Path to Joy 2023 #4: Friends

A true friend is someone who is there for you when heโ€™d rather be anywhere else.
Len Wein

All “Illustrated Wisdoms”ย in this 2023 Paths to Joy collection 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, I found nautical and heart stencils [as well as waves] to suggest journeys aimed toward love, atop all kinds of waters. The art was inspired by this Irish Proverb:

There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea,
but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!

Art is available with and without text.ย Shop Sandra’s Galleries.


What is a friend?

Theย 2020 Paths to Joy postย answered, โ€œA true friend doesn’t care if you’re broke โ€ฆ about your past, or if your family is filled with crazies. โ€ฆ They have your back when things go very wrong. They keep their promises and make you want to keep yours.

Here are new, special quotes:

  • Friends are people who know you really well and like you anyway.ย  โ€“ Greg Tamblyn
  • Friends give you a shoulder to cry on. But best friends are ready with a shovel to hurt the person that made you cry. โ€“ Unknown
  • Love is blind. Friendship tries not to notice. โ€“ Otto von Bismarck
  • You can always tell a real friend: When youโ€™ve made a fool of yourself, he doesnโ€™t feel youโ€™ve done a permanent job. โ€“ Laurence J. Peter

Theย Live Bold & Bloomย blog writes, โ€˜most people consider themselves lucky to have one good friend,โ€ because, โ€œnot everyone possesses the qualities of a good friend,โ€ which include:

  • Empathy
  • Protective
  • Listens and hears you
  • Knows when youโ€™re about to snap
  • Wonโ€™t let you lie to yourself

Keep in mind, an acquaintance is someone we recognize, like a neighbor, a co-worker, an exercise buddy. To have several, true friendships in a lifetime is a blessing. The Mayo Clinic suggests it can be achieved by connecting with:

  • People whose conversations we’veย enjoyed
  • Family members
  • Classmates

Also by:

  • Volunteering
  • Attending community events and faith-based activities
  • Extending and accepting invitations
  • More

Tips from Dale Carnegieโ€™sย How to Win Friends & Influence Peopleย were mentioned in the 2020 post. Here are a few more:

Because developing friendships in preschool and kindergarten helps children develop socially, emotionally and intellectually, here are two [among many] useful resources:

And remember Margaret Walkerโ€™s words of wisdom:

Friends and good manners will carry you where money wonโ€™t go

Succeed and Soar!

Sandra Gould Ford
Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire.

COMMENT.


Click here to view

TED Talk
Legendary duo Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have been friends for decades. In a raw, tender and wide-ranging conversation hosted by Pat Mitchell, the three discuss longevity, feminism, the differences between male and female friendship, what it means to live well.
Length:ย  15:35


Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Galaxy & IPhone Cases

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

Beautifully protect your phone with an impact resistant, slim-profile, hard-shell case. The art is printed directly onto the case and wrapped around the edges for a beautiful presentation. Simply snap case onto phone for instant protection and direct access to phoneโ€™s features.ย 

Available for numerous phone styles. Either slim or tough case styles available.
Price: $23.50 TO $25

CUSTOMIZE.ย Use tools with item to:

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

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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.

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