Special Short, Pound for Pound
Consider Screenwriting is like ironing. You move forward a little bit and go back and smooth things out. Paul Thomas Anderson Each month, Succeed and Soar shares a little video chosen to lift the heart and spirit, awareness and humanity. This 2-minute short is from Dare to do, a favorite producer. The subject: Karma. This Hindu Buddhist concept suggests that one’s fate is based on past deeds and current intentions . [Like the saying, What goes around comes around.] Here are five thoughts on Karma: Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity. Edwin Hubbell Chapin But this was what happened when you didn’t want to visit and confront the past: The past starts visiting and confronting you. Bret Easton Ellis By each crime and every kindness, we birth our future. David Mitchell When you carry out acts of kindness, you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, ‘Yes, this is how I ought to feel.’ Harold KushnerS how a little faith in someone when they need it. It’s amazing how it comes back around to you. Garon Whited Please enjoy the two minute video below. Succeed and Soar!Sandra Gould Ford Presenting art to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thing and inspire. Comment Click Here to View. Pound for Pound 2 Minutes 2 Seconds Radiant Tree Books Wise Ways Making the Most of Each Moment Wise Ways shares observations and meditations on how to make the most of each moment. Topics range from time management strategies to handling Sub-Optimal decisions a/k/a mistakes, fearful situations and more. This book is beautifully illustrated, encouraging and offers lots of inspiration. 5×8, 36-page sketch journal $15 Preview / Purchase 8×1064-page sketch journal $20 Preview/Purchase Immediate Download PDF Full size $8.49 Visit Radiant Tree Book Store . All books 25% off through August 27, 2025. CODE: GOALS25 Thanks for your support!
Your Heroic Heart # 5, Electric Danger
That best portion of a man’s life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. – William Wordsworth When steel magnate Andrew Carnegie sold his company to banker J. P. Morgan, that transaction created the first billion-dollar corporation. With his wealth, Carnegie sponsored free, public libraries. Over 2,500 were built during his lifetime. He funded the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. In 1889, he wrote The Gospel of Wealth, stating fortunes should be considered a public trust that should benefit others. Carnegie’s 5’3” body housed giant ideas. He believed heroic acts must be recognized. His Deed of Trust said, “A medal shall be given to the hero, or widow, or next of kin, which shall recite the heroic deed it commemorates, that descendants may know and be proud of their descent. The medal shall be given for the heroic act, even if the doer be uninjured, and also a sum of money.” In 1930, three earned Carnegie Medal by risking electrocution. On July 12, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, 22-year-old Harry M. Snyder tried to save an electrician who’d picked up a broken wire. In a heavy rain, Snyder grabbed the man’s protective glove. Both men fell and lay unconscious as 2,300-volts flashed. When the current was shut off, Snyder suffered severe burns but recovered. The electrician, could not be revived. Read more. One month later, in Painesville, Ohio, Sheldon Joseph Harris tried to knock a fellow electrician free from a steel crossarm charged with 2,300 volts. Both fell ten feet, with 20-year-old Harris landing on a charged wire. Neither survived. Read more. On December 4, 1930, in Emory Georgia, Arthur W. McKinney climbed to the top of a transformer, leapt to a beam and tugged an unconscious co-worker’s leg. Fred Maxwell hadn’t realized the wires and switches on the steel structure were live, carrying 19,000 volts. Both lived. Read more. NOTE: Because the human body conducts electricity, a person in contact with electrical current should never be touched with bare hands. Read more. Myths tell of ancient gods placing heroes among the stars. Some stories tell of heroes’ eyes becoming stars to watch over their children. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. Nominate a Hero. Succeed and Soar! A Kindness Curriculum Click Here to View [3 minutes, 50 seconds] Radiant Tree Books presents Succeed & Soar’s “Wise Ways” Collection Wise Ways shares meditations on making the most of each moment. Some were presented in Sandra’s first, blog, SoulSongz [at WordPress.com]. It still exists. After 2019, these notes were updated at Succeed and Soar.com. 36-page, beautifully illustrated book with flexible, laminated, high-gloss cover and high-quality printing. Preview and Purchase. $12 60-page, Economy Sketch Journal contains guided meditations and inspiring prompts that allow enriching, personal reflections. Preview and Purchase. $19. 60-Page, High Quality Sketch Journal. Preview and Purchase. $32 Thanks !
