Path to Joy 8: Hobbies
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. – Albert Schweitzer What’s the difference between vocation and avocation? Vocation is a job or career, work that is done to make a living. Avocation is a pastime or hobby, work that is done for pleasure. On this 8th path to joy, here are three similar suggestions: Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – Mark TwainChoose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – ConfuciusIf you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. — Marc Anthony When what these three history-makers must be delayed a bit, Develop Good Habits lists twenty-two reasons why avocations [hobbies] are important, including how hobbies: Relieve stress by taking the mind off of life’s daily demands. Allow breaks from jobs while providing a sense of purpose. Make learning new things fun. Read more Also see this New York Times article on “How to Find a Hobby” [Includes more great reasons why avocations are valuable]. Here are more encouraging words about hobbies, To be happy in life, develop at least four hobbies: one to bring you money, one to keep you healthy, one to bring you joy, and one to bring you peace. ― Stan JacobsToday is life – the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto. ― Dale CarnegieNo hobby should either seek or need rational justification. To wish to do it is reason enough. To find reasons why it is useful or beneficial converts it at once from an avocation into an industry – Aldo Leopoldo In polite society, we call our obsessions hobbies. – Stephen King Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. This Month, Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Throw Pillows As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, shower curtains, greeting cards and more These pillows add a stylish statement to any room Details: Fabric: 100% spun polyester poplin Reversible, same image printed on both sides A concealed zipper Choice of over 70 background colors Removable insert can be requested Pillow sizes: 14×14, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20, 26×26 and 20×14 Prices from $20 to $50 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this throw pillow View All Throw Pillows Thanks for shopping!
Path to Joy 6: Peace and Good Will
Embrace the healing power of these three things: Music, the Ocean, Stars — Source Unknown As a Path to Joy, “Goodwill” is an inclination toward kindness, and friendliness. It is a cheerfulness in helping and giving. Goodwill is an interest in good relationships and building of positive reputations. They are enhanced by “Peace of Mind” or calm. Of this quality, Josiah Gilbert Holland said, “Calmness is the cradle of power.” Two years ago, the CD player in my car stopped working. For the first time, I listened to the radio. In searching stations, I encountered a man with such a divisive and mean-spirited message and growly voice, he sounded rabid. He created such dis-ease, I thought – by listening any longer – I’d need rabies shots. Seems we’ve reached a time when strategies for peace of mind and good will are vital and can be life saving, given the rise of grudge shootings and other acts caused by mental unrest. Here’s vaccines from the article, “How to Build Peace in Your Life and the World Around You,” Use music art and culture for peace because they can, “can inspire us. They can unite people. They can heal. They can change hearts and minds.” One way is by using, “music, performance, poetry, comedy, or storytelling to raise awareness of issues or imagine peaceful futures.” Stop telling stories that justify war, rationalize inequality and dignify violence. Read more The Psychology Today article, “How to Practice Powerful Peace” reminds, Peace is a practice that … improves quality of life, individually and collectively. Holding peace as a way of life [can be] both contemplative and active. The warrior in oneself is most effective through the intention of peace, even when called into battle. Which of these words of wisdoms do you like? How important are these qualities in those who govern? In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. – John F. KennedyCalmness is a human superpower. The ability to not overreact or take things personally keeps your mind clear and your heart at peace. — Marcand AngelAn eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind. ― Mahatma Gandhi.Make your heart like a lake, with a calm, still surface, and great depths of kindness. Lao Tzu Goodwill is the mightiest practical force in the universe. –Charles Fletcher Dole COMMENT. Succeed and Soar! Click here to view. Thank goodness some people are on the planet. In this full Super Soul Sunday presentation, Dr. Brené Brown talks about rising strong. Every moment of this conversation opens the Path to Joy by the peace and good will that starts within and so richly deserved by everyone. Length: Full Broadcast, 43:27 minutes Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Shower Curtains As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more The high quality and unique Shower Curtains by Fine Art America: Are made of 100% polyester fabric Include 12 holes at top for ease in hanging Dimensions 71” wide, 74” tall Cost: $76 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this shower curtain View All Shower Curtains Thanks for shopping!
Path to Joy: 8th of 12 – Fun & Fascination
Find three hobbies you love: one to earn money, one to stay in shape, and one that allows you to be creative. Anonymous Author Phyllis McGinley said, “A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.” Winston Churchill advised, “To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.” What are hobbies? Essentially, they’re work that we do for fun. Along the way, hobbies can sharpen our thinking, enrich our personal-emotional lives and improve health. Why are hobbies important and a Path to Joy? They: Relieve stress by focusing attention on pleasant activities Make us more interesting and build bonds with others Help us grow spiritually and expand mentally Read More Here’s a list of 101 Hobbies to consider this year, which include physical activities, sports, travel, arts and more. For the practical-minded, here are 65 Hobbies That Make Money. If you’re seeking new ways to handle these Stay At Home times, check out these Ten Fun, Quarantine Friendly Hobbies A personal favorite is learning magic tricks. See how to perform The World’s Best Card trick [amazing!] in the video. A Path to Joy Arts Meditation #8: Hobbies What I like best: The multi-colored shooting stars with their fantastical tails. Why I like the image: The many talents and possibilities sailing to the star. What the picture teaches about Hobbies: Each of us is the star of our universe. Like the sun holding our solar system together, hobbies can add to our brightness. The insights gained about the 8th Path to Joy: There’s an old saying: All work and no play makes Jack [and Jill] dull folks. The sun’s shape reminds me to be well-rounded. Beyond the efforts needed for survive, I can thrive by finding time for refreshing challenges and as many enriching, uplifting and inventive possibilities as possible. Hobbies are the work that brighten and lighten life. Musician and artist Graham Coxon said, “My hobby is my job. It’s a jobby.” What a happier world if everyone had jobbies! What 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 information and to purchase the Paths to Joy art, visit Sandra’s Galleries.