Quote of The Day

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Happiness paint party Friday

So grateful to have purged a pile of clothes from my closet 
 

 With the  mood of our world of late and so much sadness abounding  it's hard to have a  conversation about happiness.   Maybe it should make us take even more notice of how truly blessed we are!  I started penning  this post long before things really went amok.
It's sad for me to observe people  abundant, with healthy  solid families unable to find happiness! I'm not quite sure if it's because they're  looking for that big manic piece of grandeur, whether they're focused too much on the negatives, or whether they suffer with depression. Happiness always starts within. Sounds easy right? 
If you focus on what you are not, instead of what you are, life might be sad. If you don't thread small bits of joy together and assess them at the end of the day....life might be sad. If you feel too much compassion for others, but not enough for yourself, life might be sad. If you treasure material things instead of your own internal gifts, life might be sad, If you don't have companions, family, animals or otherwise, life might be sad. If you don't find your true passion, life might be sad. If you have a mental illness you may be sad.  If you always feel a lacking or in need of something.....you will probably feel sad. 
I enjoyed playing with colour this week
I was not a happy little child. There was no twinkle in my eyes. My spirit was broken. I was misunderstood. Through the years  I searched for happiness in boys, candy/popcycles, liquor, religion, charity, books, and fun. Seriously it wasn't until I found a heart full of peace, understood my penchant for creativity and felt grateful for the little things that I truly felt the happiness I'd been searching for.
It was never the big house or fancy car even though  it was nice.  It wasn't the good job, or piles of friends, I loved those too!  It wasn't partying and surrounding myself with people.  It was being grateful for the warm bed, a nice meal, a talk with a friend, a kind word or gesture...it was being grateful each moment for all the small niceties in my life! The comfort, beautiful colour around me, love of my family, a car in working order, lots of laughs. 
Don't get me wrong, it was, and always will be fun laughing  with friends and family. Enjoying intimate conversations. But  it's the small  moments of joy threaded together,  knowing if I look  in my midst there is something to be happy about. 
 
A happy doodle while feeling under the weather
Even through aches and pains, through grief and disappointment there are small joys to be happy about. Even if there is something to deter my joy for a moment, I always know it's right around the corner!! 
 
Happiness is not something to search for, or buy. It's always there in our midst...those simple moments, a kind unexpected gesture, a good sleep, a laugh after deep period of grief, feeling pride over creativity.  It's about being grateful for the whole experience, knowing no matter how bad things get there will always be things to appreciate with gratitude! There will always be simple  things to look forward to, so when the big joys appear in your life it's even better because you're already happy!

What is one simple thing that brought you joy this week?

36 comments:

BrownPaperBunny said...

Fantastic colors!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love the feeling of hope that you are perpetuating in this post. I believe it's all about looking at the glass half full or half empty. It's also not about what you don't have, but finding joy in what you have. We are going through a difficult school year with all the expenses that come from having 2 girls in college. However, I've made a conscious effort to leave it all in God's hands. Thus far we've made it through one semester without going into the red. Yes, we've had to make sacrifices, but I'm VERY proud of what my girls are accomplishing. That's the bright side that makes it all worth it. Blessings to you and your family, my dear friend, and Happy PPF!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful post again, full of colour, warmth and wise words! Hugs, Valere

Anonymous said...

I wish all the happiness for you and your wise thoughts and joyous paintings!

My name is Erika. said...

I always love reading your posts. I agree. No one or nothing can make you happy but yourself and it does come from what is in your heart. Focusing on the positives. I can tell you are doing that by your pretty bright colors in your paintings. Those are happy colors.

PaintingWrite said...

Another wonderful thought provoking post. I couldn't agree with it more. I'm happier than I've ever been in my life and it isn't because we have an abundance of material things or plenty of money in the bank - more of that would always be nice of course but it's all the little things that make up this great life we lead since we moved to Scotland. This year I started keeping a gratitude journal - the front says 'Gratitude is the open door to abundance' and each day I write down 4 things that I'm grateful for that day. It can be something as simple as the rain staying off until after we get back from the beach with the dogs! Today I'm grateful that my lovely husband was born 45 years ago today and found his way into my life!

Christine said...

Lovely sensitive post. Beautiful portraits too. I do enjoy simple joys, little things.

Gillena Cox said...

luv today's quote and especially art piece #1

have a nice Paint party Friday

much love...

Gloria j Zucaro said...

You always are so wise, and so colorful. I have been putting a note of gratefulness in a little box since Jan. 1, 2015. I am grateful this week especially for family and friends who are loving and supportive.

Geckostone said...

This is one of my favorite parts of PPF is not only seeing beautiful art like yours but hearing such inspiring words like these in your post.I'm sure many of us can relate to your sentiments, its like we are all growing and evolving together coming to these same conclusions about being grateful for the simple pleasures and making our own happiness!!!Hugs, Deb

GlorV1 said...

Awesome and inspiring post as always. Love your colorful girls and I to believe that happiness starts within. I am happy just being alive and enjoying each day as if there is nothing better, here at home. Have a great day and thank you for your inspiring words. Take care.

SLScheibe said...

I love all of your fun and colorful portraits! They're bright and cool. And your post was really cool too. :)

Linda Kunsman said...

So beautifully illustrated with all those happy colors and art, along with the eloquent words. I believe there is some small moment of joy in everyone's daily life no matter how bad things may seem, but when someone is going through some really heavy and bad things it can be so hard to find that little moment of joy. I can't pick just one moment of joy . I think especially as I am aging I am really looking at the many joys each day brings-even the simplest things...wishing you many happy and joyful days!

Nadya said...

woo hoo, one more pile gone!! I have also been addressing my home piles, & have been on a little purging spree!
I found a new site that has a naughty title, but great tips (http://unfuckyourhabitat.com ) & I love that part of Robin's focus is helping folks with depression or physical ailments find ways to cope with their personal surroundings, their habitat!

