us together than we think. Our question: how to live that compassionate view in dark times?
Read MoreDancer, Singer and Cellist Collaborate the Blues Away (w Isadora Duncan)
Legendary choreographer Bill T. Jones, cellist Joshua Roman and vocalist Somi didn’t know exactly what was going to happen when they took the stage at TED on morning in 2015. They improvised five energizing minutes that totally dispel the blues. What art can do!
Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr via Sharase DeBouse and John Lewis
Martin Luther King Jr’s words spoken decades ago resonant more strongly today than ever.
Read MoreRole Model: Artist Carmen Herrera, 101 ‘I do it because I have to’
Cuban Painter Carmen Herrera sold her first painting at age 89. Now at age 101, she is widely exhibited and written about. Of the many pictures taken of her, those of her hands tell the essential story.
Read MorePauline Oliveros: Deep Listening is My Life Practice
“Deep listening” was sonic pioneer Pauline Oliveros’ life practice. Here is her simple instruction for doing it yourself (with music).
Read MoreJessamyn Stanley’s Liberation Yoga: ‘Fuck Comparison’
In a short demo session, body-loving yoga master Jessamyn Stanley undid my shame about not being perfect AND set me straight why we NEED yoga. She is a force of nature, who is making yoga accessible.
Read MoreEssential Secrets About Living (Bill Murray)
In this rough video, Bill Murray is asked how his unique way of living came about. Here are “some of the secrets someone told [him] early on about living”. They are incredibly helpful.
Read MoreThanksgiving Special: The Alien Comic Counts Blessings
What should we be thankful for this Thanksgiving season? The Alien Comic, one of the most original, whole-hearted and daring people I have ever met, gives us a full run down, bringing new appreciation to things we almost certainly take for granted.
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