Monday Musings :: Look on the Sunny Side of Everything

"Promise yourself to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true." 

(excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

Monday Musings: Be True to the Best that is in You...

"Promise yourself to live in the faith that the whole world is on your side as long as you are true to the best that is in you." 

(excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

Monday Musings: No Pressure, No Diamonds

"No pressure, no diamonds."

I love this quote by Thomas Carlyle, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite people to turn to for inspirational nuggets and tidbits of wisdom. He was a Scottish satirical writer and historian during the Victorian Era, whose social commentary was considered quite controversial.

This particular statement caused me to reflect upon my own habits and productivity, and if I'm honest, I do some of my best work as an artist under pressure. Restrictions force me into creative problem-solving mode - an area in which I can truly shine. And if it weren't for (self-imposed) deadlines, I would probably never get anything done!

How do you work under pressure?

Original photo by Paul Hocksenar via Flickr.com (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), adapted by Jessica Barst

Delight in the Little Things:: Monday Musings

I took a little walk the other day. I was in a contemplative mood and the weather was glorious, and I found myself downtown with a little bit of time on my hands so I took a stroll. As I was walking I realized that the littlest things can bring me such great joy - something as simple as these beautiful little leaves on a rusty grate could bring a sense of happiness to my heart and a smile to my lips. I had to capture that moment, put a frame around that feeling to keep and remember forever. 

These simple yellow leaves so sweetly arranged as if posing for a painter and resting while he mixes his colors - French grey, vermilion, violet, and ochre - are now frozen in time as a reminder to keep my eyes and heart always open to make sure I don't ever miss another perfect moment just like this one. 

"Delight in the little things." ~Rudyard Kipling

Monday Musings: To Forget the Mistakes of the Past...

"Promise Yourself to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future." (excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

As obvious as it seems, sometimes it is hard to let go of past mistakes, whether they're our own shortcomings or someone else's. We tend to dwell on the negative things and get caught up in hypotheticals; 'what if's and 'if only's and spend so much energy assigning blame and picking things apart that we waste valuable time that should be used to build a better future with the newfound knowledge we have gained from the experience.

What's done is done; focusing on the negative doesn't change that fact. Forgive whoever needs forgiving, and remember that person may very well be you. Let it go and focus your efforts on the road ahead, with the positive idea that you are a better, wiser person with more life experience under your belt and a greater formula for success!

Monday Musings: Obsessed with Orange

Last Monday I posted a photo of my gorgeous surprise orange daylilies that I saw bloom for the first time since we moved into this house almost 3 years ago. All week I have been thinking about how happy the color orange makes me feel, and I have been seeking it out everywhere I look.

I can't deny that looking at anything in this vibrant bright and juicy hue instills a warm comfortable feeling, like my whole body is smiling! I have created a collection from Etsy of lovely items that represent this glorious color, this essence of sunshine!

I hope you'll enjoy this collection and experience that same radiant glowing feeling that will carry you through the week. Happy Monday!

Kumquat Tangerine Juice Vegan Olive Oil Soap by TheOriginalSoapStand on Etsy

Citrus Orange letterpress linocut print by thebigharumph on Etsy

Orange Dahlia Autumn Flower fine art photo print by PhotosByChipperfield on Etsy

Tangerine orange leather clutch handbag by MOSAIKO on Etsy

Tangerine Orange Autumn Leaves Earrings made from recycled paper by Jezebellamina on Etsy

Orange ombre braided rug by greenatheartrugs on Etsy

Amigurumi orange plush crochet heart wedding cake toppers by AllSoCute on Etsy

Orange amigurumi crochet octopus by leludallas on etsy

Alphonse the orange and white striped plush cat by Applekinzz on Etsy

Neon Orange Tangerine Spring Infinity Scarf by ForgottenCotton on Etsy

Backyard Flower Mystery Solved: Glorious Orange Daylilies!

