The Game Changer

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:

Art Every Day Month, Little Bliss List, and Joy Jam.

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!

Around Here Today

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

Winston Churchill

Life around here today is...

1.) Sweet
This morning I watched the sunrise from the rocking chair my son made in shop class last year.  I love sitting in that chair.  He was so proud the day we brought it home.

2.) Refreshed
I painted the headboard we made from an old door and rearranged our master bedroom this week and now waking up is so much fun! Seriously...I love the new arrangement and I get really happy when I wake up and see it.  Then my day off to a good start!  Goofy, huh?  Who knew such a simple change could make such a difference?

3.) Inspired (and a bit wired)
I am so loving my super fabulous new mug from Old Farmhouse Pottery.  I love that you can feel the ridges where the artists hands coaxed the clay into shape.  That's the thing about hand-thrown vessels: they are utterly unique.  There is a downside to using this one, though; I love sipping from this mug so much that my coffee intake has increased! (Thinking of having a cup now.)

4.) Exhilarating
Cooler temps = windows and doors wide open.  LOVE that!

5.) Blessed
With so many residents of the east coast without electricity in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy I am very mindful of what a blessing it is to have heat, light and so many other things with just a flip of a switch.  Soooo grateful for that and hoping power is restored to everyone very soon.

6.) Vibrant
Beautiful hues of orange are everywhere and  I love it!   Orange is a very happy color and working with it even makes me feel more creative.  I must make something orange this afternoon.

So there you have it...my world as I (choose to) see it today.

Hey, that background is sort-of orange, don't you think?

I hope your eyes are open to the beauty, inspiration, and blessing that is all around you today.  Make a list or just tell someone about the good things in your life.  Maybe it's a little like rearranging the furniture... a simple change could make a big difference.

Today I'm linking up to the following sites that offer even more encouragement and joyful thoughts for you!