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COMMENTARY: C2MTL inspires limitless possibilities for creativity

By Ariane Laezza, Global News

On its third and final day, C2MTL continues to spark ideas and conversations that are sure to catch like wild fire in the days and weeks to come.

The energy in the C2 Hangar, located at 2020 William St. in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, is palpable and at times, overwhelming.

Several attendees mentioned feeling unexpected emotions from various talks held by notable speakers, such as Amanda Hill, CMO of A+E Networks, calling for people to “have the courage to have a point of view in this world” because “it’s become way too easy to not be smart.”

In these tumultuous and often unpredictable times, it can be easy to feel uninspired, unimportant and quite frankly, numb.

Feelings of hopelessness can affect even the most creative and inspiring souls.

Friday’s speakers brought a sense of limitless possibilities in the creative, cultural and technological realms of our time.

Arguably, the most highly anticipated speaker of the day was the one and only Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers, who pointed out several times during his Q&A that humour is an integral part of his work.

“Don’t ever give up your humour if you’re young enough,” said Wozniak, or “Woz,” as he is often affectionately called by friends and fans.

“Be nice to everyone and make sure you’re enjoying the life you have.”

What gave everyone all the feels was when Wozniak, who famously gave up much of his wealth to live a simpler and happier existence, brought insight into the very early days of Apple Computers with the following statement: “We weren’t doing it for the money, we were doing it for love.”

Heart emojis abound.

It’s a gentle reminder that the decisions we make in our lives should be made as conscious participants of the world, that ultimately, money should not be a driving force and perhaps it’s time to start solving problems with our hearts and not our minds.

A visit to C2MTL cannot be made without mentioning Hatch Experience, a global network of industry leaders dedicated to doing extraordinary work in bettering the planet.

This year, Hatch was invited to curate a specific tribe of guests for C2, including NASA’s Michelle Thaller, founder of Sphero Ian Berstein, Mark Brand, Chris Denson, Esther Lee and Tim Kring, among others.

As a network designed to catalyze creativity for a better world, Hatch also knows how to have a good time, curating a series of dinners and performances at a variety of restaurants and bars throughout the week – we are in Montreal, after all.

The festivities continue Friday night with the much-celebrated C2 closing party, featuring Montreal’s very own duo Chromeo as the headlining DJs.

I imagine there will be many missed flights Saturday morning, perhaps with people pondering Steve Wozniak’s final thoughts on happiness:

“Happiness equals food, fun and friends.”

In the end, the best thing about C2MTL is the formation of new, international friendships and connections along a backdrop of food, music and culture in the beautiful city of Montreal.

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Originally published on Global News.

#global news #creativity #c2mtl #montreal #toronto #writer #tech #arts #communications

COMMENTARY: C2MTL looks to the future

By Ariane Laezza, Global News

Day Two of C2MTL, taking place at Arsenal on 2020 William St. in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, focused on the innovative creations to come – and the understanding that the future, in fact, is already here.

Robots, bio plastics, the philosophical experiences of digital art; we are at a crossroads between our industrial past and digital future and the decisions that are made today will determine our collective reality in the years to come.

Speakers like Ian Bernstein, founder and CTO of Sphero (the company that created the lovable BB-8 droid from Star Wars), industrial designer Karim Rashid and digital artists Daisuke Sakai and Takashi Kudo from the Japan-based Team Lab all offered up their personal and professional philosophies on embracing future technologies while considering its impacts on the human condition.

“Only create if it adds something to the human experience,” Rashid professed.

“The contribution has to be greater than what exists.” In a time where we are saturated with commodity, we must focus less on materialism and focus on a great experience.

A similar theme came up on one of the “Brain Dates,” an ongoing networking opportunity offered up to C2MTL attendees to meet other like-minded people at the conference.

We met with some members from Meet the Future, an initiative started by Montreal-based Factry, a school of creative sciences that sent 35 people between the ages of 18 to 24-years-old to the conference this year.

Their 2017 motto: “This year, you can’t talk about the future without listening to what the next generation has to say.” How can we truly discuss the future without the voices and opinions of today’s youth?

After all, they are the ones living this reality of our new digital, social age.

The millennial generation, as they are often referred to by marketers, will be an integral part of the success and survival of our world in the years and decades to come.

