Gratitude Reaps Rewards

According to Psychology Today's Attitude of Gratitude Editorial, we reap what we sow. What are you reaping? By the grace of God I am reaping wonderful things. At least that's the way I see it. God has given me a tremendous gift of gratitude. I get excited when someone offers help, says a kind word, or in some way does something that brings joy to my heart.

So, why isn't everyone grateful? What has life done that we can't share an inkling of joy with others? Semi-quoting Paul's words, if anyone has a right to complain, I do. [Paul said, "brag." You can read why someday in my book, Living in Technicolor.] But after the pain, after the abuse, the loss, the hardship -- whatever that may be -- shouldn't we rejoice that we're still alive. If we aren't well, shouldn't we rejoice that we had a chance to glimpse the wonders of the world around us? That we have a God that loves us? [We really do. Email me if you don't know the love of Jesus Christ.]

Next time someone comes to you with dirt on their hands, smile. Be grateful that you have someone who is with you. Smiling is a small gift we can give back, but it's one that usually comes back to us again. A SMILE says that we're grateful the person we smiled at is in our lives.

When my son was young I told him to make a list of one hundred good things he could think of in his life. He had a hard time getting to ten but it got easier over time. I did it, too. Then we went over the list one by one. I still do this inventory periodically. It helps build my attitude of gratitude. As we age, we get to have more and more things to brag about [or reasons to be grateful]. It's all in what we focus on.

We can only share what we have learned and hope that some of it rubs off on others someday. Then reflect the gratitude we have inside -- starting with a smile.

Grateful you had the time to read this.

See the Way an Artist Sees Part 3

It's so long since I've written this blog that I wonder if y'all are still reading. Lots has happened between the last time I wrote this particular blog and now. For continual updates check out Pola Muzyka's Window.

If you're still with me, you will benefit. I promise. Not only will you learn the right way to draw, but you will have a better understanding of art and artistic abilities for all your endeavors. In other words, you'll have a greater sense of creativity. Last year my first novel, Escape the Hezbollah, was published and garnered the CSP Book of the Year Award 2010 for Fiction. That's what seeing like an artist can do. My ability to see things that others can't helped me also create a world in words. LOL Don't judge me by this blog. I'm trying to get some info to you quickly so I can get back to work on my third novel.

Shifting your brain thoughts and perceptions from left to right can be tough. First, you need to prepare yourself and want to make that shift. I really mean it is tough. Some of you might get dizzy, some might get nervous, frustrated, etc. It's all in your thought process shifting gear. Believe me when I say that if you can get past the nervousness or queasy feelings, you are well on your way to a peaceful state of blissfully seeing the way an artist sees. So, let's take it slow.

Please, spend some time going over and over the exercises. This might seem mundane to your left brain but if we can get your left and right brain in sync, you will be so much better off -- particularly if you seek to create some type of masterpiece. Exercise for today: using an 8X10 sheet of paper, draw a simple profile on the right side if you are right handed and left side of the paper if you are left handed. Now, on the other side of the paper try to mimic that profile exactly. When you have successfully mimicked the profile, you will have created a vase face. Now, connect the vase on the top and bottoms and shade it in. Stare at your perfect vase face to switch over from vase to face and back again. Experiment with your drawing to make different face shapes including monsters, animals, and designs. Then do the shift. When this shift is easy, you're ready for the next step.