Gratitude Speaks creates worlds. Gratitude Speaks brings forth what has not existed before. It's wild, and free, and magical. Through Gratitude Speaks, I get to interview people whose work and presence I admire; who embody that divine spark of aliveness that draws you in; whose love has touched souls and saved lives, and this planet is kinder for it; people who are bright, spirited, and rooted in joy.
Who: Markus Rothkranz
Yes, he's a raw foodist, vibrant health advocate, writer, speaker, painter, movie producer, animal enthusiast, and he's funny, witty, and hot - and most of all,
Markus is a true lover of life.
1) How do you define gratitude, and what are you grateful for?
Gratitude is the painting acknowledging the artist. It is realizing we are works of art. It is realizing there is a Universal loving force, without which we could not have been created and allowed to express ourselves and experience the responses. We are a constant work of art in progress, put into a beautiful setting by great genius. People stare at us constantly trying to find meaning in their own creation. They compare and try to find similarities they can relate to. Gratitude is realizing every brush stroke in our life is a gift- the dark and the light, for together, they create the masterpiece that is life experience. Without bitter we cannot appreciate sweet. Without darkness, we could not see the stars. It is so beautiful when someone listens. It is divine when we are allowed to think and wonder. It is heavenly when we realize every thing we do is our choice, even if it doesn't seem so. We can end our lives whenever we want, so therefore every experience, word, action and feeling is a choice. What greater gratitude is there than knowing we are free?
2) What is art to you?
Life. Everything we say, do, create and experience is art.
3) When did you experience significant personal growth,
and how did it impact your perspective on life?
I came into this world with wonder, and have never stopped gazing quietly at everything around me with awe and respect. My greatest moments of personal growth though came when I let go. It was when my lover and I set each other free into the unknown to experience more of life. It was when I walked away from comfortable relationships with people, jobs, money, beliefs, food, and even the need to live. A huge moment was when I gave up everything I had and walked naked into the desert, not needing to ever return alive. The greatest moment of life is the moment before you die because you totally let go. No more need to hang on. No need to have to explain or validate yourself to anybody. No agendas, no ego, no identity, no need for anything, not even food or fear. I am yours God/Universe. Take me. I'm yours. It's when you give up the need to prove yourself that you are finally taken seriously. It's when you give up the need to live, that you are finally given true life. When you realize that everything in your life (including your own life) is on loan to you, that you are "loaned" riches beyond your wildest dreams. Only then are we trusted with the power and wealth of the universe.
4) What other gems of joy & wisdom would you like to share with us?
Let go of as many things in your life as you can, including your need for that house, car, relationship, job, income etc. I'm not saying you must get rid of it, but just lose the NEED for it. Start walking your own path. You will ALWAYS be given what you need as you go. Not what you want, but what you need. After you learn to start appreciating everything, you will never again feel "stranded" or empty or poor. You will see value in everything, even the weeds growing out of the cracks. Success is not things we own- it is the joy of knowing our next breath is a miracle no matter where we are.
I asked Markus to share a meaningful image with us; what do you see?
For anything Markus, please check out MarkusNews.com.