It seems they are ready, willing and able to stand up to the challenge, they just need the ears and the confidence of their older, more established counterparts to hear them out.

So, to the future we look, while we remain diligently perceptive of the moment in which we now live.

#c2mtl #creativity #conference #business #tech #science #innovation #global news

COMMENTARY: C2MTL promises hope, creativity and a whole lot of girl power

By Ariane Laezza, Global News

In its 6th year, C2MTL kicked off with a promise of hope, inspiration and a call from Jean-François Bouchard, chairperson of the conference, to “participate in the rethinking of our collective future.”

A small feat? No, but based on the resounding applause and positive murmurs from the audience, C2MTLers are up to the challenge.

C2, being held at Arsenal on 2020 William St. in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighourhood, brings together the commercial and the creative to explore trends, opportunities, disruptions and major shifts on the horizon.

Every year, more than 5,000 decision-makers and creative minds unite to collectively shape, experience, and challenge the future of business.

The morning started with a performance from Maestro Kent Nagano and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in the 360 Big Top stage, surrounded by striking video mapping that brought the auditorium to life, and ultimately, the first standing ovation of the conference (there will undoubtedly be many more).

The quality of speakers and depth of ideas generated at C2MTL has garnered international attention and, according to Price Waterhouse, has resulted in multi-million dollar business deals between attendees.

That’s not only good for business, it may in fact be good for the world.

The 2017 theme of C2MTL revolves around the five following questions:

How do we develop talent in an ever-shifting business environment? What’s the role of the marketer in this new, constantly shifting digital world? How do we reinvent entertainment? In which ways can we rethink cities as living, ever-changing organisms? What is the next great leap for humankind? The strategically curated panel of speakers on Day 1 included Linda Boff, chief marketing officer of GE; Michelle Thaler, deputy director for science communication at NASA and Monika Bielskyte, a creative strategist, among others.

Day One was filled with bold, forward-thinking women who are disruptive leaders in their fields, changing the world one day at a time.

C2MTL takes place from May 24 to 26, 2017.

Stay tuned to find out what the next two days have in store!

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Originally published on Global News

#c2mtl #creativity #business #conference #montreal #global news #news #reporter #writer #toronto #tech #arts #science

THINK BEFORE YOU POST: A NOTE FROM A PRO

I was originally asked to write this piece as an “open letter” to some of the younger sisters/cousins/step-daughters/daughters of the Rebel Mama community who may not be navigating the social media spectrum as carefully as they could be...some lessons from a *gasps* 15 year fashion veteran.

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I know you think 30-year-olds are old as fuck. I know, because when I was your age, I did too (and being at the age where I say things like, “when I was your age,” I really do realize how annoying I sound, but stick with me here).

Allow me to formally introduce myself. I feel obliged to inform you here that I’m actually not a mom. Something tells me that that may give me a bit more clout in this particular conversation.

My name is Ariane. I have a degree in Communications. I speak French and English fluently. I’m an artist, a photographer, and a writer. I’ve also been modeling since I was 17. I’m 33 now. That’s 15 years in front of the camera – hanging out on your screens, in your magazines and on billboards.

Why does that matter? Because my entire career has been based on image; my own, and the image of the brands that pay me to represent them. I had to learn, with some help from a few wise industry professionals before me, that this can be a tricky reality to manage if you’re not careful.

