It's hard to surpass Leonard Cohen when it comes to every aspect of inspiration and spirituality. He writes amazing song/poems and I understand he will be touring (first time in 15 years) and playing at the Glastonbury Music Festival. He manages to conjoin the essence of the mystery of physical love and the ecstasy of holy worship. (He was in a Zen monastery for 7 years or so.) This young whipper-snapper (73) seems to have a new woman, Anjani, (also a talented performer) in his life too!
I walked into this empty church--I had no place else to go--when the sweetest voice I ever heard came whispering to my soul. I don't need to be forgiven for loving you so much. It's written in the scriptures, it's written there in blood. I even heard the angels declare it from above--There ain't no cure, there ain't no cure, there ain't no cure for love. Leonard Cohen There Ain't No Cure For Love. Stranger Music
One of my favorite inspiring figures in my life is Pedro Almodovar, a Spanish director, screenwriter and producer that makes some of the most incredible films to ever grace the screen.
His stories have such great depth and insight, and are so vivid and visually captivating that you experience every emotion - happiness, sadness, pain, grief - that the characters do. There is no other film director whose movies make me feel as alive and overwhelmed with emotion as much as Almodovar.
Here are some of the best scenes from some of my favorite movies of his:
Volver (2006) Edited by: GranolaJoe on Feb 18, 2008 9:29:31 AM
"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
I just heard this song the other day that really inspired me. It's called "Johnny & June" by Heidi Newfield - it might seem kind of silly but Johnny Cash and June Carter had such a strong love and this song really captures that. Also, I love "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan. You didn't really mention books or authors, but I just finished "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck and it was absolutely amazing. Steinbeck really created an amazing picture of nature and the way the farmers and migrant workers were connected to the land.
I just heard this song the other day that really inspired me. It's called "Johnny & June" by Heidi Newfield - it might seem kind of silly but Johnny Cash and June Carter had such a strong love and this song really captures that. Also, I love "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan. You didn't really mention books or authors, but I just finished "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck and it was absolutely amazing. Steinbeck really created an amazing picture of nature and the way the farmers and migrant workers were connected to the land.
I'll have to check out that song. I'm a Johnny Cash fan and I was really impressed by the love he shared with June Carter. It was really devastating when she died and he died soon after. I can only imagine the kind of heartbreak he experienced and how it must have consumed him. I took solace in the idea that somehow he had rejoined her, and hopefully their spirits are happy.
We can also post book authors here. I enjoyed "The Grapes of Wrath" as well, and read the book about 9 years ago when I was in school. To this day I still remember just how emotionally overwhelming the story is.
I really like books where you learn about characters' lives very deeply and experience every emotion they do. Three of my favorites are "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb, "Monkey Hunting" by Christina Garcia, and "The Tattooed Soldier" by Hector Tobar.
"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
Josh Groban "Don't give up (you are loved)". That brought me out of a four year funk and I wept for days after hearing that song. His voice and the lyrics really broke through a lot of walls I had built inside.
Brule' "Ode To Nature". Do you ever have a song that just seems to move thru you? This is mine. I completely feel the drums, I get goosebumps and sometimes, if I've been stuffing my feelings, it makes me totally release.
I also like Heart and Evanescence, Dead Can Dance, AC/DC, Foreigner, Journey, Collective Soul, STYX, Jana (American Indian and awesome voice!)........and so much more.
I also love Josh Groban's Dont give up...His music stirs up such powerful feelings of connectedness and belonging that just makes you feel better...
I also like Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring and You raise me up by Josh Groban
However, my absolute favorite band right now is Switchfoot...Their lyrics are so poetic and powerful...In their own words they sing about "transcendent truth" and how ordinary folks{like myself} wrestle with defining and/or embracing the everyday nuances of life.
I would recommend Awakening by Switchfoot, the Blues by Switchfoot, Twenty four by Switchfoot and Dare you to move...
