Thanksgiving Day
I begin each day…
with coffee, exercises, and meditation, before revamping the day’s to-do list, and writing a gratitude list. It keeps me positive and focused before tapping out the items on the to-do list. Part of me thinks these gratitude lists are silly and the newest self-help fad, and I’m just a sheep following the psycho babble gurus. On the other hand, naming simple things I’m grateful for each day reminds me to be present. When planning ahead or dealing with life’s regular challenges, meditation and focus on gratitude bring me right back into my senses and the body, and my heart opens when my head stops chattering aimlessly.
Sometimes I notice and am grateful for the sunshine outside the window, the warmth of my clothes, the fan cooling the room, my heartbeat. Then I notice beyond my skin, thinking of the cupboard full of food items, electricity running these lights, clean water to drink, and the people in my life… and so on… and so on. Some days when I’m tired or stressed or fussy, I can only name a few- this mug of coffee, I’m breathing, my neighbors are quiet for the moment. No matter how many or what they are, the practice of writing the items is calming and centering, and that’s the point.
From that sense of center and open-heartedness, from being present, I take a look at my day’s to-do list and update it as needed. Not in a nervous, hurried way but with a sense of fullness. Grateful, I can step forward and give back to the world. By no means is this a perfect method or practice to begin the day, but it’s my ritual.
Are we just sheep? This framed gouache painting is $90 + shipping. It will be in the Bruno’s Lucky 13 display unless you order it now.
So, now Thanksgiving of the United States is upon us.
We are hosting 6 friends in our small apartment. My husband is a great cook and baker so it’s best to stay out of the kitchen for 3 days leading up to the celebration. I take over housecleaning, laundry, last -minute grocery runs, and dishwashing (before and after). While I am grateful to be preparing for two more art exhibitions and finishing illustrations for a children’s book for publication, this is Gary’s show. My job is to not over-eat, and while he carves the turkey, I carve out a little time here and there to paint in between all the preparations and celebrations. See pieces I’m sharing at the December 14 Group Exhibition ( link below)
Life has been bountiful this year.
I spent a couple of years approaching cafes and venues that could host my art, and was faced with lots of polite smiles but no commitments. Then, suddenly, the floodgates opened this Fall, and I have been able to place my work in four venues. I’ve sold a little, but oddly enough, I had visualized “sharing” the work rather than “selling” the work, so it’s all good. And it literally pays to be specific. I also wanted to become more connected with other local artists and creatives, and attended a bunch of Meetup groups and Facebook art groups until I found some that were a “fit” for me. So, this Thanksgiving, like every day, I’m thankful for the opportunity to keep on painting, sharing, selling, and enjoying the company of others-oh I’m grateful for my morning mug of coffee.
