`All we need is love,` said the Beatles… (healthy food and a safe home, I would add, just to be accurate), and so it is.

COVID has been a global wide kick `under the belt`… In some ways, it has made us wiser, and I hope we do not forget our lessons anytime soon. Human communities at that time were so vital for people not to get `bananas`. As much as we care and invest in technology, we should focus on kindness, motherhood, creativity, art, and friendship, principles that require connection to each other. A real healthy human connection ensures not only survival but also thriving for the individual and the whole group. After all… in simple words. What to do with the spaceship when we feel like crap, right?

If you made a grimace face when I started praising human connection, hear me out. Human connection is an endeavor that many of us have to unlearn and relearn.

The human connection I am referring to is interaction and communities based on mutual trust and respect for the life of the other person, where people belong for who they are, instead of trying to fit in.

A safe community is a place where:
1 There is mutual trust
2 There is care and respect for the other beings’ lifeforce (their time, their money, their wellbeing).
2 You do not have to become smaller or bigger for the others to love and accept you.
3 There is no sacrifice, only gifting at will.
4 There is no fear

There is a race called Ferengi that has developed high-level technology achievements. As a society, they are Economy-obsessed and strictly Patriarchal, opportunistic, and value negotiation and violence.

Here are some of their favorite quotes:

• The best deal is the one that brings the most profit.
• War is good for business.
• Peace is good for business.
• Never place friendship above profit.
• Greed is eternal..
• Treat people in your debt like family: exploit them.

The stories from Star Trek are fictional, but very real at the same time. There is no such equation where highly developed technology equates to a developed consciousness.

On this note, I would like to make a book recommendation that addresses this topic. It is the book of Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and incredibly gifted writer. In her book `Daring Greatly` How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
She has shared numerous valuable insights about belonging versus fitting, as well as many other topics that are very significant for building safe community units. I highly recommend her book!

Starvation for connection causes loneliness, which is unfortunately far from an isolated or rare experience nowadays. Research across populations and continents confirms that it is common at all stages of life, and increasingly recognized as a major public health issue due to its mental and physical health consequences.

Adults (≥ 60 years)

• Around 1 in 4 older adults worldwide experience loneliness.
• Loneliness in older age is linked to increased risk of depression, cognitive decline, and early mortality.

Adults (≥ 80 years)

• Among people aged 80 and above, over 50% report at least moderate loneliness.

All Life Stages Are Affected

Regardless of age, loneliness is strongly linked to:

• Depression and anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Cardiovascular risk
• A 26–32% increased risk of early death

Deprivation of connection is growing. We feel more and more lonely, although there is the internet and we can travel by plane all over the world.

It is up to us all to change these unfortunate stats. What it takes is for us to look people in the eye when we talk to them and realize they have needs and wants just as much as we do; they aren’t robots. We are all in the same boat, whether we like it or not.

Sources for loneliness reseach:

• Surkalim, D. L. et al. (2022). Prevalence of loneliness across 113 countries. BMJ. Link
• Cobo-Rendón, R. et al. (2024). Global prevalence of loneliness among older adults: A meta-analysis. International Psychogeriatrics. Link
• Hajek, A. et al. (2023). Loneliness and social isolation in the oldest old: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Link
• Holt-Lunstad, J. et al. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science. Link

The only thing that separates us as human beings from artificial intelligence is emotion. If there is no emotion, then we remain just a program that functions automatically according to the instructions given to it by its programmer. The instructions might be to survive under difficult conditions, or to perform tasks in service of an industry, or even to imitate emotions to satisfy its creator or those who purchased it.

When the next model comes out, or if its services are no longer satisfactory, a robot can be thrown away without moral hesitation — because it remains an object.

Sometimes I wonder if many people are robots. Many avoid feeling, they try to suppress it, with the result that the innate ability we have as human beings becomes numb. Emotions and sensations are often an unpleasant experience — I understand that. We don’t live in an ideal world, and looking at history, it never was. The world contains everything: poverty and wealth, love and hatred, prostitution, creation, sea, air, war, and art. All these conditions are completely different, which means they provoke everything from the most painful, unbearable feelings to the most beautiful, life-giving ones. If someone feels, they cannot choose exactly what they will feel from a menu. It’s like a stew — you eat it exactly as it is.

The question is…

– Is it pleasant? Yes and no.A logical answer would be,
– Well then! Better not to feel at all and be done with it!
– I’m safe by keeping my distance from all that.
– But in that way, you’ll lose your ability to feel. It will atrophy like a muscle you never exercise, like a leg you keep in a cast forever. You might never be able to walk again when the cast comes off after years.
– Well, then let me lose it — at least I’ll have my peace!
– Alright, as you wish, but just know that if you function only through the program, then it’s not really you operating. It’s your programmer — society, your parents, your ancestors and their ancestors.
– Fine. Let it be so. They survived and did good things with their lives. Let it be.
– Okay, just don’t forget: if you’re only operating with the program, you’re no different from a robot.
– Well then! You’re paying me a compliment. I wish! Robots are so precise — I wish I could function with such precision.

if you don’t feel, you’ll never create.
And if you never create, you’ll never truly live.

