S2. 11 - OVERWHELMED BY BEAUTY | STENDHAL SYNDROME

Musings from St Paul de Vence after an encounter with a Finnish art teacher and painter who had spent all afternoon in the village and returned, simply overcome with emotion.  She muttered the words - “Stendhal Syndrome” - as a way of expressing what had overcome her. A vague recollection of its meaning and I was on the right path, as I had experienced it myself as a young twenty something coming to St Paul de Vence in France for the very first time,  Once a winter enclave for artists and writers, it became a home to them as they were respected, fed and watered here, in exchange for their artistic offerings and now, it is a storied place for the history and art that hangs in almost every building.  Musings into this deep emotional trigger in a beautiful and soulful way. that contrasts so starkly with the emotional triggers of news and events and U.N speeches by a U.S leader who can barely string a sentence and wholly lacks in decency, let alone artistic flair or elegance.  Also musings into art and literature as a common love language when you do not share a tongue in common. So moved was she by the art and art history that she moved me just as much, and in turn a hug was shared in resonance and recognition of another ‘lover’ of beauty.  A reflection into Stendhals quote after visiting Florence, amid thé tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo and the encounter of ‘celestial sensations’ - a sort of ecstasy that overcame him in the contemplation of such sublime beauty.  The  invitation is to seek out in life that which moves you to deep wells of emotion. To allow beauty in art and beyond to stir your soul and to live knowing exactly what is it you would fall under the spell of.  From corporate lawyer to full time writer, Julia Mathison, in this 15 MIN EP, shares a story of a stranger moved by art and whose interaction engendered my own emotional connection to her.  Always a personal musing, featuring personal preferences, with a desired message to be kind, follow your hearts direction and accept the calling of your innate gifts.  REFERENCES:  STENDHAL SYNDROME - after French author Stendhal described his experiences in Florence as an emotional phenomena. Literary Festival in French town -  St Paul de Vence  COLOMBE D’’OR RESTAURANT VILLA ST MAXIME  Support the show THANK YOU FOR LISTENING PURCHASE MY STORIES AT www.jemathison.com