Your Radiance, Summer Meditations
I am inviting you to discover that deeper than any pattern, deeper than personality, deeper than success or failure, deeper than worth or worthlessness, there is a radiance that is undeniable, always present – the truth of who you are. — Gangaji On Summer Solstice, everyone in France is encouraged to play music in the streets, the Fête de la Musique. In the Philippines, people splash each other with water, a playful baptism of blessings. The First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada celebrate their cultures. In Croatia, villages compete to build the biggest bonfires for “Ivanjske krijesove” to honor the god of the Sun and Saint John the Baptist’s birth. Thousands celebrate summer’s grand opening at Stonehenge. In Northern Ireland, Summer Solstice is a Day of Private Reflection, a path to healing. After a bitter war between Protestants and Catholics from 1968 to 1998, people can move from recollections of anger, death and loss to thoughts of healing, peace and regeneration. These reflections can also turn inward. As lifestyle writer Lauren Ash said, summer solstice’s brightness is a good time to acknowledge past mistakes while, “looking forward with compassion for ourselves.” On June 20, 2024, at 4:50 pm Eastern Daylight Time, the sun reached its highest point in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial shift from spring blossoms to summer fruitfulness offers new beginnings and reminds to let the best shine brightest. To make the most of these special weeks, Bustle, the on-line women’s magazine suggests, Celebrate the sun. See the star that warms Earth as, “an omnipotent symbol of ascension and the ultimate triumph of light over darkness.” Honor personal “cycles of growth and change.” Allow fresh starts. Go outside. Enjoy nature. Breathe fresh air. Watch sunrises and sunsets. Wisdom of the Spirit adds, Embrace your inner radiance Glow Express gratitude for blessings In this spirit, let me thank LaToya Ruby Frazier for championing my work and the Museum of Modern Art for presenting my creative life so magnificently. And, keep Joseph Campbell’s words in mind, Change the focus of the eye. When you have done that, then the end of the world as you formerly knew it will have occurred, and you will experience the radiance of the divine presence everywhere, here and now. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Click Here to view Sandra’s 2-Minute, Exhibition Walk Through The background voice is Sandra talking about her steel mill days Two The New York Times articles “LaToya Ruby Frazier is Paying It Forward” “At MoMA, LaToya Ruby Frazier Asks What Our Monuments Should Be” Here’s Information and Special Events during Monuments of Solidarity Exhibition Museum of Modern Art, New York City Note the Free, Online Writing Workshop on July 26, 2024. Sandra’s Steel Mill Memories Few remain who experienced an old-time steel mill’s awesome, harrowing and magical world. As a young mother, I worked at Jones and Laughlin Steel’s Pittsburgh Works during its heyday when over 10,000 people struggled and snoozed, played pranks and died in that fire and brimstone world. I saw the last steel poured inside those bleak walls. I watched those miles of cinder and char change as new life evolved from the mill’s ashes. Steel Genesis presents images and experiences of making steel, the metal and human mettle. Details: 6×9, flexible, high gloss cover, $17 Shop 8×10 Photo Album,flexible, laminated cover, $69 Shop 8×10 Premium Lustre, Hard cover Photo Album $125 Shop Also visit SteelGenesis.com. Shop All Radiant Tree Books Thanks for your support!
Path to Joy 7: Gratitude
The more you are grateful for what you have, the more you will have to be grateful for. ― Zig Ziglar What if, for the next twenty-four hours, you whispered to your heart, “Thank you,” for every beneficial thing that happens? Like, Poof!, remembering a forgotten name Finding keys exactly where you meant to leave them The perfect word popping into place A new recipe that tastes great [and you had just enough sugar] A feel-good conversation A parking space opening on a crowded street A flower blooming beside the sidewalk Very Well Mind, writes, “Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative and is associated with several mental and physical health benefits.” The post goes on to list the good that can come from an attitude of gratitude, including: Higher self-esteem Lower blood pressure Higher levels of optimism Read more Mindful reminds, “Practicing gratitude can be a game-changer: it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships.” Here are recommendations for practicing gratitude: Watch Your Language: Grateful people use the language of gifts, givers, blessings, blessed, fortune, fortunate, and abundance. Rather than noting how good you are, focus on the good things others have done on your behalf. Remember the Bad: When you remember how difficult life used to be and how far you have come, you set up an explicit contrast in your mind, and this contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness. Share Your Gratitude with Others: The next time your partner, friend or family member does something you appreciate, be sure to let them know. It can strengthen relationships. Read more We Stress Free describes the Gratitude Journal as a way to, “focus on the positive things in your life, which is the opposite of our innate tendencies that only focus on negative things and things that are not going well and properly.” The benefits of keeping a Gratitude Journal can include, Increased self creativity Improved leadership skills Better Sleep Read more, including how to keep a Gratitude Journal Note: All of Sandra’s Succeed and Soar art is available as journals here. In traveling the 7th Path to Joy, remember, To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. – Thomas S Monson Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Round Beach Towels As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more This versatile, summer essential is perfect for day at the beach, a picnic, festivals, or home décor. Fine Art America’s round beach towels are: 60” in diameter + fringe Ultra-soft, plush microfiber 100% cotton back Machine wash cold and tumble dry with low heat Price $70 to $76 Purchase Pictured Item View All Round Beach Towels Thanks for shopping!