The choice is yours.
Do you want to be a disposable object — or alive as a creator?

– what if a robot could authentically feel?

– Then… it would be like a human

– What will happen then?

*Photo by Tamara Gak on Unsplash – This picture is not Aria by Realbotix but an abstract picture to fit the theme of the blog

Featured Photo by Emilipothèse on Unsplash

• What if Romeo and Juliet (from the famous tragedy of the 16th century by W. Shakespeare) did not take the poison…?
• What if the young Werther (from Goethe`s foundational work of Literature `The Sorrows of Young Werther`) would leave Lotte and move on…?
• What if someone told the wandering miller ` from the Die schöne Müllerin` of Schubert that stalking his love interest is not a language of love?

These foundational works of literature and Art have one thing in common, their heroes take pride in their pain. Suffering is seen as an act of grace. From today’s modern perspective, this is considered dysfunctional, but that does not seem to change the fact that romanticizing the pain of romantic suffering remains a bestseller for centuries being one of the biggest money-maker themes in the entertainment industry!

Before the aforementioned pieces of art and literature were created, there were ancient Greek Tragedies like Medea, and Antigone (among others), which also demonstrated suffering, but simultaneously delivered evenly through the whole play many different messages of deep wisdom to the audience. They were complex and multilayered.

Later there is a new phenomenon making its appearance with the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet` creating a whole domino effect in the field of arts.

Among others Goethe (Literature) and Schubert (Composer) followed the new wave, as well as Rachmaninov (Composer) Prokofiev (Composer), Arthur Laurents wrote `The West Side Story` mapping Shakespeare’s story, and numerous films followed this schema up until the moderns times with the talented pop-stars Tailor Swift and Billie Eilish!

Romantic pain sells, and no one can deny it. There is a magnetism to it that did not get past the radar of singers, songwriters, and filmmakers across centuries.

Pain is real, it has to be processed. But making a permanent station there does not seem a very nice idea… Or does it? What happens when the alluring fantasy gets real?

Let`s zoom into a phenomenon in Europe called `Werther Fever` (late 18th century shortly after the novel’s publication in 1774) where Young men took their own lives in imitation of their hero Werther.

The Sorrows of Young Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a foundational work of romantic Literature. In this novel, the protagonist takes his own life in the name of a romantic disappointment. Taking pride in suffering and idolizing pain is the main theme.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – ROMEO AND JULIET

If you never heard about Romeo and Juliet it is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, who is considered to be one of the most renowned playwrights and poets in the English language.

Here is the plot of the tragedy in a nutshell:

The protagonists are two young innocent characters. Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love! The families of the protagonists are dealing with a Vendetta which makes Romeo and Juliet’s relationship a big scandalous secret. In the name of their love, the characters swear to stay connected forever, even if that means… the afterlife.

Shocked by the death of their children, their families wake up from their ego trip and make amends. The final scenes of the final act show how important it is to forget about rivalries in the name of peace and prosperity. This is a great message, much needed in our human societies. But rarely is the play remembered for that, understandably because the main part of the play is focused on idolizing the allure and the play between beauty and pain between the two main protagonists.

Shakespeare`s well-written script, and clever scenes with some charismatic actors, can make Romeo and Juliet“s relationship an alluring fantasy! A dangerous one!

TAILOR SWIFT- I HATE IT HERE

If you never heard about Tailor Swift. She is a very accomplished talented pop-star. Here is an example of her main theme.

Song title: TODAY

I’m lonely, but I’m good

I’m bitter, but I swear I’m fine

I’ll save all my romanticism for my

inner life and I’ll get lost on purpose

This place made me feel worthless

Lucid dreams like electricity,

the current flies through

• Would it be a time when we had collectively enough of the same old tragedy and got bored of wandering in the fantasy land of graceful suffering?
• Do you think we are processing emotions in our society or normalizing an addiction to pain?

*icon by Wickalien

featured image :  indebted to the Database of Mid-Victorian Illustration and The Illustration Archive, directed by Prof. Julia Thomas

Negative feedback could be constructive or malicious. Good feedback could be flattery or honest admiration. Being able to differentiate and make this a constructive process for yourself, is dependent on how well you stand your ground as a person. How strong is your confidence, self-awareness, and level of ego?

Being able to listen to criticism good or bad, is a sign that you keep developing as an Artist. But -listening to criticism- and -implying it in your work-, are two different things.

All Artists have been at that place – We polished our Music performance or wrote our new theater Play, or Poem. When our piece is ready we all wonder:

– Can it be better before I present my work?

Questioning can be a very productive process, but also a bottomless pit of stress because the process of `getting better` never stops – a double-edged sword! I choose to see it this way: There is always more depth to reach, and skills can be always better polished, which keeps the process inspiring and fun!

One has to find the golden middle about when `getting better is enough` to go on stage/deliver an Illustration. A deadline usually helps a lot. :)

In the process of development, it helps to get feedback from:

• our trusted mentors ( By the way, great mentors never tell you exactly what to do…)
• renowned Professionals in our field
• friends who are creative too
• random people who do not know your background
• kids! (There is a Greek proverb that says `From kids and eccentrics you will know the truth`)

Not only asking for feedback is important, but being willing to listen as well!