The thing is that I had people there who helped me navigate the bizarre reality of having a public image. But now everybody has a goddamn public image and nobody is telling you how to deal and I don’t think that’s fair. So in the name of solidarity with you, my sisters, I’ll tell you everything I know about how to have a healthy relationship with your online persona… Let’s take it back a few years first, shall we? When I was in my teens, my cousin and I would do our hair and makeup, style ourselves in short, tight dresses and high heels and do mini “fashion shoots”. We’d practice our poses and our walk and try to “act sexy”. We were acting then because we were too young to even know what sexy meant. But we explored that though, as we should have, because it’s natural and healthy to be curious about your sexuality and your new identity as a young woman. Our film photos never went past the print shop, of course – this was a time before we even had to concern ourselves with social media. The photos were for us. They helped us to form an outside view of ourselves… they were evidence of our newly acquired hair & makeup skills and our new, evolving bodies…and they helped us gain confidence. These days nothing has really changed except where the photos end up. And who sees them. It may not seem like a big deal to post that bikini selfie, or pout your lips for the gram or post that sexy styled shoot you did with your girlfriends. After all, this is you, right? But it’s a bit more complicated than that. We are all on screens – all the time. We are validated by likes. We use filters to smooth out blemishes and skin tone, apps to elongate our faces… We lose ourselves in concerning ourselves too much with what we look like rather than what we do or what we think. The unfortunate reality, though, is that sex sells. You know that as well as I do. Selfies and T&A shots get more likes, and bikini models traveling the world, satisfying their #wanderlust have become the epitome of “making it” in the IG/Snapchat world. But I’m here to tell you (as if you didn’t already know) that not all that glitters is gold. Social media is mostly smoke and mirrors. Everything appears more glamorous on screen. We are now all actors of our own lives. But please – don’t get caught up in the show. Ladies, you are beautiful, sexy, powerful. WE know this. You know this. And they know this. But who is this “they” exactly? These shadows of friends on social media… future boyfriends…future girlfriends…future employers…perhaps even future employees (when you’re the boss running the show one day). They are all there, seeing everything you post. You should freely and boldly express who you are; you are young and this is the time to craft your identity. But your future-you awaits you in the not-so-distant-future and she is asking you to think twice about what you share with others online, because people will remember and it may sneak up on you one day. The image of ourselves we present to the world may reflect aspects of who we are, but it’s different from who we actually are. Our value as human beings cannot be tied to our image, our appearance, our body parts, our youth, our clothes, because if it is, we become subject to the approval of others; and that is one seriously dangerous game to play. Those likes may feel good. They acknowledge that you’re beautiful, young, sexy, bold. But you already knew that. Or maybe you didn’t, and all the likes and attention are telling you that you are, in fact, a babe. No matter where you are on that learning curve (don’t worry, I can promise that you will get there), what I’m saying is don’t let others be the judge. Be your own damn judge. Should you be proud of your body? YES, absolutely. As a young woman you are powerful and captivating. More than you know. But, as you will quickly learn, there are people out there that will try to come after that power. Take advantage of it. Diminish it. Or, quite frankly, get off on it. There are some that will celebrate it, pay you compliments and the number of “likes” you receive will go up and up and up. Because, like I said, you are beautiful and powerful. But you are smarter than that. You know that your worth and your value are not tied to your appearance, so don’t allow them to be. You know that you don’t need any “likes” to tell you that you’re badass. You know you’re a babe and that true babes let their light shine through, without having to overexpose themselves to the world. Do you feel liberated? Empowered? Comfortable with your sexuality? Great! That is what we want more of. But be mindful of who you share your energy with, ladies – not everyone deserves it. Trust me. You will thank me when you’re as old as I am.

xx Aunty Ariane

Originally published on www.therebelmama.com

#rebel mama #writing #women #social media #creativity #happiness

Life Lessons w/ Malala and Barbie

“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

These are the words of Malala Yousafzai, who in 2012, at the age of 15, was gunned down by a masked attacker while travelling home from school with her classmates. Malala was shot with a single bullet that went through her head, neck and shoulder. Two of her friends were also injured in the attack.

At the time, Malala’s father was known as an advocate for education in Pakistan and became an outspoken opponent of Taliban efforts to restrict education and stop girls from attending school. Sharing her father’s passion for learning, Malala began writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym, fearing that her school would be attacked.

Malala and her father received death threats but continued to speak out. Around this time, Malala was featured in a documentary made for The New York Times and was revealed as the author of the BBC blog.

Shortly after, the attempt on her life was made.

The Taliban’s attempt to kill Malala received worldwide condemnation and led to protests across Pakistan. In the weeks after the attack, over 2 million people signed a right to education petition, and the National Assembly swiftly ratified Pakistan’s first Right To Free and Compulsory Education Bill.

After establishing the Malala Fund in 2013, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, contributing her entire prize money of more than $500,000 to financing the creation of a secondary school for girls in Pakistan.

“The measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls….”

By contrast, in 2012 I was a 28-year-old woman who was playing with Barbie Dolls. Albeit, I was using them as “models” for some lighting tests and as my photography subjects in place of real life women.

As a model myself for over 15 years, I’d always been fascinated with the representation of women in visual culture, our own and foreign ones, since my job was inevitably linked to this (mainly fabricated) reality. As a student, I decided to pursue this curiosity further, specializing in Visual Culture and Communications at the University of Toronto – studying the impact of cultural representation and its effect on industry, society and self-identity.

