Treasures of Wonderment
An online magazine promoting positive change through creative living: stories, featured artists and a writer's corner.
Updated: 16 hours 54 min ago
Support Humanitarian Activities
World Humanitarian Day - 19 August 2010. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. "Better acceptance of humanitarian work by state and non-state actors alike is desperately needed. The vast majority of aid workers come from the countries in which they work. Preventing them from doing their work harms no-one more than the most vulnerable. Today is a good time for a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles by all concerned." (See below, a film shot in over 40 countries)
Pure Cacao Good for your Heart
What happens when a small town, Montana woman decides to jump, without a net, into a new life in tropical paradise and a foreign world of unknown parameters? It’s surprising, it’s scary and it’s a whole lot of fun! This time Lisa takes us into the making of pure chocolate on the South Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Central America. Cacao is Spanish for cocoa. It grows on a tree, which bears a fruit containing seeds that look similar to coffee beans. That’s where chocolate comes from.
I See
Betty HoubionMoon rose up
over half Mother Earth,
filtered light upon
the prairie seed, and
in the winter blue of night,
she called my name.
The Pages of our Lives
Maria ChouchtariHow does one index the pages of our lives?
Do we put it in alphabetical order
Or by sentiments, like love?
Does it really need to be cataloged, have an author, an editor or a page setting,
A Guru, priest or a publisher, an ISBN code reference, a proof reader, some graphics?
Ask Me
Betty HoubionAsk me about the beautiful bird formation
at the beach yesterday,
of how eighty to one hundred birds
flew in elongated intertwining ribbons,
formations from south to north
along the berm of shore,
Jean Jacques YÉM
Jean-Jacques YÉM dit Nlomkop Dikoa né le 25 février 1954 à Douala (Cameroun) . Chercheur indépendant dans la Pensée Africaine. Fondateur et Directeur Artistique de "AFRIKA BIKONDA". Troupe Artistique Professionnelle pluridimentionnelle (Théâtre - Poésie - Chant - Danse - Chorégraphie - Drummophonie) Depuis 1984 Écrivain - Scénariste - Metteur en scène - Réalisateur - Acteur
De 1982 à 1992 Jean Jacques YEM a été Responsable des arts, de la culture et de l'animation de la jeunesse, au Secteur 4 de la Municipalité d’Abidjan-Yopougon en Côte d'Ivoire. Il a également occupé le poste d’Animateur culturel (théâtre) au Lycée Professionnel Commercial d’Abidjan-Yopougon. Auteur des textes.
Ensuite, dans la Commune d’Anyama (Côte d’Ivoire) il a été responsable, concepteur et réalisateur de programmes d'animation culturelle et artistique pour vacanciers (théâtre, danse, chorégraphie). Auteur des textes
TW Newsletter Number 17 - July 2010
Welcome to the July 2010 Treasures of Wonderment Newsletter, an online magazine promoting positive change through creative living. [Some interviews and stories are presented in two languages: French & English)
In this issue:
SEVEN MARTYRS OF TEHRAN by Ivan Lloyd
19 signed limited edition prints of this painting "The Seven Martyrs of Tehran" measuring 18"X24" exclusively for Treasures of Wonderment. This is a first come first served offer and historically the lower the number the more valuable the print. Be the first to own this magnificent work of art by ordering your print today. Read more...
UNDER ONE SUN
Look with the heart
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.
What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
“Só se vê bem com o coração.
O essencial é invisível para os olhos.”
"On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur.
L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."
Ivan Lloyd
Ivan Lloyd then traveled overland to India where he studied Art and Eastern Philosophy in Bombay as part of the Maria Montessori teachers training program. He came to America in 1972 and lived in San Francisco until he accepted a tenure as the artist-in-residence for The Southern Arizona Light Opera Company where he worked in close collaboration with the original set designers of “The Wizard of Oz” and “My Fair Lady.” As head of a select team of artists he created numerous stage sets for Theaters around the country and for eight years, between seasons, he designed “Haunted Mansions” for charitable organizations in Scottsdale, Las Vegas and Atlanta.
Lloyd draws upon his experiences in the theatre to create original artwork with an authenticy strongly influenced by his romantic exposure to other cultures. His painting style is immediately recognizable and his work adorns the walls of many prestigious homes and private collections around the world and several of his large original oil paintings are on permanent display at the Desert Rose Institute in Eloy Arizona. He has written and illustrated three books on Persian history which have been published in English and translated into Farsi.
