In a few weeks we will elect our next President. Like many I know, I’ve been on edge, boomeranging between hope and fear of disillusionment. Regardless of how the election turns out, I do believe in US – all of us, no matter where we fall on the political spectrum. This beautiful video by Dave Stewart holds the promise of what we can do together.

I have just come back from two weeks away from my everyday world. And so, being on vacation, I did something I rarely do: I bought a beautiful (yes, expensive) art magazine. In the middle of it was a multi-dimensional art piece by Zaha Hadid based on her room, "Lotus Room" a project in which the architecture and furniture are integrated. It was absolutely beautiful and stirred my imagination. Her work made me contemplate the space we inhabit and ask, "what is functional and what is art? Is there a difference?"

There’s always a part of me that thinks I’m being frivolous when I indulge in a magazine like Wallpaper*. But then I’m reminded of wise words written by Audre Lorde in her essay, Poetry Is Not a Luxury:

"The quality of light by which we scrutinize our lives has direct bearing upon the product which we live, and upon the changes we hope to bring about through those lives."

An artist’s work – whether a painter, architect, musician, dancer – offers breathing space and perspective, which we need – and not only on vacation – to keep our creativity alive. The light cast by Zara Hadid’s work has made me rethink how I approach my work and to ask new questions and make new connections. It has also inspired me to work on slowing down in my everyday world to seek out that perspective in order to expand the view before me.

How do you expand your view?