Those two factors aside, I’ve always loved Barbie. When I was a kid I would play with them for hours. I wanted as many as my parents would allow. I loved them all and wanted them with different hair, different skin, different eyes, different clothes, and different jobs. I would set up scenes, scenarios and escape to a different world where they could do what they wanted and I, in turn, could too.

The Barbie Doll has become an iconic figure and powerful symbol of femininity, for better or for worse, and to this day is used by numerous artists to represent “femaleness” in pop-culture. I mentioned this once in a class in University and another female student scoffed and said, “Oh sure it’s easy for you to say that when you look like a Barbie Doll…” Embarrassed, slightly mortified, I didn’t know what to say except, “No I don’t. None of us do. That’s the point, I think.” She scoffed again. I hate that story. I never tell it to anyone. But that moment stuck with me. I realized a couple of things in that exchange:

1. Visual representation of identity in pop culture has a resounding impact on people throughout their lives but is experienced differently. 2. It has an impact nonetheless.

Regardless of how we feel about visual representations of identity, or lack of them, they ultimately make up the fabric of social “standards” and in how a society views people, in relationship to each other. For example, if we live in a society where girls play with perfectly made up dolls, while boys play with toy soldiers do we end up in a place where beauty is the highest standard for women while strength and courage are the highest standards for men?

Possibly. I’m more interested in how to bend these notions.

Which brings me to the concept behind our Malala Tees. After hearing Malala’s story and following her journey for several years I couldn’t believe her unbelievable courage, drive and absolute curiosity of life and thirst for knowledge. My mother is a teacher, my brother and sister-in-law are teachers, my cousin is a teacher and my entire life I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by curious people who pride themselves on learning and in passing on knowledge to others that need it most.

We take education for granted. We forget not everyone has access to it. We forget that some people, simply because they were born a girl, are either systemically or forcibly refused access to it. If only we could be reminded of this more so that we practice gratitude for those that teach and for the ability to learn; so that we speak out against those who discourage and block education, while doing what we can to support access to it.

If the Barbie Doll has become the most iconic symbol of femininity in the world then surely a 15-year-old survivor of violence against women, advocate for education, Nobel prize winning, celebrated author and fierce young woman can be as well.

So I reached out to my good friend Sean Siford, a loud, tattooed, punk rock loving vegan and most unassuming feminist you’ll ever meet, who happens to be one of the most bad ass designers I know, and asked him if he could design a tee with the name “Malala” written across the chest in vintage Barbie font.

A few days later the Malala tees were born, with $10 of EVERY shirt sold donated to the Malala Fund, helping to fund girls’ education. Last year on International Women’s Day I worked with the Malala Fund on licensing the documentary “I am Malala” and held a private screening at Soho House Toronto to a small group of 60.

This year, along with the help of the Rebel Mamas, we’re giving away a free Malala Tee to raise awareness. We want to hear some of your favourite school/learning memories and why you think girls (and boys!) education is so important.

If you’re interested in ordering a Malala tee check out www.artandindustry.co

*** Follow THE REBEL MAMA on: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter *****SHOP THE REBEL MAMA*****

#BARBIE #malala #malala yousafzai #rebel mama #pastiche #feminism #writing

15 Inspirational Quotes All Women Need To Hear

It seems nearly impossible these days to login to any of our chosen social media accounts without seeing a bombardment of inspirational quotes across our screens. You know the ones – beautiful photographs with (somewhat accurate) paraphrased quotes by figures of the past, meant to motivate us throughout our day.

Given their overabundance, they are likely lost on many, and it’s often easy to dismiss their message. But at a time when we may be at a crossroads in life – choosing to pursue our passions and follow what we love – our fears often rear their ugly heads and can scare us back into our holes, so-to-speak, hindering our growth and personal development. In these times we can find value in other peoples’ experiences and find inspiration in their words.

Now, more than at any time in history, women are at the forefront of so many industries and are finally being recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

This, as we know, did not happen overnight and women all over the world continue to fight for their rights and for their voices to be heard. There is value in hearing words from strong, influential women because they were up against the same struggles that all women face and have powered through, relentlessly, to achieve their goals and shine in a world that often seems to be against them.

