"follow your bliss." 6"x6" acrylic on paper
(text added in picnik)
I'm going to be honest, this week has been a mixed bag of emotions for me... I am in the thick of an online course that is opening my eyes to a whole new, revolutionary way of thinking about business. But, as exciting as that is, I also find myself spending many hours at Corky's bedside as she recovers from a stroke that waylaid the wonderful rehabilitation she had gone through previously. (She was supposed to be going home this week.)
I normally consider myself an optimistic, happy-go-lucky person, but I have to admit this latest emergent event threw me for a loop. What I have come to realize though, is that optimism is what has been getting me through this string of medical mishaps that started over the summer... It is a beacon of light as I cling to a raft of simple joys in a sea of troubled waters. I think that is why Liv Lane's latest feature and blog hop, "The Little Bliss List", really resonates with me, and why I feel like it is the perfect way to round out my week of focusing on kindness.
So, here it is... Things that are making me happy...
This week's "Little Bliss List":
1. The fantastic community over at Paint Party Friday... When EVA and I created it, we never dreamed that the response would be so great... Seeing the ever-increasing group of talented and diverse painters each week makes my heart sing!
2. Creating a "Take What You Need" pdf and sharing it in my last post... Thinking of all the kindness spreading far and wide makes me smile from ear-to-ear! (If you would like to download the pdf, you can get it here.)
3. The sound of squealing laughter as Tyler, Bob, and I ran from room to room "Scooby-Doo style".
4. A spur of the moment dinner with my boys that tasted like summer.
5. Finding a sweet spot on the street near the hospital so that I didn't have to use the ramp for one day. (This may seem kinda silly - but it made my day!)
A hard week but so full of blessing to be thankful for too. I hope next week is better for you. Love this painting - its simplicity speaks volumes.
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So sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it Kristin, sending you lots of hugs.
ReplyDeleteLoving your beautiful serene painting. Happy PPF, Annette x
Lifting you in prayer for healing and health. Glad you can still find the bliss in the midst of difficulty. Isn't that the secret to a happy life? :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your painting, and your bliss list! You're going through a tough time and dealing with it the best way you can!
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your week. hopefully all will be well soon. love your bliss painting!
ReplyDeleteYour art today is so peaceful- so full of bliss. Thank you for reminding me to focus on the bliss - there are moments of bliss sprinkled in every day- and I need to savor them, enjoy them. This has been such a tough, and I imagine draining, time for you and your family. Hope she recovers quickly.
ReplyDeleteSorry that's it's been a rough week for you. I love your little bits of bliss that you enjoyed and shared.
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting! I love it.
ReplyDeleteLovely list.
Thinking of you! ox
Small things are those that give greater happiness, your blue sky with small clouds also I gave to my a little bit of happiness. Saludos
ReplyDeleteI've always said good things sometimes follow bad. So while you had a rough week, I am hoping that things start to get a little brighter.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kristin - I LOVE that painting! And I'm so thrilled you're participating in the Little Bliss List. And so glad you're able to see the bliss through the fog of difficult times. xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove list and great that you can find bliss during difficult times.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is so lovely... I hope things settle for you. It's is so hard when grandparents (or parents!) are sick :o/
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely simple painting! I looked at it a long time, soothing!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Dear Kristen, sorry to hear of your difficult times. I hope the blissful things carry your through! Pretty Painting! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteSorry your week was not peaceful, I hope it improves over the weekend. Is the course you are taking HSHB? Because that is blowing my mind, in a good, but overwhelming way.
ReplyDeleteI hope things in your life continue to get better. Whenever you feel down, just think of all the happiness and inspiration your Paint Party is spreading around the world, that's a pretty amazing accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you lots more blissful moments.
Happy PPF
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your grandmother. I am glad you are close enough to be able to spend time with her.
Beautiful colors in your bliss piece, Kristin. I'm sorry your week has been trying. Thanks for being host for PPF. It is the highlight of my week.
ReplyDeleteSorry you have had a rough week, but what a gift to be able to see and share some happiness in spite of things!
ReplyDeletei'm sorry to hear that things have been so difficult for you lately but you have such a wonderful attitude and i love that you manage to see the glass half empty even when things are wearing you down. i hope that fate starts shining on you and yours again soon. x
ReplyDeleteSending you distant Reiki healing and you sound like to have things in perspective ~ allow some time to just 'doodle' and let out some emotion if you can ~namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF
ReplyDeleteYou know I really hate getting older because it means we are faced with these things... grandparents are such precious creatures and watching them go through a lot is just too traumatic for words... so I am sending lots of positive energy your way, and so impressed you are finding your bliss in amongst everything... glad PPF is one of your moments, because it is certainly top of my list as well...xx
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the Scooby-Doo style running... is that where you run on the spot not getting anywhere??
