1st Path to Joy 2023, Simplicity

As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler
โ€“ Henry David

All “Illustrated Wisdoms”ย in this 2023 Paths to Joy were created by splattering viscous Dylusions shimmer spray on 11×14, 98 pound, Canson mixed media paper, then spritzing with water to see how the colors would run and gather.

When dry, the above quote was evoked by drawing stars with fixedย shapes and energy fields the bottom. Thin strands spiral away from these stars, eventually becoming theย golden dots floating free

My understanding of this Illustrated Wisdom will change as the art reveals itself in new ways.

What do you see?ย Write me.

PSย  Art is available with and without the quote.ย Shop Sandra’s Galleries.


There was a story I heard once about a Mexican fisherman. He spends every day working hard on the water, searching for the big catch, and living on the ocean. One day, a CEO of a company comes to Mexico and goes fishing with the local man. He talks about how many hours he has had to work and things he has sacrificed to get where he is today, all so he can retire one day and move to Mexico and fish. ย 

— Anonymous

In an old book of inspirations calledย The Treasure Chest., page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” In 2020,ย Succeed and Soarย explored them as โ€œPaths to Joy.โ€ Three years later, theyโ€™re revisited, enriched.

What is joy?ย Theopediaย says that it’s,
1] Aย state of mind and an orientation of the heart.
2] It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.
3] It is something or someone that provides a source of happiness.

According toย The Treasure Chest, the First Path to Joy is: Simplicity.
Simplicity is the nature of great souls.
โ€“ย Papa Ramadas

Simplicity is not the opposite of wealth. It is the door to the riches you already own.
โ€“ย Alan Cohen

If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.
โ€“ย Rainer Maria Rilke,ย Letters to a Young Poet

Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.
— Sir Isaac Newton

As Henry David Thoreau wrote, โ€œOur life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.โ€ย  How?

Theย Huffington Postโ€™sย โ€œ15 Ways to Live a Simple, Happy Life,โ€ include,

  • Do what you love
  • Donโ€™t let stress rob you of your birthright to be happy
  • Walk in nature
  • Here are moreย 

 

E. F. Schumacher said, โ€œAny intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius โ€” and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.โ€ย  There,ย Minimal Rayย says simpler lives can be happier because there are fewer complications. Deeper connections to others can be built by:

  • Reflecting onย  what matters to you most
  • Avoiding comparisons
  • Working for a life, not for a living
  • Read more

Write me.ย How are you building your Path to Joy by simplifying things?

This charming, 7-minute video shows how one woman cultivated a feeling of abundance while living simply.
Click here to view.
also see
How I Make A Living, Affording My Country Cottage Life.ย [8 minutes]
View here.


This Month, Shop Sandra’s Art on Mugs

As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and moreย 

These unique, sturdy mugs are:

  • Ceramic
  • Dishwasher and Microwave safe
  • Two sizes:ย  11 oz and 15 oz
  • Prices, $15ย  andย  $18

CUSTOMIZE.ย Use tools with item to:

  • Enlarge, reduce size of art
  • Change placement ofย art and text
  • Choose background colors

Purchase thisย cup

Shop All Posters & Art Collections HERE.

Depending on Browser, Puzzles may be a stand-alone category or listed in Lifestyle Section.

Thanks for shopping!

 

Share Post

About Founder
Sandra Gould Ford

Sandra Gould Ford is an author, educator and former steelworker who presents arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. She belongs to the Authorโ€™s Guild and Science Fiction Writers of America and is a former member of the American Society of Media Photographers. For more information, visit her web site: SandraGouldFord.com.

Recent Posts
  • All Posts
  • Einstein Inspirations
  • Eleanor's Insights
  • Life Well Lived
  • Love Is
  • Paths to Joy
  • Soul Songs
  • Soul Words
  • Story Talk
  • Thrive, Nourishing News
  • Videos, Short Specials
  • Wise Ways
  • Word Witty
  • Wordsmith Stars
Newsletter
Sign up to receive free updates & inspirations!
The free, weekly E-Letter and posts present uplifting, thoughtful information on topics that include wellness, book reviews, personal heroism, life well lived, inspiring thinkers and more.