There is also no shortage of female presence in the media, but more often than not, their value still seems to be tied to their appearance; their worth intertwined with their sexuality, or representation thereof. And while proud, sexually empowered women are certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it’s this strictly one-dimensional view of women being pushed ad infinitum that ends up actually boring some of us, frustrating others and getting entirely ignored by the majority (believe it or not, nearly 3 decades worth of data suggests that sex doesn’t sell).

For this reason, it’s important to seek out other voices and other stories by women who are much more than their appearance, much more than their roles at home, and unapologetic forces to be reckoned with.

Here are some valuable life lessons from some our of world’s most inspiring women. Enjoy!

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” ~ Marie Curie

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ~ Maya Angelou

“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” ~ J. K. Rowling

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” ~ Malala Yousafzai

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” ~ Dolly Parton

“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.” ~ Hillary Clinton

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. ” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of “Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this”, and you push through these moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” ~ Marissa Mayer

“I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something Greater than You, and keep doing what you love. Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.” ~ Judy Collins

“Don’t try to be young. Just open your mind. Stay interested in stuff. There are so many things I won’t live long enough to find out about, but I’m still curious about them. You know people who are already saying, ‘I’m going to be 30 – oh, what am I going to do?’ Well, use that decade! Use them all!” ~ Betty White

“Fear can be one of the most destructive emotions. It is, of course, also very important, in that fear sometimes stops you from doing stupid things. But it can also stop you from doing creative or exciting or experimental things. It can cloud your judgment of others, and lead to all kinds of evil. The control and understanding of our personal fears is one of the most important undertakings of our lives.” ~ Helen Mirren

“Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.” ~ Susan B. Anthony

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” ~ Simone de Beauvoir

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

We all need a little motivation from time to time. What better way than to start your day off with words from strong, inspiring women that have made this world a better place.

Of course, we can all make a difference in this world in our own, unique way; it is simply a matter of turning within and finding our own voice. Writing is a beautifully organic way of working through our thoughts.

So, perhaps after reading these motivating words, you yourself will be inspired to write your own ideas and experiences, in order that, one day, other young women can learn from you.

#creativity #women #Strong Woman #writing #power #passion #quotes

Words to Live by

After reading this...one person in particular challenged me to imagine one visual that represents everything in this list. I’m still figuring it out. Maybe you can help me with that? Leave me your thoughts or comments - I’d love to hear them. Enjoy!

1. If you’re not happy, change something.

2. Knowing what you want out of life is not enough. Having the courage to follow through with the actions it takes to reach those goals is what makes the difference.

3. Always go with your gut.

4. Never apologize to anyone for the success and happiness you experience in life. Envy is a petty thing.

5. Never let go of your sense of adventure. When you open yourself up to the world you’ll be surprised at what it is you’ll find, who it is you’ll meet, and what it is you’ll learn.

6. Just because someone wants the best for you, doesn’t mean they know what the best for you is. Be in tune to what your wants and needs are, and live your life on your own terms.

7. Friends come and go, and that’s not always a bad thing.

8. Growth can be a grueling process, but it is both inevitable and necessary. Acknowledging and nurturing it can be truly powerful.

9. Patience is important, but sometimes you have to go out and make something happen for yourself.

10. Teach people how to treat you. If you command respect you will receive it.

And an 11th lesson for good measure...

11. Surround yourself with positive, creative and like-minded people. Negativity will drain you, and life is just too short for that.

I originally wrote this piece for myself in 2010...

#life lessons #top 10 lists #happiness #love #passion #creativity #writing

Elizabeth Gilbert on Creativity, Why Fear Is Boring, and Living a Satisfying Life

Creativity is a tricky word. Consultants peddle it, brands promise it, we all strive for it, often without really knowing quite what “it” really is. Put simply, there’s a lot of snake oil around creativity.

Yet it seems like everyone is buzzing about it these days. A lot. In fact, we appear to be in the midst of a social and economic shift where creativity, innovation and content curation are being caught up in a new (and dare I say) innovative value system. People are openly discussing creativity and what it means to them. Many express feeling unfulfilled in their daily lives, seeking to be more creative and craving a creative outlet; many day dream of parallel lives where they can live as the artists they’d always hoped to be. Others consider themselves outside the realm of creativity and deem it a job for the artists of the world.

But we’re all artists of the world, even if we don’t realize it. Sometimes we just need to be reminded.

