New Year's Resolution: Fail with Joy

Illustration from Uncle Lubin, by W. H. Robinson

For other over-stressed Western achievers, allow me to recommend a new way of being successful: don't seek success. Seek adventure.

There are people who talk about narrative psychology and how people choose to reflect on universal life experiences, such as failure. One such person is Carol Dweck, who made an appearance on To the Best of Our Knowledge. In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dweck argues that it's our response to failure that makes a difference. Children who see their failure as an opportunity for growth are more successful and take more risks than those who see their failure as a measure of their innate abilities.

So, friends, let's seek adventure. Perhaps it will lead to failure, but won't that be better than staying home?

Witnesses of Tolerance

Tolerance, by Jaume Plensa
via glasstire

Driving through Houston, you may discover the seven sculptures of Tolerance by Jaume Plensa. At night, they are illuminated and sit like peaceful guardians, keeping watch over the city.

The figures are composed on individual letters. The artist grew up with a love for books and sees each letter as a symbol of the individual. Together, the letters come together to create language, culture, and humanity. 

Sacred Space: Chartres Cathedral

It's time for another pilgrimage, friends!

This time, we'll visit the great cathedral of Chartres, completed in 1290. (My husband and I visited the cathedral just this summer, while it was undergoing renovations. It's amazing how light the stone became when renovated; it's a completely different space--light and happy. We're looking forward to seeing again some day when the renovations are complete.)

Chartres is famous for its beautiful, old stained glass. Much of it is a gorgeously rich blue color. Besides the lovely colors, the artists creatively portrayed the classic stories of the Bible. One of the most famous windows is called the "Blue Virgin." Below her are panels depicting Christ's temptations and the wedding at Cana. (Isn't it a lovely transformational image? struggle with the shadow → marriage of opposites → wisdom...)

The "Blue Virgin" of Chartres, taken by me

Chartres is also famous for its labyrinth, which visitors can still walk along each Friday in the summer. I love labyrinths, because they symbolize the great faith required in spiritual wandering. As you walk, you wonder, when will I reach the center? But the beautiful thing is, you always do reach the center, the rose of enlightenment. You're never lost.

from the book Alle Tiders Labyrinter, by Jørgen Thordrup, via Lavigne

Sacred Space: Rothko Chapel

Let's make a pilgrimage to the Rothko Chapel. It's in Houston, Texas, but let's just travel by spirit.

While Rothko drew from Christian symbols, such as a triptych to represent the crucifixion and the octagonal shape to represent a basilica, I love how the space is open to any spiritual pilgrim.

I love the dark, rich colors of the canvases. Are the viewers being invited to confront their souls, the vast unknown, the mystery of the other?

Number 8, Black Form Paintings, Mark Rothko

I, for one, find these paintings surprisingly comforting and peaceful.

(A word of advice: if you visit the chapel in person, try to go on a day with lots of light—the paintings in the chapel depend on natural light, like the stained glass windows of older cathedrals.)