A Winter Story
Consider A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. — Anonymous One of my delights is finding and presenting special, short videos. So, be sure to click the New Years greeting above. This month’s is a heartwarming story about kindness and community coming together. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting art to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thing and inspire. Shop Sandra’s Art on Puzzles Art also available as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. Each item is individually made, just for you. REEIVE FREE 3×3 Sticker {$5.75 value] from the Paths to Joy Gallery Just send a picture of your puzzle under construction by January 31st. This puzzle is a poster from the Contemplative Art that illustrated Succeed and Soar’s Path’s to Joy series. Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” thick paper stock Include a semi-gloss coating that makes the top vibrant Arrives in a puzzle box with artwork printed on top for safe storage Puzzle pieces are unique shapes 18×24-inch 500-piece puzzle is $40— 20×28-inch 1,000-piece puzzle is $44.50 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE. Depending on Browser, Puzzles may be a stand-alone category or listed in Lifestyle Section. Thanks for shopping!
Good in Great Out, GIGO Redefined
You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude. Eleanor Roosevelt Updated February 6, 2025 Harvard Medical School reports that people with positive attitudes can live longer. Their “How to achieve a positive attitude” list begins, Savor pleasure as it’s happening Stay in the present moment [rather than past or future] Focus on what can be controlled Practice gratitude Indeed.com finds that positive attitudes help people grab opportunities quicker and overcome obstacles better. Indeed’s top tips for staying upbeat include, Describe yourself and your life with positive words Try to make others happy Focus on what you get to do instead of what you have to do Along with seeing glasses as half full [rather than half empty], the Berkeley Well-Being Institute recommends looking for silver linings and practicing random acts of kindness. Their web site offers inspiring videos, including Brian Tracy’s “7 Keys to a Positive Personality.” He recommends changing the computer acronym GIGO {Garbage In, Garbage Out] to Good In, Good Out. The input could be Good thoughts, Good influences, Good ideas, Good notions. All can cause Good outcomes. This prayer prayer is credited to Marianne Williamson, May every aspect of my being be converted to Truth. May every cell fall into place and serve a higher plan. I no longer wish to be who I was. I wish to be more. And if you want some really big smiles along with great insights, view Zig Ziglar’s video below, “Attitude Makes All The Difference.” Succeed and Soar! 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 journals, greeting cards, totes, coffee mugs, shower curtains, clothing, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support!
False Evidence Appearing Real & Cosmic Destinies
I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but is to be — that man may have cosmic destinies that he does not understand. And so, beyond the vision of battling races and an impoverished earth, I catch a dreaming glimpse of peace. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. An acronym is word spelled from the first letters of other words. FEAR is an acronym that can be built from over 40 phrases, like: Frighten Everyone About Race False Evidence Appearing Real Forgetting Everything About Reality Future Experiences Appearing Ruined Felines Enraged About Rodents FEAR can also be an acronym for: Face Everything And Rise. Read more. Here’s an Acronym for FEARLESS: Faith Exquisite Appealing Radiant Leap Ecstatic Sense Success Let’s be fearless! 7 Things That Are Perfect for Your Soul Fear is a big cause of stress, as well as resentments and worries about loss. This beautiful video offers seven ways to transcend life’s trials, to succeed and soar. [05:16] Click on picture to view. Here’s the YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/pWM-2mLiDMM ***** “The healthiest of all human emotions is gratitude.” — Hans Selye & The Birth of Stress Dr. Hans Selye, who studied stress, its causes and effects, found that gratitude both improves and produces more positive emotional energy than any other attitude.Scientific studies have shown that people who practice sincere gratitude feel better, enjoy happier relationships and need fewer doctor visits than those who focused on their aggravations. Thomas Jefferson said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Imagine a world where the same is true of gratitude. “Gratitude conserves the vital energies of a person more than any other attitude tested.” — Hans Selye Wisdoms Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections 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 Thanks for your support! NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
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.
Thanks-Giving
If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is “Thank you,” that would suffice. — Meister Eckhart Traditions change. Now, some celebrate Friendsgiving and feast with families born of their hearts. Wherever the meal, consider sharing thankfulness for those present, along with the mashed potatoes, string bean casserole and pumpkin pie. Plus,gratitude attitudes boost health. Sprinkle in holiday jokes [Question: Why was the Thanksgiving soup so expensive? Answer: It had 24 carrots.]. RealSimple.com offers 111 things to be thankful for. Their list includes the snooze button, baby giggles and Caller ID. What would you add? Thanksgiving. Yum. NOTE: After creating the cornbread for the featured image, Pati Finich made a similar one on her cooking show. Can’t find my recipe, but here’s her Poblano, Bacon and Cheddar Skillet Cornbread. Enjoy! Onward and Upward, The Wisdoms Collection Shop Enriching and Beautiful Posters Click Here