This is what happened to me the other day. As I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, I came across a great article based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s Ted Talk on creativity.

In it, Gilbert suggests we interchange the word creativity with curiosity in order to grasp what the act of creativity in fact entails. We are all curious beings, so why do we have such a difficult time understanding, grasping and even acknowledging the creative process?

To narrow it down, Gilbert came up with 11 points to help guide us through to an understanding of how to tackle creativity. The title of the article highlights the idea of fear; a feeling that we all know too well yet rarely discuss in earnest. I think the discussion really starts here.

As Gilbert points out, fear is not something to ignore, but rather something to acknowledge and incorporate into our decision making when it comes to our chosen forms of self-expression. Writing poetry and sharing it with someone may terrify you but it’s not a matter of life or death. Abruptly quitting your well-paying job to pursue a career as a performance artist when you have 3 kids in school may be a terrifying prospect and, as Gilbert points out, it should be. Fear is there to help us question decisions in terms of risk and reward. Fear helps us come to decisions that seek to protect us; instead of quitting our job we decide to devote our weekends to our craft and artistic endeavours and when we do, we engage in them fearlessly.

Once the fear is overcome it is time to do the work. Creativity flows through each of us, we just need to allow it to present itself and the only way for this to happen is to “do”. No matter what. The same way we exercise our bodies at the gym or work on our brains through education we must exercise the soul through acts of creation. The more we do, the more we learn, the more we grow. And then we become.

Here’s her breakdown, in a nutshell. These are fantastic points, and well worth returning to.

1. If you’re alive, you’re a creative person.

2. You’re not a genius, you have a genius.

3. Make something, do something, do anything.

4. Stop complaining and get to work.

5. Frustration is not an interruption of the process, frustration is the process.

6. Let go of your fantasy of perfection.

7. You can’t get rid of fear, but do remember that fear is boring.

8. If something is authentic enough, it will feel original.

9. If you’re in the arts, you don’t need graduate school.

10. Creative fields make for crap careers.

11. Curiosity is the truth and the way of creative living.

Originally published on December 5, 2015 on Wisdom Pills

#creativity #elizabeth gilbert #writing #arts #writer #passion

Jordan: A Land of Contrast

What to pack? The eternal question we all ponder over before traveling somewhere new. As a young woman traveling to the Middle East for the first time, this question becomes much more complex. As a Western woman traveling alone to a country like Jordan, it becomes not just about the clothes, but about what they represent.

Preparing to spend two weeks in Amman, a series of questions ran through my mind: would I need to wear a veil? Would it be safe to walk alone? Did people go out? Did they drink? Would anyone speak English? Once there, I quickly realized that my concerns were unfounded.

I had the privilege of staying with very good friends in Amman, which allowed me to experience this beautiful city through the eyes of locals. What they showed me was that Jordan is in fact a safe country to travel to, with warm and hospitable people, a proud history, rich culture, great food and spectacular attractions. Amman in particular is a hidden gem, a multi-faceted diamond in the rough offering everything from natural wonders to trendy nightclubs.

Upon arriving in Amman, one is immediately struck by the city’s vibrancy. The sound of beeping cars as they bravely weave in and out of traffic, the call of street vendors selling seasonally fresh fruits on the side of the road, the locals smoking lemon-mint flavoured argyle on the patios of the neighbourhood cafes; these are just some of the sights and sounds that give this city life.

By day, it is a must to explore the bustling souqs of downtown where you will find aromatic spices, decadent Arabic delicacies and the latest fashions. Take time to stop for a cardamom-scented coffee and Kanafeh – a traditional dessert made of a crispy golden shredded pastry, delicate fried cheese and pistachio nuts, drizzled with sugar syrup; a decadent experience that will be sure to leave you craving more.

Just up the hill from the downtown core is the Coliseum, a Roman theatre that remains the most impressive legacy of the former city of Philadelphia (now modern day Amman). Built under the emperor Antonius Pius in the 2nd century AD, this magnificent example of Roman design and architecture still holds concerts to this day.

Looking up from the stage of the Coliseum, one sees the impressive ruins of the Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited spaces, dating back over 7000 years. Its current existing ruins are those of a Palace complex, Byzantine church and the impressive Temple of Hercules, commissioned by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd Century AD.

