Gratitude

I’ve been on a personal mission for the past year or so to increase my gratitude quotient. In other words, I’ve been practicing the “attitude of gratitude”, especially in relation to my faith in God. I’ve had mixed success.

Sometimes in the midst of some pretty difficult circumstances, I’ve been able to be thankful… by trusting in God completely, and being grateful for His love, despite the problems piling up around me. I’m thankful that He gives me the ability to do so, during trying times, because I know this isn’t one of my natural abilities. It’s a gift from Him.

Other times, I start my day out on a thankful cheerful note, only to have a child walk across the kitchen floor I just washed with his or her muddy shoes, and I become the crabbiest most ungrateful mother in the universe. Why? Why is my thankful attitude so strong some times, and other times it’s more fragile than a snowflake?

Pride. I read about it just this morning, in another blog I like to visit regularly called Solo Femininity. Carolyn McCulley explains that the antidote to pride is - you guessed it, thankfulness!

I’ll keep plugging away at thankfulness, and now I’ll try to be more aware of my pride level as well. I’m off to write in my gratitude journal for a few minutes, before I get busy preparing for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I’ll begin by being thankful for the blessing of those six little feet that track mud on my floors!

Getting Serious With Your Art

Luann Udell of Durable Goods has begun an interesting series called “Getting Started” in regards to getting serious with your art. She’s giving us a generous glimpse into her art pathways, and will be sharing her experiences with many of her first attempts at truly pursuing her art.

I’ve been an admirer of her work and a regular reader of her blog for a number of months now, and have gleaned much from her witty, down to earth, no nonsense, yet very professional and wise approach to her craft. She is also a wonderful motivator, and many times I find myself delving into my work with renewed purpose and eagerness after reading one of her articles.

If you are an art minded person, pour yourself a cup of tea and spend some time with her. You’ll be better off because of it. Your art will be too!