heART 108 series

The heART 108 series was born early this year while I was brainstorming new ideas for random acts of kindness (RAOK) for my community. This series would include small pieces of randomly placed artwork conveying a message of love and hope. A deadline was not placed on the project but I intend to complete all 108 pieces of art within the next year if time allows.

Why 108?

The auspicious number of 108 was the number that immediately attached itself to this project. It is a sacred and symbolic number due to its Hindu and Buddhist origins and with yogic discipline. The numbers separately symbolize 1 – one thing, 0 – nothing or emptiness, and 8 – everything or infinity. Mala beads used for repeating mantras or for religious ceremonies consist of 108 beads (and one guru bead). Hindu deities have 108 names, in Buddhism there are 108 feelings, temples have 108 steps, etc.

Why heART?

I love leaving RAOK for others to discover, although I never know who or how the act was received. I love creating art and desired a way to leave small tokens of kindness with messages that I hope is exactly the message the recipient needs at that very moment.

I wrote this in my journal recently which might give you more insight as to why this is important to me:

I believe in seeking beauty in the ordinary.

I believe in making the world a better place.

I believe that people are undervalued and under appreciated.

I believe that each person needs to know that they matter.

I believe that every person is beautiful in their own unique way.

I believe that we are all connected.

I believe that each action (good or bad) we make causes a chain reaction, a ripple effect, in our lives and the lives of others.

I believe that we have the power to cause those ripples to be a force of good.

I believe that one good deed, in essence, creates an avalanche of good deeds (when paid forward).

I believe we are all inherently good and will choose the higher road when it matters most.

I believe that the answer is always love.

The heART 108 series tab is located directly below the Unfolding Creatively banner above. This tab will list each of the paintings, the date, and where it was gifted along with a picture. This will allow for accountability and a place to document the progress of this project. I'm exciting to finally put this plan into action!

With much love,