I am lovin' all the gratitude vibes permeating the blogosphere this month!
Just a few little "blisses" on my mind this morning...
Choices...I love that I get to choose every day what my attitude will be. I get to decide how I will respond to my experiences and emotions. This is huge. It means I am in the driver's seat.
Beginnings...Every day I get a fresh start. Everything I put my hands to has potential. Beginning something affirms that I have hope.
Community...Being connected to creative, kind individuals keeps me centered and makes me more courageous.
As I was perusing the link-up for Art Every Day Month yesterday I came across a tutorial for a painted paper mosaic by Marcia Beckett. Marcia is an art teacher and a very gifted mixed media artist and her blog is full of beautiful journal pages and inspiration. Her paper mosaic really caught my eye so I decided to do my own take on it.
After "scrubbing" some gesso onto an old book page I picked through my little pile (okay, it's really a big pile) of paper bits and came up with these.
The fun and relaxing part was the doodling...
In a way these two images illustrate how practicing gratitude can change our experience. Sometimes life is like the first image...just a bunch of bits: unrelated and sometimes chaotic. Like the pen lines and colors in the second image, gratitude connects the bits, creating a vibrant, complex composition where each element relates to and supports the others.
Gratitude is a game changer.
A grateful life is alive with hope and possibilities. If I can manage to be thankful for something, then I can trust it is somehow going to be used for something good. The really great news is that gratitude isn't something we have to strive for, it is something we choose to allow into our lives. When we allow it, gratitude flows just as creativity does, washing away strife and leaving peace in its place.
Choosing gratitude = Choosing to let your heart rest
I can't believe it is Friday already. I hope you find a little time to celebrate, rest, create, or do whatever brings you joy this weekend!
I'm linking up today with:
These link-ups are a great way to connect with other artists and creatives and see a lot of inspiring work. If you have the time, it is great fun to check them out and follow a few rabbit trails!
Such beautiful thoughts and I totally agree. Your spoon is gorgeous as are your pages.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie, and thanks so much also for stopping by. I love the connections I've made through AEDM!
DeleteI too am so happy (and grateful) that we've connected via AEDM. What a lovely tribe! I love how the doodling helped to create cohesion among all of the disparate pieces. Well done! Your thoughtful reflections on an attitude of gratitude mirror many of my own. It is a great feeling when we realize two things, we have a choice in how we will respond, and we can ease up as we don't have to control everything. Trust really does emerge from a gratitude practice. You have a lovely blog and I look forward to following you now that I've found you. Have a splendid weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes...not trying to control everything. That brings such freedom, doesn't it? Now THAT'S a game changer! Thanks for checking in!
DeleteYour spoon is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I love those old pieces of silver...so beautiful and nice to work with.
DeleteHello Janice, this piece is so very lovely, quite inspiring indeed, I love how you really got it to come altogether with your lovely creative doodles! Your words are so true too, I've loved visiting you here yet again, so happy to have come upon you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kat. I enjoyed checking in with your blog and seeing what you're up to, as well. LOVE your beautiful, colorful paintings! Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteSo many things to be grateful for! I love your art journal page too. Thanks for your wise words and have a wonderful weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Lindsay!
DeleteOops! Hit publish too soon...I was going to say I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!
DeleteLovely post (and art!). And I agree gratitude is a life changer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah. It's been a good weekend...already working on next week's gratitude list!
DeleteFirst I love the name of this place, it reminds me of one of my all time favorite music albums, Taproot Manuscript by Neil Diamond. And then this post - wow! I love seeing the progression and I expecially love what you have written about it. So much so that I am now on my way to my FB Wylde Women's Wisdom page to share it because it is perfect. Perfect! So happy to meet you through AEDM (which is why I participate - I say to stretch myself back into creativity but I have to tell you that I have found and held on to lovely people through this, not the least of whom is Leah herself!)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the mention on Facebook! That is awesome! I'm happy to have met you as well. AEDM is so much fun!
DeleteWhat an inspiring post to read this morning! Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Tracy
You're welcome, Tracy. I hope you've enjoyed your weekend!
Deletegreat inspiration and love anything that uses tea bag tags... they are one of my favourite things...xx
ReplyDeleteYes! You work magic with tea bags! I have a pile of them here, waiting for inspiration. I was thinking of doing some sort of large mosaic. The problem is most of mine are the same color...may have to hit them with a little color :-)
Delete