Though we've lived in this house for nearly 3 years, I have never before seen these lovelies bloom.

Imagine my happiness to arrive home from vacation and see them in full flower for the first time! They were so breathtaking and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect flower to surprise me; I'm so in love with orange it hurts!

I have always wondered what they were. Seeing them with several buds last summer and watching them wither from the heat and die before blooming (despite my feeble sporadic attempts at watering them) was such a disappointment. Not knowing what they were meant not being sure how to take care of them, and it is such a thrill for me to finally see a burst of life in the otherwise sad and neglected 'garden'. Now I know they loved all the rain we got in May and June, and though I don't expect we'll be so lucky next year, I will be prepared to quench their thirst a little bit more with the hose.

I believe they are orange daylilies, but please correct me if I'm wrong; I am by no means a horticultural expert, and I am basing this assertion solely from comparing this photo to others on google. So, just throwing that out there...

Orange flowers are said to evoke enthusiasm and energy and convey confidence,  and these glorious Daylilies are no exception. A symbol of motherly love, the Daylily adds a beautifully vibrant shade and radiates warmth throughout the garden. 

Just looking at this picture I feel happiness and energy, warmth and vitality. I think it's fair to say that's how the color orange makes me feel in general, and I thought I'd share in the hopes that it might make  you feel that way too!

Monday Musings: Peace of Mind

"Promise Yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind."

This line is an excerpt from a poem called "Promises to Yourself" (also known as The Optimist's Creed) by Christian D. Larson.

This week, I am focusing on this mantra. I know it is easy to let outside factors and things outside of our control worry us and cause negative thinking, but ultimately we are the masters of our own minds and should practice a positive outlook even at the worst of times. While we cannot control the things that may happen around us, we can control the way we react to them and how we let them shape our lives.

Things never go exactly as planned, but with presence of mind and clear focus, we can adjust our sails accordingly to stay on course when the winds change directions. And as captains of our own ships, it is our duty to weather these storms with strength and determination, and no matter how rough the seas, keep steering toward the destination we seek.

Today I am Inspired by...the Color Blue

This stunning photo of the Skaftafell Ice Caves in Iceland took my breath away.  To me this is the essence of the color blue, in all its glory.  I'm left speechless (well, almost speechless) by this image and it made me want to explore the idea of this color further. The word 'blue' must mean something different to everyone. If someone is describing something to you as 'blue', you probably need to ask for further clarification. When you hear the word, do you picture a baby blue? navy blue, cobalt blue? electric blue? Take in the splendid array of hues in this photo; what words do you use to describe them?

I see beautiful deep indigos, shades of peacock, teal, and aqua.  I see the color of apatite - my favorite gemstone - and brilliant deep sapphire, turquoise, aquamarine. To me this image represents water and sky, atmosphere, air, breath...life. This cave is frozen solid, the colors are cool, and yet, I find it strangely warm and inviting. This is nature's beauty at its finest!

I have created a collection of beautiful blue items inspired by this photo, and I had a lot of fun choosing colors from the picture, figuring out what to call them, and searching using those terms. Please visit the link and see for yourself!  Enjoy!

My Creed is The Optimist's Creed

A friend shared this with me a few months ago, and it is something I go back to and re-read often. There are times when it's easy to get too caught up in all the things that are going wrong in your life, instead of paying attention to all the ones that are going right.  
If you think about it, that's a very selfish way of life. There is always ALWAYS someone less fortunate than you, and putting that in perspective helps you realize and be more thankful for everything you have, and to reach out and give more to people who really need it.
I know from experience that negativity can drag you into a downward spiral and once you're there it's hard to redirect your thoughts toward the positive side of things.  This poem helped open my eyes and recognize the importance of thinking outside yourself and being more mindful of others.  When you give more, the world is a better place...for everyone in it. I truly believe that keeping these things always in my mind helps me to be a better person. 

Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy 2012!!