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March 11, 2013 / art

A life lesson by Marina Abramovic and Ulay

Marina and Ulay © 2010 Scott Ruddwww.scottruddphotography.com

Take a few minutes to watch this:

Marina Abromovic and Ulay started an intense love story in the 70s, performing art out of the van they lived in. When they felt the relationship had run its course, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting for one last big hug in the middle and never seeing each other again.

At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, where she shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her. Ulay arrived without her knowing and this is what happened

This short video has such a powerful message that it has brought me down to a stream of tears.

After watching it, I started thinking the following: What if we all had one minute to meet again with that person that is no longer in our life? A person that we never stopped loving, a deceased family member, a lost friend, a broken relationship – doesn’t matter. Just right now, stop and think – what would you do or say in that one minute? Would you use it to say ‘I Love You’ one last time? To say ‘I’m sorry friend, I really miss you’ and surrender to forgiveness? Or to hug your loving parents and tell them “I couldn’t be here without you, you are my everything”.

Whatever it is, take a minute today to be thankful – take a minute away from your busy Monday, from the “I didn’t get to sleep in” and the “damn daylight savings!” and instead, picture those you love the most. Think how lucky you are to be alive and how blessed you feel of having them in your life. It just takes one quick minute to be thankful, but the bliss of feeling loved will last you the whole day.

Try it. Make a small, positive change and see what happens.

“Because We Never Stop Loving Silently Those We Once Loved Out Loud”

Via / IMAGE: Scott Rudd Photography

Thanks to my friend Miriam for sharing this

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Reader Interactions

15 Comments

  1. Sandra says

    March 11, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Beautiful. Sitting here crying too. Powerful.

  2. Kait says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:11 am

    Wow, so powerful and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

  3. Jen says

    March 11, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Now I’m crying! I needed to see and hear this today. Thank you.

    • Gabriel says

      March 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      Anytime miss Jen, happy to inject some positivity in your day!

  4. Rosa @ FLUTTER FLUTTER says

    March 11, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    This is amazing. So powerful, and I love your words. A great reminder. Sharing it!

    • Gabriel says

      March 12, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      My pleasure Rosa!

  5. Camy says

    March 25, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    When you truly love a person, that love never really goes away. Not even in years after a breakup. But some romances and some people are better left behind in order to progress in life :)

    • Gabriel says

      March 25, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      Beautiful words Camy! So, true – sometimes, as painful as it is, you must move on.

      • Camy says

        April 26, 2013 at 1:58 pm

        Indeed :) And just because it’s a right thing to do, doesn’t mean it hurts any less.

  6. E. says

    March 28, 2013 at 11:01 am

    I love this post! I saw the documentary on Marina and this piece and I was incredibly moved by it too. Thanks for reminding me today.

    x E.

    • Gabriel says

      March 30, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      AH! I haven’t watched it yet, I think I’m gonna look for it this weekend.

  7. Susanne says

    June 27, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I am going to see this person in 3 weeks after 35 years.
    Seeing this video made me wonder…
    I might break down and cry.

    • Gabriel says

      June 27, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Wow! So jealous!! And if that happens to be it! Enjoy the moment :)

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