Letting Gratitude Create a Better Life - Thankfulness & Blessings

 Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. 
Melody Beattie
 

You are Capable!

 Recently my sweet cousin sent me a quote that encouraged me
during a stressful time in my life. 

When you're focused on a tough situation, it's too easy to forget that
you are more than capable. You got this!

It made such a difference and inspired me to create my latest piece.

Remember... You are Capable of Amazing Things!

Better Than You Could Ever Imagine

With the non-stop barrage of negative news, panic filled headlines and empty store shelves, 

it's easy to get caught up in dread and worry.

Let's take a deep breath...

With this "forced" slow down in our lives, we can embrace and enjoy time. 

The time we get to spend with family. 

The time we have not rushing around. 

The time we have just to ourselves. 

We'll get through this, just like every other time we've been faced with a crisis.  

And, if we CHOOSE to look on the bright side, 

CHOOSE to grow our compassion, 

CHOOSE to support each other,

CHOOSE to see what blessings we have, 

CHOOSE to adapt and even thrive in these times, 

it might turn out Better than You Could Ever Imagine.

Original, Prints and Magnets available HERE

Set Yourself Free...When She Let Go of the Past Her Heart Whispered Thank You - New Mixed Media Art

The past can often seem comfortable and familiar, but it can also hold us back. Letting go helps us to move forward. Deciding. Choosing. Committing. To. Let. Go. is in our hands (and in our hearts). 

In creating this art piece I was inspired by some of the quotes below.
Letting go is so freeing (but soooooooo hard).

The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself,
unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over,
you cannot move forward.
Steve Maraboli

We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell

When you let go, you are truly free. 

Unknown

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed. 

Oprah Winfrey

We can all let go of the past. And our hearts will thank us.

Blessings From Above - New Art + a little instant gratification

After I wrote about the sweet surprise my dad had for my mom here, I wanted to capture that special feeling and put it on canvas. Something that would remind me of the deeper and long lasting love of family and encourage me to be the type of person who thinks of others and tries to be a blessing in their lives.

 (Even if you have to be a little sneaky - thanks dad!)

So I created this canvas called Blessings from Above.  I love looking at it everyday!

 (I'm trying something new and have added an Instant Digital Download section to my Etsy Shop - that way you can buy art online and download art straight to your computer and print it out yourself - instant gratification - online art - no waiting! ) 

 

Hope you have a blessed week!

Love, Steph

Today is the BEST Day Ever - A Life (and Art Piece) full of Joy

Last year a sweet friend of mine commissioned a piece of art for a friend who was going through some pretty horrible health issues and the future was perilous and unknown.  YET, this man, and his family, had the most wonderful attitude.

Whenever someone asked them, "how are you doing", their reply was always....

Today is the Best Day Ever.

It's easy to be happy when things are going well. Imagine having such a positive attitude, such hope, such a beautiful spirit, that you viewed each day as so special (even when things weren't going well)?

Creating this piece helped remind me of all the joy that is waiting for us, even in the midst of not-so-great circumstances. We get to choose to have that perspective of looking for the good instead of the bad. We get to choose to see the wonder each day, each person, each.....

We all know people who lift us up and are wonderful to be around. 

And we all know people who are the opposite.

What type do we want to be?

Hope today is the Best Day Ever for you!

Love, Steph

Home is Where Your Heart Is

I've discovered this to be so true when I moved last year. After living away from family for many, many years, I made the decision to move from a very big city (3 million+) to a sweet little town of 5000. As my folks grew older, I missed being near them. Even though we talked all the time, I wanted to be "in their lives" and have them be "in my life," not just for the big stuff, but for the everyday stuff.

My dad was facing greater health challenges and this big decision allowed me to be with him pretty much every day for the last six months of his life. 

My parents have always been the best cheerleaders in my life - always encouraging, always positive, always enthusiastic. I can only hope to be more like them - this blog is one way to share the joy they encourage me to see each day.

I created this sign from wood and paint and scrapbook paper. I even used the chop saw my dad taught me how to operate.

I hung this sign in my garage so I can see it each day when I leave my house and each day when I return. It's terrific reminder to look for the love and joy in each day.

Hope you find lots of love and joy today!