Love is 3: Miracles & Heroes
Where there is great love there are always miracles. — Willa Cather Isn’t the possibility of being miracle-making heroes wonderful? This week, along with Willa Cather’s inspiring quote, listen to Luther Vandross’ gorgeous gem “Heart of A Hero.” Click here to enjoy. Bet you can’t listen just once! Imagine a world of such people. Please share your thoughts. Comment below on this week’s post, and enjoy the video. *** Which LOVE quote is matched to the right movie or television show? There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison, and all that is left is a father’s love for his child. – Prince of Tides ?? All we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. –Lost ?? It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work. –Seven ?? Answers Below. *** Yes, there is bigger news these days, but have to make a splashy announcement about Sandra’s Cards Shop Thanks to a request from a Succeed & Soar reader, my art will be offered on greeting cards and journals. There’s a bit of a learning process to figuring out my on-line shop. As I go, more items will be added. These CafePress products are high quality. Stop by Sandra’s Cards today. Check back to see how I’m doing and more offerings. Also visit my galleries and ask for items with my art. Quiz Answers There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison, and all that is left is a father’s lovefor his child. –Conan the Barbarian (1982) All we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. –Lost(2006) “Live Together, Die Alone” It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, lovecosts: it takes effort and work. –Seven (1995)
Life Well Lived #5: The Power and Delights of Three
The best things in life come in threes. Friends, dreams, and memories. Mencius Because the number three was also the foundation of last week’s post [the three steps to paradise] and because a friend mentioned “three” is a special number, I investigated and found these beliefs: If you keep seeing the number 3, it means a guardian angel is telling you to expect good luck. Read more. Biblically, three is the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which signifies growth. Read more. Three also indicates that the combination of mind, body and spirit are elevated. Read more. Astrologically, three is associated with the planet Jupiter [abundance, knowledge, wisdom] and Sagittarius, the sign associated with Jupiter. Read more. Last on this list [though there is much more], three indicates versatility and the pure joy of creativity. Three also represents past, present and future. Read more. I had no idea numbers could mean far more than what they add up to. So, enjoy friends, dreams, memories and all good things that come in threes. Live well, stay safe and enjoy this week’s featured video. Keep A Diary This pandemic period is an extraordinary time. Because it seems pivotal and is changing us, why not keep a photo-journal. Memories of how we shop, shelter in place, communicate, observe social distancing and our evolving views of life could be precious in years to come. Here are tools and resources: Importance of Keeping a Pandemic Diary How to Start & Keep a Pandemic Diary * This Week’s Special Offer: Lilies Each week, the featured art is offered at 25% off [plus any discounts offered by my Galleries]. Shop here. Thank you to everyone who visits the galleries and for your purchases. They support Succeed and Soar. NOTE The original image was shot with a Nikon Coolpix camera. The jpg was “developed” using Microsoft Digital Suite [kept on an old computer].
Path to Joy: 7th of 12 – Magnet for Miracles
A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. — Anonymous Every year, the third week of May is International New Friends Old Friends Week. So, why not write old and new friends letters letting them know why and how much you appreciate them because, as this proverb says, There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be! Positive Psychology defines gratitude as, “a positive emotion that serves a biological purpose.” What purpose? Happify Daily reports, “People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.” Read more. Here are more tools and resources for traveling this 7th Path to Joy: The magic of the gratitude letter Download a FREE Gratitude Journal 31 Benefits of Gratitude Why You Need a Gratitude List How to Make Your Own Gratitude Journal Did you know that each year has several friendship celebrations? February is International Friendship Month. The first Sunday in August is National Friendship Day. Women’s Friendship Day is two weeks later. More opportunities for joy! Be sure to view this 3-minute video. This Post’s Featured Art, “Gratitude,” a Visual Meditation To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. – Thomas S. Monson What I like best: The hands. The open palms. Why I like the image: I experience joy from the open palms. As the picture formed in my mind, I thought the gathering of hands would suggest wings outspread, taking flight. Now that the picture is done, I like the joy the open hands convey. I smile. My heart gladdens. What the picture teaches: I’m reminded that letting people know how they are appreciated and that what they do is valued [the hearts] can bring joy to both the giver and receiver. The insights gained: Seeing the many hearts being offered so generously, so freely reminds me of these words: We have to fill our hearts with gratitude. Gratitude makes everything that we have more than enough. -Susan L. Taylor There’s always something to be thankful for. If you can’t pay your bills, you can be thankful you’re not one of your creditors. – Unknown Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. -Zig Ziglar I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. -Gilbert K. Chesterton Celebrate International New Friends Old Friends Week May 17 to 23rd! 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. For information and to purchase the Paths to Joy art, visit Sandra’s Galleries.
Path to Joy: 4th of 12 – Friendship
Getting to know and like people and getting people to know and like you are the two top cards in the game of success. – Source Unknown A true friend doesn’t care if you’re broke, when your house is a mess, what you look like, about your past, or if your family is filled with crazies. A friend can go long periods without speaking and conversations pick up where they left off. They have your back when things go very wrong. They keep their promises and make you want to keep yours. A friend neither leads nor follows but walks with you. What does ‘friend’ mean to you? Is having a friend better than being a friend? In October, 1936, Dale Carnegie published How to Win Friends & Influence People, one of the best-selling books of all time. Here are 30 principles which include: Give sincere appreciation. Try honestly to see things from the other persons point of view. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to. For a free copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People, download the whole book. Also check out: How to Get to Know Someone, 13 Powerful Steps How to Be A Good Friend True friendship is rare [and work]. Don’t you agree: Finding one or two in a lifetime is a Path to Joy. ***** This Post’s Featured Art, “Friendship,” a Visual Meditation What do I like best about the picture? The golden path from bottom to top across the picture and the circles. Why do I like these things? The golden path makes me think of the Milky Way, the river across the sky made of millions of stars. The circles represent people, the 360-degree universes of possibilities each person contains. What does this picture teach? Life can be a journey, a yellow brick road, a golden river that touches [and also bypasses] many opportunities. How can these insights lead to joy? I am glad to be reminded that each person contains vast possibilities. Knowing that I could move beyond ‘acquaintance,’ be a friend and receive another’s friendship once in a while brings joy. 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. THE ART: For more information and to purchase, visit Sandra’s Galleries.