Two simple joys: I finished painting my kitchen backspash (dealt with the clutter on that counter to access!)

My bookgroup is reading Tich Nhat Hanh's 'Living Buddha, Living Christ,' & I love his simple breath mantra: 'Breathing in, I bring in calm, Breathing out, I smile. In - present moment - out - wonderful moment' .... I practiced this during our Tai Chi class, when the teacher was giving breath prompts! Smiling always makes me happier!

Happy PPF
Nadya
http://dia-creationstation.blogspot.com/2015/01/musings-on-muse.html

sheila 77 said...

I love this post, Giggles. I think we who are happy and enthusiastic are very fortunate.
What has made me happy this week? - waking up every morning to a warm shower and the first cup of coffee, reading a (real) book last thing at night, and many other things in between.

Katie Jeanne said...

I completely agree. Happiness comes from the inside. :)

Tammie Dickerson said...

Wonderful post! Love your color play this week! My simple joy this was receiving a thermal travel mug from my son that keeps my tea hot for hours! No kidding - 7 hours later that tea is still hot! Happy PPF!

Bronson Hill Arts said...

It's been a journey from childhood for me, too. And, there are times the ghosts rise up and take the happiness away. But, the majority of life now is drenched in happiness, from all the wonderful "little" things.

And, I think your post was a lovely touch of joy on a rough day! Thank you, Giggles.

Hugs! Barb

Forgetfulone said...

Your optimism is contagious. I usually have lunch with the same group of ladies, but some days, I have to eat somewhere else, or by myself, because of all the bitterness that hangs over the group. Mot every day, but some days. It's too easy to get sucked in to that.

minnemie said...

Fun portraits - I especially like the textures and color play in the first one. Joy this wk: a toddler wrapping his too short arms around my shoulders, communicating love with a passionate, tender expression of "mama"...

Annette P.-L. said...

Really a wonderful post! I like your portraits with these bright colours,too!

Unknown said...

Thoughtful post as always and fantastic creativity. Thank you for sharing!

sharon said...

Wonderful post and art! My happiness this week is that we had a torrential downpour after 6 weeks of no rain, a friend I hadn't seen for over a year visited (that's why I haven't posted, too busy nattering!)

Cindy D. said...

Pretty faces! And such fun and colorful hair!

denthe said...

Love your art this week, especially the green girl! You're right: it's important to focus on what you have, instead of thinking of all you have not. A happy moment this week for me was seeing my art materials again and thinking of all the things I can make with them :-)

Tracey FK said...

it feels like we are on the same page a bit this week... it is easy to be dissatisfied these days, but if you block out the media and all the ridiculous negativity and actually look around then things are pretty great. You are so right about the little things... a nice cup of tea, the light coming in through the bamboo while you float in the pool, the sound of the little boy next door giggling as he gets licked by the dog... and of course reading a wonderful post by someone who knows just how to put thoughts into words that make you think...xx

Ginny said...

Finding happiness and joy can come at anytime if we are open to it. The more grateful we are for the simple things in life the more things we find to be grateful for. I think we can only come to this state of mind when slow down enough to enjoy what we have in the present moment.

At this moment I am really enjoying that both of my dogs who love to bark at anything they might see or hear are quietly resting in the room with me. It's a lovely peaceful moment.

Faye said...

What wonderful words of wisdom, Sherrie, and they are straight from Psalm 30:5. I know that there are people with clinical depression but I think most people have that choice when they first feel sad, to encourage the sadness or to go do something positive and come out of the blue funk. I was able to help someone this past week with a financial bind they were in. Giving brings joy if the giving in is the right spirit.

Rhonda Halushka said...

I agree with the idea that there is so much sadness in the world lately... and so glad to see your bright colorful pages to lighten things up a little!

Karla B said...

Happiness is a divine world. If it doesn't live within, you can't find anywhere else. There are so many things that make me happy but right now I am sad: my daughter's bf broke up with her and it hurts so much to see her suffering.I think happiness is a peaceful mind, is unattachment because if you don't expect anything, nothing disappoints you. Love your pieces, my friend!You are a sage mama too!Your posts are pure beauty and wisdom!Love them!

Carol Rigby said...

What a lovely meaningful post, Giggles. Just what I needed today, as it happens. Thanks for your visit and for your lovely comment over at my place.

jane coquillon said...

You're so right, and things do get overwhelming at times.

We added a new living room to our house in 2014 and all year I was thinking "when the new room's finished..." and then felt kind of empty once it was, even though it's as lovely as we'd hoped.

I'm now consciously living in the moment, focusing my energy on what is happening *right now* and no longer choosing to put off things that way.

Lucy said...

Wow! i read this right after I wrote the poem about learning happiness from our dogs. I love your writings Sher! I wish I would have read this first because I could have pulled a few more points that you expressed so beautifully!! and to answer your question. One simple thing that brought me joy this week was receiving so many kind comforting notes and calls from friends regarding the passing of my sweet molly. connecting with others has always made me feel happy. your list of all the reasons 'life might be sad' moved me to tears as i think Of someone i love who falls into many of these and I need to read this to them. once again.. Im so glad I popped in. thank u for your wisdom and moving posts xox hugs

Sirkka said...

Again colourful art that I like and your thoughts are so right and wise. Happy PPF.

JKW said...

The blue w/green dot background looks like me girlfriend (except right now she has a bit of green hair). It was a perfect world until 5 years old, then nothing was ever right in childhood again. Thank God I had that much. All your people are wonderful. Blessings, Janet PPF

Unknown said...

I miss you and your awesome words of wisdom..Beautiful work and beautiful words. Kinda what I needed to hear today!

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