January 21, 2010 tip o' the day

Every once in awhile I find it helpful to immerse oneself in the creations of another culture. Look at the art, read the literature, watch the movies, and eat the food. A few months ago I was on an Indian kick and watched a weeks worth of suspenseful Bollywood style films, cooked some Indian food and glanced through some books on Hindu art. One week it is Asian, another Mexican, and even occasional different cultures within the United States like deep south Outsider Art , literature, and food sometimes influences me. I just find that this really opens the mind and if you already immerse yourself in one or two of these cultures then just remember to switch it up a bit for variety. Your mind and tastebuds are hungry for it.