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: 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.