the LIFESTYLE Collective builds. Welcome to the premiere of our newest weekly series: The Porch Swing. the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities.
WE, P and V, share our original visual arts and music projects at the top of the week on Mondays. On Thursdays we showcase Snapshots from the Collective, a series that is driven by photography contributions from ANY individuals. Fridays alternate between Talk of the Town, a series that serves as a discussion and dialogue forum, and the Feature Series, which presents international artists’ perspectives on Reflection and Response. The Porch Swing now opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we will feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations. We leave the choice of medium in the artist’s hands to mold their Reflection and Response.
We are PROUD to present our first resident, Samuel Bostick, who will join us on The Porch Swing and engage the LIFESTYLE Arts Collective in dialogue through his unique blend of creative writing. Samuel kicked off our Feature Series back in September – http://the-lifestyle-rr.com/2011/09/23/feature-samuel-bostick/ – and we’re excited to break ground on this new series with an important Collective member at the helm!! Stay tuned for his WORD of the day project, coming through every Wednesday…Craft.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
SB: Aright, so this WORD of the day business is a exercise I’ve been pushing on for some time now. I find words to be pretty interesting lil gizmos. I recognize the power they carry. When I first started the WORD of the day postings via twitter, I was doing a word a day. Since then its developed into a week long process of meditation and reflection focused on one word. Quality over quantity. I don’t know what got me started on this project, that doesn’t matter so much…I like words, they breath a great rhythm to life. Now, what y’all need to do is STAY TUNED to the the LIFESTYLE’s Porch Swing series & peep the WOTD developments via twitter- @THEREALSHANTS.
Stay cool,
Samuel
Vision, n. 1) a- The faculty of sight. b- Something that is or has been seen. 2) Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight. 3) The manner in which one sees or conceives of something. 4) A mental image produced by the imagination. 5) The mystical experience of seeing as if with the eyes the supernatural or a supernatural being. 6) A person or thing of extraordinary beauty.
WORD of the day: Vision
In this hour, that of the haunting, Do not fall ill to weakness.
Strength in its Truest is steadfast in diligence
Diligent especially when the will is weak.
Understand, Focus is at the root of Vision and Diligence is the fruit.
Vision present in the experience of a moment,
The smile of a young child
Vision wise to see down the road,
preparation for winter’s chill while the summer is yet sweet
Vision Faithful in times when the light is dim, when the road is dark
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.
who or what shall we fear lest our eyes, our vision, fall short of faith?
Vision…
do not fall victim to appearances, masks of deception; as an image is warped by the clearest and purest of waters, this world is manipulated by the appearance.
Do not be confused.
remove yourself from the place where confusion dwells
for confusion itself is a tool of the enemy. This shall surely, without fail, cloud your vision.
Have you seen a king crowned with false gold?
Imagine it!
A King adorned with fool’s gold
What a sight! A mockery at best!
Take heed:
This is a wise man, a wise woman, whom dare embrace confusion.
Guard your Vision, Stay on track…
Reflection and Response.
the LIFESTYLE 
[…] the day project which centers on a word presented with his personal blend of creative writing. His first and second posts bring new light to classic vocabulary. Stay with us as he presents another piece […]
[…] resident artist, Samuel Bostick. Last week we kicked off The Porch Swing series with Samuel’s first installation in his ongoing WORD of the day project, which will come through every Wednesday. Stay tuned as he […]
This is a DOPE analysis and response to the word Vision, which has various meanings that apply differently in different contexts. I think Samuel weaves all of these definitions together in a thought-provoking way that highlights the common thread between them as well – which I think is a certain steady consciousness and clarity, an ability to “disconnect” from confusion, stay true, and stay in motion.
Samuel describes the definitions of the word: “Vision present in the experience of a moment…Vision wise to see down the road…Vision Faithful in times when the light is dim, when the road is dark.” These may seem very different but I think Vision in the moment, Vision as preparation or forethought, and Vision in terms of diligence and faith are all built from the same state of mind. Vision in all these senses can also similarly be “warped” and “confused,” which is why Samuel importantly claims that you have to guard YOUR vision.
Lookin forward to seeing this project develop!!