A new creation is like our baby, we could get frustrated quickly when listening to especially negative criticism… Good or bad feedback, remember that it is all criticism, and opinions that are relative to the eye of the observer. This will give you a new perspective(s) on your creation. This is incredibly valuable! Beware that you might receive:

• a new perspective
• constructive critisism
• negative criticism

Once you listened carefully you should learn how to cherrypick. This will only make you grow greater as an Artist! But remember, you are always in charge of your Creation, you decide at the end!

A new creation is like our baby, we could get frustrated quickly when listening to especially negative criticism… Good or bad feedback, remember that it is all criticism, and opinions that are relative to the eye of the observer. This will give you a new perspective(s) on your creation. This is incredibly valuable! Beware that you might receive:

• a new perspective
• constructive critisism
• negative criticism

Once you listened carefully you should learn how to cherrypick. This will only make you grow greater as an Artist! But remember, you are always in charge of your Creation, you decide at the end!

*Featured Image by Image by interiorlens from pixabay.com

Back with a topic on Creativity!

We are all born creative, but not all embrace it as much. I try to follow where creativity leads me as much as possible. When it is not possible, I will do all I can and wait until it becomes possible!

Creativity belongs to self-development and growth.

If you want to be more creative, there is a serious commitment you need to make with your creativity! Just with life-long relationships that are meaningful to you. You cannot have a `Situationship` with your creativity if you envision tapping back into your creative powers again. The process requires care, attention, patience, and love!

An important highlight on the topic of paying attention to your creativity is to keep listening where `the winds of creativity flow at the moment!`. The direction could change from what it used to be 30, 10, or 2 years ago. This is normal, as you evolve your creativity evolves together with you. Being able to change fronts is an essential part of the process.

The other problematic topic when one engages their creative powers I call `the syndrome of thousand ideas`. Creative people tend to have so many ideas coming right at them, sometimes they feel lost. What helped me, to avoid procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed with many things at a time is the following: I make a list of all ideas. Then I read it carefully, maybe saying it out loud. Then I get alert on the feeling that comes up. Sure thing, each idea has a different feel to it. I go for what feels the most joyful and fun.

Please note: going further with the idea surely involves hard work, and not everything will be joyful and fun all the time… This is normal. But if you feel like things get a bad turn for real, it is never too late to quit one direction, (usually) after your creative project has been completed.

There is always a lesson involved in any creative project involved, successful or not. The best attitude is to realize that wisdom you gained, and go forth to the `next thing` that feels right for you. Regarding all of the above, it becomes apparent that one needs to be brave to find into their creative process. Getting the support of a mentor is very helpful on that note. All acquaintances or friends do not have to agree or understand where you are going with your creativity. That is okay, and it does not matter because your creativity belongs to you.

Happy Spring! :)

*Photo by Jr Korpa

We are all born creative—it is our natural state and a fundamental part of who we are. Below are all the scientific sources I have collected, which provide proof that all humans have the capacity to be creative.

Creativity is not only a gift but also a vital tool for personal growth and well-being. The way we nurture our creativity throughout life plays a key role in how much we enjoy and engage with the world around us.

As we grow older, life’s stresses and responsibilities can suppress our creativity, causing it to fade. The intensity and frequency of challenges, combined with how we process them, can create barriers to our creative expression. However, the good news is that we can always reconnect with our creativity! The key is making a conscious choice to do so.

No matter where you are or what you do, there are countless opportunities to infuse creativity into your daily routine. Small, intentional actions can help unlock your creative potential and keep your imagination alive.

Each person has their own path to rediscovering and strengthening their creative abilities. Here are some simple activities to help you reconnect with your creative side: is that we can always reconnect with our creativity! The key is making a conscious choice to do so.

No matter where you are or what you do, there are countless opportunities to infuse creativity into your daily routine. Small, intentional actions can help unlock your creative potential and keep your imagination alive.

Each person has their own path to rediscovering and strengthening their creative abilities. Here are some simple activities to help you reconnect with your creative side:

Creativity is always within you—you just need to say YES to it!

My sources that provide scientific evidence on creativity being an inherent part of the human brain:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):

Neuroscience of Creativity A comprehensive overview of neuroscientific research on creativity, examining genetics, brain structure, and function. Concludes that creativity involves multiple interacting brain networks, making it a universal human trait. mitpress.mit.edu

Creative Connections: Computational Semantic Distance Captures Individual Creativity and Resting-State Functional Connectivity

Used computational methods to analyze how the brain generates novel ideas. Found that creativity relies on interactions between different brain regions, reinforcing the idea that creative potential exists in everyone. direct.mit.edu

Harvard University:

Can Memory Be Related to Creative Cognition? Featured in Harvard Magazine, this article discusses research linking memory processes to creative thinking. The study suggests that the ability to generate new ideas by recombining information in novel ways is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, indicating an inherent capacity for creativity. harvardmagazine.com