Beautiful Forever
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. — Eleanor Roosevelt Isn’t the thought delightful that we can take the blank canvas, paper, stone received at birth and learn to paint, compose, sculpt ourselves into works of art? Dapper and elegant Maurice Chevalier said, “Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternative.” In choosing his first option, remember, Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. – Victor Hugo While the years accrue, keep singer Gwen Stefani’s words in mind, “You’re not getting older, you’re getting more entitled to be your fabulous self.” Hebrew Senior Life reported that an older woman was once asked by a child if she were young or old. The lady answered, “My dear, I have been young a very long time.” To keep looking young as long as possible, here are tips that surprised me: Health.com suggests: Stop sipping through straws. EatThis.com advises: Finish eating before you’re full. Bona Fide Skin Care says the face can be kept from ‘dropping’ by keeping neck and chest muscles loose. One exercise involves opening the mouth wide and making silly faces. Also, roll shoulders gently. Here are maps some have found to The Fountain of Youth. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. – Franz Kafka Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young. – Sir Arthur Wing Pinero There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. – Sophia Loren Succeed and Soar! Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Thursday, September 30th is International Podcast Day. Great timing! My first podcast just launched on Yinz Are Good. [‘Yinz’ is Pittsburghese for Y’All or You are.] Here Tressa Glover celebrates the good stuff that’s happening around town, which is what she does so joyfully during the first ten minutes. Then Marshall Cohen, Laurie Moser and I effuse about next year’s Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books. Mark your calendar for May 14, 2022. Listen in. Here’s why. This Week, Also Celebrate Sunday, September 26: Better Breakfast Day Tuesday, September 28, National Ask A Stupid Question Day Friday, October 1, Bake someone’s day on National Homemade Cookies Day Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Path to Joy: 5th of 12 – Generosity
The heart that gives, gathers. – Tao Te Ching Science has found that generosity of mind and spirit as well as time and money does gift givers a lot of good. Scientific American reported an experiment that studied stinginess. Result: Those who held back experienced heightened shame and cortisol levels. We can also live longer. Read more in The 7 Science-Backed Reasons Why Generosity is Good for Your Health. Research also shows that those who give time and resources with kind intentions are rewarded with dopamine and endorphin surges, the body’s feel-good and happiness chemicals. Read more in The Benefits of Giving Things Away. In 1982, as an antidote for the phrase “random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty,” Anne Herbert suggested, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” Here are 103 possibilities, which include: Share an overheard compliment. Send people you know notes about why they’re awesome. Leave a big tip. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Keep in mind, The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self. — Fred Rogers * Face Masks Keep glasses from fogging when wearing face masks.Make a no-sew face mask in five minutes. [NOTE: Instead of a scarf, I cut a fabric square from my quilt stash and sewed down the flaps. Total time: 10 minutes.] Fun! This Post’s Featured Art, “Generosity,” A Visual Meditation What I like best about the picture: The dots. Why: The gold and yellow dots are like gentle sunbeams and rain that shower us freely. The red and white, orange and blue dots are flowers that the rain and sunlight nourish, making life both possible and beautiful. What the picture teaches: Nature is a cycle, a circle of giving and receiving. Both are needed for life to flourish. The insights gained: Rain and sunlight are price-less. From that generosity, freely given, earth can sprout meadows full of flowers so that life is refreshed, beautiful, bountiful and joy is possible. * Take this six-minute trip to Ireland and see how one act of kindness a day can change your life. View video. Generosity, kindness, honesty, humor – makes us truly rich. Waylon Lewis NOTE: These ‘Paths to Joy’ are adapted from The Treasure Chest, an old book I found years ago. Page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” Of special delight is using paints markers and ink to illustrate meditations inspired by this wisdom. The technique is adapted from the book Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words, by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox. Visit my On-Line Galleries to see more of my art.