Inspiring graffiti on a warehouse in Pa'ia on Maui

I’m used to seeing graffiti. I think it enters my line of sight more than I realize because I’ve desensitized myself to the often barely legible writing spray painted on buildings.

This bit of graffiti, however, flew out at me. It’s not in a typical graffiti font. It’s not a gang marking. I even hesitate to call it graffiti. The single word: INSPIRE instantly lifts my spirit. It is, in fact, inspiring.

I can feel the word imprint on my forehead, sinking in like blue water on a sponge. And I feel a great joy and delight in not only my experience of seeing it, but also what I imagine the person writing it must have been feeling at the time; the message he or she wanted to share with the world.

I am inspired to inspire others. And so it ripples out, beyond Pa’ia, beyond Maui, beyond me to you.

Love Water Tower in Portland

The more I read, the more I confirmation I get that love is really all there is. Everything begins and grows from love. And love, just love, is the answer for everything.

The first few times I encountered this idea, I wasn’t quite buying it. But it’s really grown on me.  When I stop and think about it, and get to what’s at the core–the very base– of everything, love seems to always be there. It’s quite a comforting thought, actually.

And a joyful thought. For what is joy if not an expression of love? Seeing even the symbols, written or drawn, of love bring me joy.

Let’s put them everywhere, shall we?

This joyful site can be spied going east on the Burnside bridge in Portland, Oregon.

Spreading love in Portland

Graffiti is a word that carries a negative connotation in our society. But sometimes graffiti can be good.

Just a couple of days ago I was walking around Portland and saw this trash can had been tagged with a heart. “Yes,” I thought to myself, “love.”

Who would have thought you could spread love through garbage? Certainly not me, but there it was. Plain, simple, clear as day. Love. Love thy brother. Love yourself. Love your life.

Love.