By Andi Washington

There’s something incredibly grounding about surrounding yourself with art that carries meaning—art that doesn’t just decorate, but speaks. This week, I brought home a new piece that’s more than just beautiful—it’s profoundly human. It was created by my longtime colleague and dear friend, Javier Morales, a fellow traveler through the ever-changing world of hospitality. His journey has always inspired me, but this piece—The Buddha—touched me in a way that few works ever have. It now hangs in my foyer, catching light in the late afternoon, inviting both stillness and reflection.

Javier’s path to becoming an artist wasn’t linear. Born in San Germán, Puerto Rico, and shaped by decades in the travel industry, Javier built a successful digital marketing agency while navigating the highs and lows of life with ADHD. During the pandemic, his world was thrown into chaos, as it was for many of us. His wife, Maria—his anchor for over 30 years—encouraged him to take art classes, a gift that shifted everything. Art gave him a way to manage his ADHD and explore his inner world. It softened his edges, opened him up to deeper empathy, and helped him connect more fully to himself, his sons, and his community.

The Buddha painting is one of his most personal works. Created while his mother was dying of cancer, it became his way of processing grief and love. The piece is stunning—a serene Buddha figure rendered with texture and depth. What makes it truly remarkable are the multitude of small, circular patterns that form the Buddha’s hair. Each of these circles was crafted from the medication bottles used in his mother’s treatment. Every circle has its own distinct design—like fingerprints, like memories. It’s a mosaic of suffering, care, and transformation. The first time I stood in front of it, I felt the quiet power of resilience and the beauty that can emerge from sorrow.

This piece reminds me that living well is not about perfection. It’s about showing up for life—your own and others’—with intention and openness. It’s about transforming hardship into healing, and finding moments of joy, grace, and creativity even in the midst of uncertainty. Whether it’s supporting a friend, collecting a meaningful work of art, or simply taking time to breathe deeply and look around you, wellness starts with awareness. We all have our own challenges, but when we honor them and lift each other up, we build stronger, healthier, more connected lives.

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