Path to Joy 9: Kindness
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. – John Bunyan On an end-of-summer evening beside the Allegheny River, as twilight settled over yachts docked at the Fox Chapel marina, I chatted with members of Rotary International, an organization I thought focused on business development. Turns out the profits Rotary members seek come from bridging cultures and connecting continents. They champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, help people get access to clean water and sanitation, and fight disease. Rotary’s newest cause is to protect our planet and its resources. Wow! How exhilarating to meet people who prioritize the 9th Path to Joy, Benevolence: good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. An old saying advises, “Everything that goes around, comes around.” The Bible’s Galatians 6:7 adds, “What a man sows, that he will also reap.” The Mayo Clinic finds that sowing benevolence does reap a joyful harvest. They report, “Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.” Read more. Everyday Health lists seven ways being kind improves health and well-being, by: Reducing anxiety and depression Improving heart health Managing diabetes Read more Succeed and Soar’s Original Path to Joy #9 post stated, “Benevolence is good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. Beneficence is the joy of putting those intentions into action.” How? In “Practicing the Art of Benevolence,” Purposeful Habits suggests, “Never hold back in a moment when you can show kindness.” And remember, When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. – Maya Angelou Succeed and Soar! Gifts from One Big-Hearted, Benevolent Gift of a Man Length: 2 Minutes 35 Seconds Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Hooded Sweatshirts As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more With autumn’s arrive, snuggle up artfully. These fine quality hoodies are: : 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full Chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $48 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. 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 Hooded Sweatshirt View All Hoodies 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!
Einstein 18: You, The Great Teacher
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. – Albert Einstein The one time I met Great Aunt Hattie [she married my grandfather’s brother Jesse], that big woman with her sunshine brightness taught me about generous spirits. When my dad refused her money and wouldn’t buy my sister and I small fruit pies, she scoffed affectionately and told him to go on down to the corner store and get her little grand nieces those treats. Yeah!! My mother’s older sister Irene loved to throw Saturday night Pokeno parties with rich treats she shared from homes where she worked in wealthier neighborhoods. Hospitality!! Funny, the things children remember. I’m so glad to have been educated by ladies who awakened joy in special kinds of creative expression and knowledge of big-hearted spirits. After all, we’re all teachers, all the time. Shop “Raindrops,” this week’s Featured Art Featured Video ***** Sunday, May 23rd is World Turtle Day, a special time to protect turtles, tortoises and their homes. Did you know that while all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. Although both animals are encased in bony shells and lay eggs, a few big differences include: Tortoises cannot swim. Their heavy, dome-shaped shells would sink them. Turtles are water animals with lighter, more aerodynamic shells. Tortoises have stubby, elephant-like legs. Turtle legs are webbed and can even be flippers, all designed for swimming. Surprising facts about turtles
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: 5th of 12 – Generosity
The heart that gives, gathers. – Tao Te Ching Science has found that generosity of mind and spirit as well as time and money does gift givers a lot of good. Scientific American reported an experiment that studied stinginess. Result: Those who held back experienced heightened shame and cortisol levels. We can also live longer. Read more in The 7 Science-Backed Reasons Why Generosity is Good for Your Health. Research also shows that those who give time and resources with kind intentions are rewarded with dopamine and endorphin surges, the body’s feel-good and happiness chemicals. Read more in The Benefits of Giving Things Away. In 1982, as an antidote for the phrase “random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty,” Anne Herbert suggested, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” Here are 103 possibilities, which include: Share an overheard compliment. Send people you know notes about why they’re awesome. Leave a big tip. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Keep in mind, The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self. — Fred Rogers * Face Masks Keep glasses from fogging when wearing face masks.Make a no-sew face mask in five minutes. [NOTE: Instead of a scarf, I cut a fabric square from my quilt stash and sewed down the flaps. Total time: 10 minutes.] Fun! This Post’s Featured Art, “Generosity,” A Visual Meditation What I like best about the picture: The dots. Why: The gold and yellow dots are like gentle sunbeams and rain that shower us freely. The red and white, orange and blue dots are flowers that the rain and sunlight nourish, making life both possible and beautiful. What the picture teaches: Nature is a cycle, a circle of giving and receiving. Both are needed for life to flourish. The insights gained: Rain and sunlight are price-less. From that generosity, freely given, earth can sprout meadows full of flowers so that life is refreshed, beautiful, bountiful and joy is possible. * Take this six-minute trip to Ireland and see how one act of kindness a day can change your life. View video. Generosity, kindness, honesty, humor – makes us truly rich. Waylon Lewis 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. Visit my On-Line Galleries to see more of my art.