Quote of The Day

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Looking beyond the Images!


 

Online we can post what ever we want to sway opinion, present glamorous images, wonderful artwork, spin a story, display only the positive. We can make life seem only glorious and wonderful. As some people view the beauty shared they feel envious  of everything from looks to opportunities. 

Acrylic Wip Journal pages!
It's behind the scenes we don't see. The mother constantly traveling for business, responsible for keeping people employed, juggling her family while children and husband beg for time. Or the mother who buried two disabled children, but seems so gleeful playing with her twins! We don't see the gorgeous young woman with a models figure dumped a few months before her wedding with no mother near by to comfort her! 


We don't see the single mother working two jobs and standing at the food bank on her one day off!  We don't see the extremely handsome bulimic male who appears to have it all drinking alone every night wondering how to pay the bills! We only see what people show us... happy smiles, an appearance that everything is okay! Beautiful words and pictures of the good times!
Digital art cards
What goes up, also comes down.  Although some may  have their homes paid off, they may suffer chronic headaches, or chronic heartaches! Some may seem to be following their bliss every moment they post on the net. While in private they suffer a mental illness  secretly wishing they could jump over the side of the boat they fish from! Everyone has imperfections in their life. It's sad to see so much envy among creative people.
Years ago I went to a unique lives and experiences seminar where I heard Joan Rivers, Lauren Bacall, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Candice Bergen speak on separate occasions...All these woman had suffered some kind of traumatic hardship yet all appearances would present  their lives to seem rich with perfection! None of whom I would envy.
The famous musicians who seems to have it made, probably sang at many dive joints and played the hurry up and wait game  for a decade or two before getting a break! The artists getting a few dollars for their paintings probably spent  hundreds of hours and dollars on paint and canvas before getting to that juncture. 

Most authors have  probably read and written thousands upon thousands of words, had too many rejections to count before their success! What sets them all apart is they never gave up. They trudged through the mire of the situation and persevered until  they found the much deserved acknowledgement! I have witnessed several artists and writers flourish over the years. They never gave up...they were true to their passion in light of every obstacle. They worked hard, pushed doubt to the side and stayed true to their unique contribution!

There is no room for envy in this life, only admiration. Everyone gets knocked down from time to time. It builds character, shows us our strengths, teaches us compassion, and makes any bliss we feel even tastier!

 Time and again I hear jealousy and envy in the voice of others... and I think, we know not what others suffer! Some have tough sad childhoods and finally find peace in adulthood, others have struggled as teens but blossom later. Some have a beautiful retirement while others enjoy a perfect marriage and lose a spouse early. 

People have ups and down. The beautiful artist you may envy probably spent many hours alone practicing their art, while you had fun  with friends! The lone musician may have been treated poorly at home and never properly acknowledged until later on when the world fell in love with their talented sound and lyrics!  
It's best to put energy into our own direction and what we want our life to look like. What makes us feel good, happy, excited. Instead of comparing, celebrate the progress, accomplishments of our fellow creatives, learning from their triumphs over adversity.  Being  happy for their  success knowing we also have something totally unique to offer the world! Hang with good souls, admire them...and leave  envy at home, it never deserves to play with adults! 

What is making you happiest today?

36 comments:

Kate Robertson said...

Great post and I love all the art you shared. Each piece a unique interpretation from you. Happy PPF

Valerie-Jael said...

Great post, lovely art! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

Ginny said...

Wow, so very true. The internet makes it so easy to make everything look perfect when we all know that is impossible. Life is full of ups and downs and I don't believe anyone can escape them. It is how we make our way through them that makes the difference.

I love your banner with all of its bright colors.

sirkkis said...

I love your 'happyfilter'. Just right words in the quote.
Happy PPF !

Lynn Cohen said...

These people drawings are some of your very best! And of course reading your "messages" are always provocative!

sheila 77 said...

This is so true.
We see people in real and "virtual" life who seem to have everything, but discover later that this was far from the truth. However maybe it's good that we emphasise the positive, but of course your message is that we shouldn't compare ourselves to our imagined ideas of other lives.
Your paintings are priceless, the last one made me laugh like anything, that's the scariest person, aaargh!
And the poor old man who needs help - aaaaawwww!
Thanks again for an interesting discussion and a good reminder.

kat said...

Oh the patterns, colours that jump and funky characters, always such a spectacular show here! Such great reflections too, I'm happy to share with you all here, for the beautiful light and colours at this time of year but most importantly the good health and happiness of loved ones. Such a shame to lose time and energy with envy and such negative thoughts, we're all in this life together and need to make the most together too with as much positive energy as possible!

Kristin Dudish said...

I love your style... Both your art and your outlook.
One of my favorite quotes is "Comparison is the thief of Joy." (Theodore Roosevelt). So very true, but sometimes easy to forget in the very polished online world we live in...
This is a great post filled with wonderful reminders!

Marji said...