The artifact museum at the top of the hill is an absolute must to visit. With quality examples of pottery, jewelry and weaponry dating back to beyond the Bronze Age, this small museum holds pieces that challenge the collections of even the most reputable museums of the world.

Visiting the Citadel Hill in the early evening, one can experience a spectacular sunset while overlooking Amman’s impressive skyline. Standing amidst these remarkable ruins is truly a powerful experience, making you feel the historical importance this region once had.

When the day starts to wind down, Amman’s nightlife begins to pick up. Under the glowing light of its numerous 5-star hotels, the streets become filled with the luxury cars of Amman’s most affluent youth, heading to the latest high-end restaurants, nightclubs and lounges. This is where all of the trendiest and most beautiful come to drink and socialize until the early hours.

On my first night out in Amman, I bumped into American rapper and producer, Jay Electronica, who was with friends at a popular night spot called Flow Bar. He was in town from New Orleans and when I asked him how he ended up in a place like Amman answered, “I was invited down, so I came and I love it here. It’s like a secret nobody knows about yet. And I like it that way.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

Being out at a place like Flow Bar feels like you could be in any of the world’s most Cosmopolitan cities; everyone is gorgeous, thin and wearing the latest designer clothes, colourful cocktails in hand. This is when I realized that my former packing dilemma was without grounds. Not only is it unnecessary to wear a veil here, but it probably isn’t a bad idea to pack your Louboutins either.

To recover after a long night of partying, locals as well as foreigners spend their day lounging by an infinity pool at one of the Dead Sea’s numerous luxury resorts such as the Kempinski Hotel. Here you can enjoy the world famous, full-body mud treatment, known to have effective healing and moisturizing capabilities. Washing the mud off in the waters of the Dead Sea is quite an experience in itself. Nine times saltier than then Ocean, the high density of the water means that you easily float, but don’t easily swim. Just relax and let the water gently carry you around as you bask in the warm sunlight. To fully appreciate the relaxing effects of the mud, sip on a thirst-quenching Caipirinha while taking in the sunset and awe-inspiring scenery from the comfort of a private cabana.

Just a twenty minute drive from Amman is a lovely town called Madaba. It is here that one will find the infamous Madaba Mosaic Map, the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. Dating back to the 6th century AD., the map is part of the floor mosaic in the early Byzantine Church of Saint George. Most travelers go to Madaba just to see the mosaics, but to really understand the charm of this historical city, one should spend the day, strolling the streets, chatting with locals and shopping in some of the quaint jewelry shops selling beautiful, traditional Bedouin adornments. The perfect end to an afternoon here is dinner at the famous Haret Jdouna restaurant located in the centre of town. The charming courtyard is surrounded by old Madaba houses, once home to prominent local citizens. In the evenings you’ll find visitors and locals mingling while enjoying traditional Jordanian dishes, live entertainment and local wines.

A trip to Jordan would not be complete without a visit to the ancient city of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This vast and unique city was carved into rock face over 2000 years ago by the ancient Nabataeans and was used as an important crossroad for trade. Flanked by cliffs the height of a five-story building, the narrow gorge, with its astounding colours and rock formations, leads you into this lost city of stone and to the awe-inspiring façade of The Treasury. This extraordinary building, made famous by cult classic Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, is a testament to the engineering genius of these ancient people. Although much has been written about this city of stone, nothing can really prepare you for this experience; it really has to be seen to be believed. Take a camel or donkey ride throughout the rest of the city to truly experience the natural beauty and architectural achievements of Petra.

The Kingdom of Jordan is a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts, from the fertile Jordan Valley, to the remote desert canyons. Amman in particular is a city of multi-cultural, multi-denominational and extremely hospitable people. I instantly fell in love with this delightful place and wish I hadn’t waited so long before traveling here. All my previously unanswered questions about the people, fashions and cultural etiquette had now been addressed. I felt ashamed that myself, like many others in the western world, bombarded by images of war, suffering and terrorism, would never even consider traveling to a country like Jordan, for fear of the aforementioned things. However, as one of the most liberal and forward thinking countries in the Arab world, Jordan is making a mark for itself as a destination rich with tradition but also vibrant with culture and nightlife. If you’re searching for a new place to discover, one that offers a bit of everything – Jordan is the place to be. I promise you’ll fall in love with it too.

Originally published in 2010 by YYZ Living Magazine.