Until our strength is tested~ Our mettle measured~ We have no idea how strong we are… But gently stand assured🙏 We are always stronger than THEY think we are I know from first-hand experience~ Strength comes from self-love… But stronger still~ From loving those we stand for💓

Remembering David Hockney, he was kind and always had a sparkle in his eye. He never stopped experimenting and is one of the finest painters of our generation.

La luz del día... ...en proceso

So long David Hockney A life well lived ,filled with what he loved. Always searching and reinventing, not afraid of technology but always going back to painting and drawing. Loved his large drawings from life.

Bravo Izzy👍 Small things can have have massive outcomes~ in the way that almost imperceptibly small changes can bring catastrophic failure I took these 4 photos here~ to explore the beauty of age-rusted artefacts… Yet rust can sink supertankers & decay can corrode dedication!

🐬🌊 ¿Os gusta el efecto del agua y las montañas de fondo?#ArteInstagram #DrawingProcess #ColorPencil #MisDibujos

Reimagining Communication: The Hidden Lesson in the Details This week, I wrote a series of posts about communication and the importance of understanding another person’s perspective. To close out the series, I want to share a hidden lesson that was built into the visuals from the very beginning. Throughout the week, every quote image contained the same background. Most people never mentioned it. Many may not have noticed it at all. And that’s exactly the point. Did You Notice the Gazebo? On Sunday, I introduced this series using images of a gazebo. Throughout the week, that same gazebo remained quietly in the background of every quote. I did it intentionally. Not to see who was paying attention. But to highlight something important about communication. Effective communication goes far beyond the words we speak or write. It depends on our ability to notice. To notice subtle shifts in expression. To hear changes in tone. To recognise when someone’s energy changes. To observe what isn’t being said as carefully as what is. Noticing the gazebo in the background is no different. The detail was always there. The question is whether we were present enough to see it. Communication works the same way. When we train ourselves to notice the quiet details in our interactions, we become less reactive and more understanding. We stop filling gaps with assumptions. We listen more carefully. We respond more thoughtfully. And we create space for genuine connection. The gazebo never changed. The perspective did. Listen to understand. Speak to be understood. #amandaray #Communication #Perspective #EmotionalIntelligence #CriticalThinking #selfLeadership

"There is peace even in the storm." — Vincent van Gogh

Dibujo boceto a lápiz inspirado en la mítica foto de Iggy Pop por Mick Rock (1972)

Practicando un poco de dibujo

According to data published on 3 June 26, as of 22 May 2026 there were 14,086 eligible applicants to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. The Post Office is still processing a backlog of claims and expects this figure to rise further:

On 17 June, a First Tier Tribunal will decide whether the ICO was right in its decision not to force the PO to disclose its secret Horizon Shortfall Scheme Case Assessment Principles and Case Assessment Guidance. A previous thread, below, includes the original ICO reasoning:

Referring to the Horizon Scandal as a ‘shocking abuse’ & ‘massive Government error’ the PAC this week pressed DBT’s Carl Creswell to fully investigate where the money went which was paid by SPMs to balance non-existent shortfalls:  committees.parliament.uk/ora…

Mate, this one of the most honest things I have read in a long time. The line between boundaries & avoidance is everything. Life can't be curated into comfort. Resilience isn't found in the absence of difficulty. It's found in the decision to stay present with it. ❤️ @AmandaRay02

We've confused curating our environment with building ourselves. One is maintenance. The other is growth.

The Great Emotional Double Standard We worry about algorithms creating echo chambers where we never have to encounter ideas we dislike. Yet we’re increasingly doing the same thing in our emotional lives. Every time we share quotes about “protecting our peace,” “cutting off anyone who drains our energy,” or “only spending time with people who bring out the best in us,” we’re curating a human experience free from discomfort, friction, or inconvenience. We’re building emotional echo chambers. Before anyone misunderstands me, healthy boundaries matter. No one should tolerate abuse, manipulation, or toxic behaviour. As someone who stayed too long in a domestic violence relationship, I understand why boundaries are essential. That’s exactly why I think it’s important to distinguish between boundaries and avoidance. One protects us from harm; the other can disconnect us from the realities of being human. Psychologists make this distinction too. Boundaries protect us while allowing us to remain engaged with life. Avoidance may reduce discomfort in the short term, but it leaves us less equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges. We encourage people to support those who are struggling, yet increasingly promote the idea that anyone who brings stress, complexity, or discomfort into our lives should be removed from them. The problem with highly curated social media advice is that it teaches us how to eliminate discomfort but rarely how to navigate it. It celebrates self‑protection but spends far less time talking about resilience, patience, responsibility, and the skills required to live alongside imperfect human beings. We cannot block grief. We cannot mute a loved one’s illness. We cannot unfollow a family crisis. Life is beautiful because it is uncurated. The goal isn’t to create a world where nothing feels difficult. The goal is to become resilient enough to meet life’s difficulties with courage, compassion, and perspective. #AmandaRay #Resilience #SelfLeadership #CriticalThinking #MentalHealth #HumanBehavior

Healthy soil means healthy food, which means healthy bodies. The soil contains all the health we need. Microbial life, earthworms & moist rich soil ensures healthy gut. Let's keep the conversations about soil regeneration going🌱💚 #ConsciousPlanet #worldenvironmentday

Good #selfleadership is bringing out the best in people, not the worst #soulinspiredleadership #personaldevelopment

🫶☀️

Vincent van Gogh

Your last line - "Be human, not necessarily perfect" holds a profound meaning for life. Anyone who has implemented it has learned how to live life. 🙏