Desiderata

Consider The only safe thing is to take a chance. — Mike Nichols When I was twenty, I took my mother on her first airplane trip. We flew nonstop from Pittsburgh to San Francisco. It was a combination birthday and Mother’s Day gift. All these years later, three things remain most memorable. Watching my mother drink for the first time as she prepared to board the jetliner Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Finding the “Desiderata” poster in a Fisherman’s Wharf gift shop. That list for life made a huge difference. This post shares a beautiful video. Please enjoy. Best wishes that 20provided great foundations for a happier, healthier new year. Click Here to View. Desiderata Beautiful images. Gospel chorus. 3 minutes, 54 seconds.Please download a free 8.5 x 11, printable PDF of “Desiderata,” a Succeed and Soar gift. SkyScapes Pouches Organize travels and carry possessions safe and secure in these unique and beautiful wallets. Details: Three sizes: Small 6” x 4” , Medium 9.5” x 6” and Large 12.5” x 8.5” Crafted with 100% poly-poplin fabric Double-stitched at seams for extra durability Durable metal zipper Visit All Zippered Pouches Thanks for shopping!
10 Delights

In autumn, 2019, Succeed and Soar began as a way to share wise words I wrote by hand and saved in file folders. After about 200 posts, I realize some of these treasures may never prompt a little essay or meditation, like the following ten which I hope lighten your heart and brighten your week Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. –The Gospel According to Zen Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet. — L.M. Montgomery The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere in which we are permitted to remain children all of our lives. — Albert Einstein Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. — Les Brown Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you. — Marsha Norman What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. – Yiddish Proverb Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile. – Franklin P. Jones Whatever happens, always remember to smile. Showboat 1951 It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis. — Margaret Bonnano If at first you don’t succeed, get a bigger hammer. — Alan Lewis Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. 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: $68 to $78 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 Shop All Art and Collections HERE
Visuals & Music That Inspire

Consider Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife. – Kahlil Gibran Unlike Succeed and Soar‘s regular [short] videos, these special selections are three to five hours long. While visually amazing, they’re created for listening. The music offers relaxing, soothing, even stimulating, dramatic themes. [“Deep Beauty” played while creating this post.] Enjoy! Shop Sandra’s Art on Zipped, Carry-All Pouches This “Hydrangea” image and inspiration is from Succeed and Soar‘s “Mistakes a/k/a Sub-Optimal Decisions” post. View here. About the gorgeous, quality Zipped, Carry-All Pourches: Dress up, dress down. Stay organized while on the go. Crafted with 100% poly-poplin fabric Seams double stitched for extra durability Secures everything with strong, metal zipper Three sizes,” 6”x4”, 9.5”x6”, 12.5x 8.5” Optional bottoms: regular or T Price: $16.50 to $27.50 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Choose background colors Click on pictured item to purchase. Shop All Zipped Carry-All Pouches HERE. Thanks for your support!
Understanding Children

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso For decades, I’ve gathered precious insights. Each one I read is like a breath of life. They lift my spirit and remind of the good we can do and marvelous things we can be. I hope this web site’s words and images encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. I hope these words of wisdom about children gladden your heart. Treat the world well … It was not given to you by your parents … It was lent to you by your children. –Kenyan proverb You are not the child of the people you call mother and father, but their fellow-adventurer on a bright journey to understand the things that are. – Richard Bach Children Learn What They Live If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient. If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident. – Dorothy Law Nolte Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings. — Hodding Carter The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere in which we are permitted to remain children all of our lives. –– Albert Einstein Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Life Well Lived offers floral photographs, wise words and invitations to see life as a garden of possibilities. This 60-page book offers lots of space for personal notes, sketches and meditations. Here are opportunities to both enjoy life’s seasons and find enrichment. A great gift. * 5×8 $14.50 Preview and Purchase. * 8×10 $19.00 Preview and Purchase. Thanks for shopping! While a How-To Illustrated Wisdom video is developed for Life Well Lived, here’s a helpful companion, Self Care through Visual Journaling: 5 Easy Steps.
Desiderata [the List]

When I was twenty, I worked for an airline and used my first travel passes to fly my mom cross country to San Francisco for her birthday-Mother’s Day. In a Fisherman’s Wharf gift shop, I found Desiderata. It raised my awareness. From time to time, I like to share this list: Go placidly amid the noise & haste & remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. Max Ehrmann 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! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.