Andrew Mboya
We are pleased to introduce Andrew mboya as a new Featured Artist on Treasures of Wonderment. Andrew was born December, 1962 in Nairobi, Kenya and has a spent most of his youth surviving with a variety of jobs including a police apprentice motor mechanic, and a freelance mechanic and a small truck driver,both in Britain and Kenya but his dream has always been to be a musician He is self taught on the guitar and his idols are Simon and Garfunkel and the Beatles who have influenced the style of guitar he plays today. He has served at the Baha'i World Center, Haifa, Israel for three years and in November of 2000 he moved to the United Statres to further his studies in aviation and graduated in May of 2005 with two diplomas in aviation studies and received an Associates Degree in applied science. With his studies behind him, he is now able to focus entirely on his music and is preparing to offer a CD of Baha’i prayers set to music.
Adam Crossley
Meet Adam Crossley, an acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer. With comparisons to Coldplay, Sting and Ryan Adams, Crossley’s melodic voice & thoughtful lyrics are gaining recognition and anticipation is building for the release of his first solo record.
Crossley was inspired by music very early in life and he began playing the piano and writing songs at the age of seven. Adam first came onto the music scene as the lead vocalist with the Nashville-based pop/rock band, 9 Point Landing. Crossley turned heads with his impressive song writing skills and captivating vocals.
Materialism
Materialism: moral and social consequences
Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, M.D.Materialism is having a devastating impact on societies and individuals throughout the world. With a focus on the moral and social consequences of materialistic mindsets and lifestyles, this book examines psychological, sociological and spiritual perspectives substantiated by extensive scientific research reported in the literature. The problem of wealth and poverty is not only an economic issue; it is also a moral dilemma. In challenging the unbridled accumulation of wealth, or the economic injustices and corruption of our modern world, the author discusses the roles of egotism, arrogance and indifference to the plight of millions who die each year from starvation and disease. Such indifference, as well as the deterioration of human behaviour, are rooted in the loss of values and spiritual perspectives on life.
Under One Sun
(Version française ci-dessous) 23 July, 2010 - A special interview with Geneviève Labbé, singer and songwriter extraordinaire conveying a message of hope, love and unity to all the children. Geneviève who lives in Québec has traveled around the the world to share her message of peace. An artist who wishes to offer all she can using her music and voice.
We Are as the Flute
RumiWe are as the flute, and the music in us is from thee;
we are as the mountain and the echo in us is from thee.
We are as pieces of chess engaged in victory and defeat:
our victory and defeat is from thee, O thou whose qualities are comely!
Who are we, O Thou soul of our souls,
that we should remain in being beside thee?
L’Islam et la Foi Bahá’íe
L’Islam et la Foi Bahá’íe: Réflexions offertes à mes Compatriotes Nord-Africains en Europe
« Parmi les questions d’ordre religieux qui préoccupent les esprits des Musulmans en ce moment, se trouvent la situation de l’Islam et la condition des Musulmans. J’ai choisi quelques concepts qui prévalent dans les esprits, pour les présenter de façon brève dans les pages de ce livre, et les discuter selon ma compréhension, éclairée par la lumière des Enseignements Bahá’ís.
House Divided
A House Divided: flash movie
Around the world, as we assemble, In every mosque and church and temple
We intone our dedication; To become one congregation
Now the sun of truth has risen; We will break out of this prison
God of mercy, God of thunder; Help us tear the walls asunder
Steven King
Acclaimed fingerstyle guitar master, Steven King
"When it comes to repertoire, it’s hard to top Steven King. The 19 challenging tunes arranged for solo fingerstyle flat-top on "Acoustic Swing" range from Zawinul’s ‘Birdland’ to Mancini’s ‘Dreamsville‘ to the bop classic ‘Anthropology.’ Despite the extreme technical demands of his orchestral-sounding arrangements, King has fun with music by Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. He cut these swinging, polyphonically dense tracks live over a four-day period, which means he carries all this wonderful music around in his head. That’s humbling. " --- Guitar Player Magazine
Nordic Voices
Version française ci-dessous - Oslo, Norway — Since his breakthrough as a composer more than 30 years ago, Lasse Thoresen has been searching for a musical language that brings the world's diverse cultures together. Now, one of his innovative vocal works is being acclaimed for the similarities it draws between ancient and modern, as well as Scandinavian folk music and sounds more associated with the Middle East. The piece, titled Opus 42, has won a prestigious music award.
Voix Nordiques
Version française de l'article 'Nordic Voices' - Oslo, Norvège, 07/07/10 - Depuis sa percée, il y a plus de 30 ans comme compositeur, Lasse Thoresen a mené des recherches sur un langage musical qui rassemble les diverses cultures mondiales. Aujourd’hui, l’une de ses compositions vocales d’avant-garde a été acclamée pour les similitudes qu’elle présente entre le moderne et l’ancien, ainsi qu’entre la musique folklorique norvégienne et les sons que l’on associe généralement au Moyen-Orient. L’œuvre intitulée Opus 42 a été l’objet d’une récompense prestigieuse.
