Path to Joy 12, Your Magnificence
Consider You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman. — Max Lucado All “Illustrated Wisdoms” in this 2023 Paths to Joy series were created by splattering viscous Dylusions shimmer spray on 11×14, 98 pound, Canson mixed media paper, then spritzing with water to see how the colors would run and gather. When dry, the white satin DecoArt paint brightened this illustration’s outlines. Ultra fine Pen & Gear markers created small star shapes [pink] and little starburst [green]. Art is available with and without the quote. Shop Sandra’s Galleries. Succeed and Soar first presented the “Twelve Paths to Joy” series in 2020. I hope 2023’s re-interpretation both refreshed and opens a year of enriching possibilities. As Teresa of Avila said, Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence. What a different world if everyone saw themselves this way. All begins with one. Psychology Today lists these “Four Ways to Become Your Best Self,” Develop natural gifts. In this way, we can succeed with less energy and effort. Cultivate activities that give life meaning and purpose. Follow your heart. Embrace open-mindedness and a willingness to evolve. Read article Wikihow offers three stages for figuring out who we are now , because, “we are always growing, changing, and learning new things.” While each stage has several parts, the main categories are titled, Take Action Be Aware of Your Thoughts Continue The Search In choosing more joy in 2024, Minimalism Made Simple offers “Eleven Powerful Ways to be Your Best Self.” My favorites are: 4. Focus on Healthy Habits 8. Use Positive Affirmations 10. Celebrate Little Wins 11. Help Others Read all eleven. For encouragements along this 12th Path to Joy [and your magnificence], here are “17 Super Inspiring Quotes About Always Being Your Best Self.” These brought my biggest smiles, The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self. — The Dalai LamaDo the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. — Maya AngelouSet a goal so big that you can’t achieve it until you grow into the person who can. — Zig Ziglar Read all seventeen. Succeed and Soar! Paths to Joy Illustrations In addition to posters and framed prints, the art from the 2020 and 2023 “Paths to Joy” art is available as greeting cards, puzzles, cups and journals, even shower curtains, pillows, weekender bags and more. Build your beautiful collection. Shop here. Thanks! NOTE: 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].
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!
Life’s Great Wheel
This too shall pass. — Eleanor Roosevelt Earth spins at a thousand miles an hour. Our sun hauls its planets through space at 448,000 mph (720,000 km/h), taking 225 million years to circle its galaxy. Goodness knows what the Milky Way orbits and how long that takes. In time, the Atlantic will wear away the rocks in this post’s Featured Art. The setting sun will shine again. While Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with saying, “This too shall pass,” the phrase is three thousand years older. Legend says those words were offered to a Persian monarch who wanted wisdom that would be true in all situations. Abraham Lincoln told this story about joy and sadness, failure and achievement in 1859. So, how can life’s ups and downs be survived … more easily? Zig Ziglar suggested evenly distributing time given to jobs, spiritual and intellectual growth, friendships, family, financial planning and physical care using his Wheel of Life. Think of the circle below as a personal Wheel of Fortune rolling along life’s highways and byways. By staying centered, in the white hub, progress is possible without the ups and downs experienced on the rim. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ These rocks featured in this post were photographed at Martha’s Vineyard. 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
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!
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.