A very thoughtful post. It's true there is lots of reality hidden behind the scenes. So true that we need to pursue the things that make us happy and fulfilled. Lovely artwork. I especially like the first one.

Susan said...

Once again a drop dead post and I love your final line, "leave envy..." And your WIP Journal pages are gorgeous. Always enjoy visiting your blog! Happy PPF

Linda Kunsman said...

How true your words are. Love your Halloween banner and all that glorious colorful vibrant art!!

DVArtist said...

What is making me happiest today? Knowing you.... and that my friend truly says it all.
Nicole/Beadwright

DVArtist said...

What makes me happiest today? Knowing you... and that truly is all there is to say my friend.
Nicole/Beadwright

Gillena Cox said...

nice cards and words, witty art and wise words; happy PPF

much love...

denthe said...

oh Sherrie, these drawings are really speaking to me. So much life and movement, such vibrant images, I love them! I can't even pick a favorite...
And what you're saying is oh so true and so recognizable ....

Christine said...

I love your post and beautiful art, the lovely fall weather is making me happy!

Paper rainbow said...

Social media does seem to be full of 'look where I've been, done,have' it may be true it may not. Perhaps it is easier to shout to the world when happy. A great post and super illustrations!

Christine said...

Lovely post and beautiful art. The wonderful fall weather is making me happy!

Tammie Dickerson said...

Wonderful!! But you forgot one....what about running away from something - like cleaning up after sick dogs (worst homecoming ever)!!!! Happy PPF :)

Ayala Art said...

I love the colorful art you make! And thanks for the neck exercise (to read the text LOL) :oD

froebelsternchen said...

Oh .. the colorful pieces this week make me happy Carol!
oxo
Susi

Laney said...

Lovely art and such a good message. It's so easy to fall into the comparison trap. I love all your people in this post and your Halloween header is cool. The chilly Fall weather is making me happy, too.

Beth Niquette said...

How insightful you are. My artwork often reveals the heart of where I am when I started drawing. Art is my passion, as is music, theater and gardening! These are things, besides a great love for God, which fill my days without my beloved.

Carol said...

Love the art and once again your words have hit home. I'm down now both physically and emotionally but I'll be back before too long. ♥

Helen Campbell said...

I love all your quotes with art. Especially "Just because something looks scary doesn't mean it is" So right. Happy PPF!

My name is Erika. said...

Love seeing some backgrounds in post! Always enjoy the bold colors you use and the way those pieces make me smile! Thanks for the ncie comment you left this week too!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

You always make me think. I love your gorgeous top of the page Halloween picture. Your colorful pink and blue designs make me feel "batik"!

stefanie stark said...

Phantastic!!! You made so many happy pictures! I love the art journal and all the funny sketches!

Viola said...

A lovely post!
I was happy today...because I had a long walk
and
I came bak to the blogger land :)

pauline said...

Totally agree with this. You say exactly what many of us feel. :) It's so true that we only see the best of everything (and everyone) on social media. I'm all for sharing what's good in life with others, but i also think there's no shame in sharing what's bad. No one's life can be ALL good. I remember reading how Stephen King had been rejected so many times as an author, he had a full wall plastered with rejection slips. And JKRowling... and Elizabeth Gilbert... and, and, and. I could go on. You're absolutely right. The ones who make it are the ones who KEEP GOING, regardless of the outcome. Your art (and words) always make me smile. Happy week to you, girl! xx

Julie Lee said...

Once more wise words and wonderful images! Your art is always so full of life and vigour! You are so right about the age in which we live, the internet culture in which everyone must give the appearance of popularity and success and in which people can appear to be having the time of their lives when they are hurting inside, lonely or insecure. Your art and your outlook are always so refreshingly real and honest. Thank you for all your share. xx

Nordljus said...

Great post! Yes, it's easy to only see the achievements of others and all that it's better in their 'perfect' (or so we think) life compared to ours. But then I guess that's always been the case, only now, with the internet, we get many more glimpses into the lives of others all over the world. It's up to us to remember that no one's life is perfect, and up to use to make the best of ours. Wonderful artwork too!

Indira said...

Beautifully said and wonderfully illustrated. Quite amazing, really.

Thanks for visiting my blog and for the lovely comment.

Lisabella Russo said...

There is so much going on below the surface with people. I like how you intersperse your art with your words. I am happy to have a friend I haven't seen in years coming to visit soon!

JKW said...

Wonderful illustrative art. . . I've been on the other side. . .since kindergarten and can never understand why anyone would be jealous of me. It's a hard row to hoe on this side too. We are what/who we are and that's that. It's the judgment issue I have trouble with. I continuously tell myself, I don't know what that person has been through in their lifetime to make them do/say. Forgiveness is something I constantly pray for. . .Blessings, Janet PPF

Kim Dellow said...

Wonderful work as always. Adore all the art you share with us and your thoughts too. Thank you for linking up to Show Your Face and sorry it has taken me a while to get to commenting, I'm just catching up now! Kx

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