ReplyDeleteSending you warmest healing wishes for Corky.
Absolutely love your painting! And the little bliss list is such a wonderful idea! Hope things will get better for you soon!
ReplyDeleteLove your BLISS LIST and the lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. It is but a season.
Happy PPF!
Sheri Cook/HappyHorseStudio
I love your wonderful attitude and your painting is really gorgeous. I hope things are better for you in the coming week.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you Kristin as you and your family are having a rough time. Your painting is lovely and this list is great!! Sometimes its the little things that can make us smile!
ReplyDeletexo
Love your painting. Keep your chin up so you can see that beautiful blue sky. Blessings coming your way.
ReplyDeleteYour painting says it all. You have really let the words stand alone and speak so powerfully! I love it. I hope you can take something from this during a hard time. Your bliss list is fabulous and most such a perfect discovery for you at this time. Sending love, Belinda (a BBTL 'er also)
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou have had such a positive impact on my life...I will be thinking of you and praying for you.
Your bliss list is inspiring.
♥♥♥
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
oooo I love your Bliss List. Its like my Happy Friday posts. And seriously... those lists end up making you feel even more blissful by the time your done writing them!
ReplyDeletePrayers and blessings coming your way from Ohio! Isn't it a miracle that you can find the blissful moments in the midst of sadness -- and kindness, too! Hooray!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and a wonderful bliss list! Your space you've created with the Paint Party has brought so much inspiration and joy to so many, may it return many times over! Sending you love and light, and happy PPF <3
ReplyDeletesending blissful healing thoughts to you and your family. Hope you can always find that silver lining :)xx
ReplyDeleteYour painting is so serene and lovely. I really love the "take what you need" what a wonderful idea. Sending love and light your way. xo
ReplyDeleteI hope today is a better day for you, Kristin. I really like your painting. <3
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin, You are always my ray of sunshine so I'm sorry to see that the clouds have moved in -- someone once told me that we all have a Red Sea time in our lives...can't go under it, can't go around it, just gotta go through it. Sending you big hugs ♥ (P.S. Total change of subject...I'm curious as to what online course you're taking in reference to business??)
ReplyDeletemore bliss, more joy,
ReplyDeletemore sweet goodness to you:)
(love, love the painting!)
-Jennifer
OMG I was so 'blissed' out I forgot to leave a comment ;) Actually I want to give you a hug, you Kristin (& Eva & PPF crew) have made my life a lot more social, you have linked me to people who's art I admire, people who have a chuckle, & sometimes a rant LOL people with great creative ideas & the spunk & knowledge to make them happen... I would never have had the opportunity to meet this collection of inspiring dudes out side of taking part in something you co-created... Thank you, I hope your lovely Grandmother is on the road to recovery after her setback, & I hope you continue to celebrate the 'bliss' in your life :)
ReplyDeletethat is my quest in life. Thank you for your lovely painting of it.
ReplyDeleteI too just want to thank you for the joy and inspiration you and Eva created when you started PPF- you are amazing and I truly admire you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Stephanie
I love this gentle painting. It strikes me as a wide open sanctuary xo
ReplyDeleteI am also am optimist. And yet.
Some things are sad and unfair and I've found I'm better off feeling that than trying to change my feelings. I am so sorry to hear of corky's setback; the timing is no doubt double hard. But she
To be continued... She's strong and loved and it's one step after another. For me that is the key: not to go too far with my thinking or fears
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful wonderful person
♥
kj
Hello Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your space here, and happy to see that you are finding bliss through the struggles. I hope that the bliss fills your days untill it pushes the rest out.
Healing prayers for Corky, and strength for you, as well.
xo, Anita
Love the Bliss idea. Nothing is silly that makes you happy. Your heart knows what you need. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteOh dear! When it rains, it pours, doesn't it? That's when you put on your brightest rain coat and boots and smile through it til the sun peeks back through. Best wishes to your gram for a speedy recovery. And big hugs to you! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Corky is still having such a bad time. I'm glad you haven't lost your optimism. The bliss list seems like a wonderful thing and yours made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you have had such a bad week. I want to say thank you for hosting PPF. I love what you and Eva do for all of us. The blessings you give to us will come back to you. Wishing you blissful days and restful nights.
ReplyDeleteNicole/Beadwright
i think it's terrific that you were able to squeeze so many good things out of the struggle! i'm loving liv's bliss list, too. i HAVE to get myself going on paint party friday!
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