Wednesday, November 23, 2016
"Gratitude feeds on itself. It breeds acceptance. It turns what we have into enough, and more" - from the book 52 WEEKS OF CONSCIOUS CONTACT-Melodie Beattie
Feeling gratitude every day, every moment can make a big difference in our lives. It should be something to be practiced throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving. Many years ago I started a family tradition before we ate our Thanksgiving meal we would go around the table and say one thing that we are each grateful for - I wish we would do that more often.
For any of you going through tough times or just slumpy moments, I highly recommend connecting with any of the books by author Melodie Beattie. Here are a few thoughts from the above mentioned book that I wish to share with you during this Thanksgiving Holiday!
She says many good 'food for thought' statements:
"The grass is always greener on the other side (is an old cliche but it isn't true). The grass right where you are, no matter where the place is, is just as green as it is anywhere else. And if it's not green or it's all dried up, maybe it's because you're not watering it enough." I find this to be so true in life and in my art. I continue to keep the faith that society and people I know will appreciate and 'water' or care for what they have instead of searching for it somewhere else. I know with my painting if I am in a sort of 'blocked' state of mind (which luckily I get very seldom), it may just be the simple fact that I am not taking care of myself enough, filling my moments with crazy business instead of being focused on my art, and also not being focused on IT which means I should just be spending more time painting. period.
"Practice deliberate gratitude. Force it and fake it if you must." Melodie talks about this often, when you practice gratitude you will start to see a shift and be more thankful for all that you do have. In my studio I have what I call a 'gratitude jar' where I write down quick little notes of what I am thankful for. When you are ever feeling blah, just read through your beautiful, big gratitude jar and you will shake yourself out of that mood!
Saying a simple Thank you can also be just as effective. "The magic isn't somewhere else. It's where you are right now."
We all have so much to be thankful for, yes we all go through difficult times we all feel bumps in the road, but with simply changing our mind set and practicing gratitude and thankfulness we can all see how lucky we are to have what we have right here and right now.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with grateful moments!
"Dawn" 10x10" oil/mix media on paper
Don't forget my gallery, Cappaert Contemporary Gallery, will be open this Thanksgiving weekend on Friday and Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. I am so grateful for all of my artists, collectors, neighbors, friends and family that have supported my artistic endeavors throughout the past many years! Ginnie
"Stillness" 12x12" oil/mixed media on paper
Feeling gratitude every day, every moment can make a big difference in our lives. It should be something to be practiced throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving. Many years ago I started a family tradition before we ate our Thanksgiving meal we would go around the table and say one thing that we are each grateful for - I wish we would do that more often.
For any of you going through tough times or just slumpy moments, I highly recommend connecting with any of the books by author Melodie Beattie. Here are a few thoughts from the above mentioned book that I wish to share with you during this Thanksgiving Holiday!
She says many good 'food for thought' statements:
"The grass is always greener on the other side (is an old cliche but it isn't true). The grass right where you are, no matter where the place is, is just as green as it is anywhere else. And if it's not green or it's all dried up, maybe it's because you're not watering it enough." I find this to be so true in life and in my art. I continue to keep the faith that society and people I know will appreciate and 'water' or care for what they have instead of searching for it somewhere else. I know with my painting if I am in a sort of 'blocked' state of mind (which luckily I get very seldom), it may just be the simple fact that I am not taking care of myself enough, filling my moments with crazy business instead of being focused on my art, and also not being focused on IT which means I should just be spending more time painting. period.
"Practice deliberate gratitude. Force it and fake it if you must." Melodie talks about this often, when you practice gratitude you will start to see a shift and be more thankful for all that you do have. In my studio I have what I call a 'gratitude jar' where I write down quick little notes of what I am thankful for. When you are ever feeling blah, just read through your beautiful, big gratitude jar and you will shake yourself out of that mood!
Saying a simple Thank you can also be just as effective. "The magic isn't somewhere else. It's where you are right now."
We all have so much to be thankful for, yes we all go through difficult times we all feel bumps in the road, but with simply changing our mind set and practicing gratitude and thankfulness we can all see how lucky we are to have what we have right here and right now.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with grateful moments!
Don't forget my gallery, Cappaert Contemporary Gallery, will be open this Thanksgiving weekend on Friday and Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. I am so grateful for all of my artists, collectors, neighbors, friends and family that have supported my artistic endeavors throughout the past many years! Ginnie
