AESTHETIC ADVENTURES AND MUSINGS IS A SPACE DEDICATED TO CULTIVATING LIFESTYLES THAT BALANCE DAILY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF LIFE PAIRED WITH THOUGHTFUL EFFORTS TO CREATE AN ETHICAL WORLD.

In short, AA&M seeks to inspire a balanced lifestyle that celebrates the sweetness of life, and also confronts ethical dilemmas and social problems. AA&M believes that this dual purpose is the route to personal and collective happiness. Keep reading for the long story!

Here’s the detailed raison d’être . . . 

Aesthetic Adventures and Musings is a blog focused on inspiring a way of life that consistently pays attention to, and cultivates, beauty and magic in the world. Beauty is that which appeals to our senses, emotions, and mind and elevates life by producing pleasure and a heightened appreciation for life. Aesthetics is the examination and appreciation of beauty. Magic is that which is experienced as simultaneously surprising, mysterious, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring, gleeful, and heart-warming; it is that which suddenly jolts us into the present moment and tells us that there is goodness to be discovered at the center of this great mystery we call being alive. 

Beauty and magic can be found most places, if only we are aware. Some days we are consumed with work and responsibility but still see it in the foam of a latte, hear it in rustling leaves, feel it in the caress of a hand. Other days we find it through art – in a film, an arboretum, a gothic church, the melody of a haunting song. Then there are those times when we fully dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of beautiful magic and plan an adventure, whether it be a local hike or an international trip. An adventure, after all, is meant to be a pleasurable journey towards the unexpected. This blog, therefore, highlights everyday instances of beauty and magic, as well as adventures and trips planned to pursue that which makes us go “oooooooohh!" Aesthetic pleasure can be equally revelatory whether it is gained in the act of noticing the line of a lover’s bare hip, the cracking of pepper over fresh olive oil, or at the base of a gushing waterfall. Adventure can be found on a footpath to a new coffee shop in town, or in lands far away. Much of this blog will focus on hiking adventures because that is where Lana finds wonder. AA&M believes in celebrating the miracle of being alive, and that we have a sacred duty as free living beings to tap into la dolce vita!

Yet, lest we fall too far into hedonism, it is to be remembered that happiness is also dependent upon our social connections and doing good for and by others. We are all interconnected and living a good life is predicated upon having a healthy and safe society in which to flourish. Our hiking days will be numbered without health insurance, safe spaces to travel in, and an environment free from extreme and destructive weather. Thus, this blog also incorporates Musings, or thoughtful reflections. These blogs are categorized two ways: “Social and Environmental Conundrums" are formally articulated thoughts on ethical questions and problems especially as they relate to the intersection of aesthetics, hiking, travel, social media culture, our environment, and sustainability. “Whimsical Thoughts" creatively express thoughts and experiences in the form of poems or photo essays. 

AA&M encourages us to pay attention to our environment and to notice beauty in it everyday. It also seeks to provide aesthetic inspiration and prompt meaningful dialogue about some of our contemporary problems. Ultimately, AA&M wants to support a community whose members bring heightened awareness to our individual and collective environments, with a particular focus on drawing out those elements that make us feel hopeful and happy to be alive. 

Core Values

• Equity, truth, and understanding.

• At our best, humans constantly evolve and seek to make themselves and the world more just and more enjoyable. This is why AA&M embraces social progressivism; there is always room for innovation.

• We should collectively work to achieve racial, economic, and environmental justice. Social and environmental justice are intertwined. Black Lives Matter. Climate Change is Real. Extreme wealth inequality is unjust. 

• Life is difficult, many social systems are unjust, and therefore we have a duty to better the lives of our fellow humans and living creatures. 

• Life is also beautiful; if we are able, we should take time to practice gratitude, cultivate creativity, and enjoy the gift of life.