Friday, October 29, 2010

Balloons Make Me Happy

Balloons Make Me Happy, collage/acrylic, 12 x 12
Elizabeth W. Seaver
Sold

My baby brother is 50 today.  Congratulations, John!

Well, dear friends, I have missed you.  I've been away visiting family, but I have squeezed in some painting time.  This is one of the pieces I've finished.
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Have you noticed that even when we get what we say we want, it doesn't make us happy?  Is it just that we need to decide to be happy, as in "don't worry; be happy, or fake it 'til you make it?"  No doubt we're looking at the wrong stuff to make us happy.  It definitely isn't the stuff that makes us happy.  Or other people.
It is a gift to be able to be unhappy constructively.  I mean, let's face it, we're not always going to be chirpy and bright.  That's just irritating.  So, how do we navigate through those darker times without unloading buckets of gloom on those around us?  Well, the bad news is, you have be a grown-up to be able to manage that.  And you must watch for happy moments...pounce on them...and throw a party.
So, let's hear it for trying to become grown up--without becoming old--and celebrating the joys of life as they happen.  Let's see what happens when we spend some time wallowing in that instead of the things we can't change.  
(If I sound preachy, forgive me.  I often talk to myself.....)

10 comments:

Jean Spitzer said...

let's celebrate

Sarah said...

I have never striven (is that a word??) to be happy, instead I've tried to find those things that bring me satisfaction - regardless of whether I'm happy, sad or anything in between. For me that usually means making art, or travelling, or simply experiencing. Dare I say this, but i think that the inclusion of the right to Happiness in the American constitution is not such a good thing: too many people think they 'ought' to be happy all the time and this is just, in my opinion, impossible - and it then gets linked to having things. Anyway, as you say, isn't ALL experience valuable? I'd rather have the full range of emotional experience, even if some of it is deeply painful. Feeling is what tells me I'm alive!

Carole Barkett said...

Not preachy, just a nice reminder, love the expression

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

This business of happiness is not an easy one..each day is a choice...thanks for sharing your wisdom. I like your balloon...makes me happy!

RH Carpenter said...

LOL! I feel like this post was directed at me since I've been so unhappy lately. So time to pick myself up and stop whining - try to find the little gems of happiness throughout the day - and this painting is definitely one! (I do agree with curiouscrow about being satisfied - I like that word a lot as it has within in a feeling of calm, peace, contentment.)

-Don said...

I missed you. Now that you're back I can be happy again.

I love the expression on the ostrich's face. Too cool!

-Don

Artist said...

beautiful acrylic painting/collage. i love the background and the light bouncing off of the balloons!

scmorgan said...

Missed you. And thanks for this. Needed it:)

Celeste Bergin said...

I needed that speech and I like your painting.

Leslie Brier, Brier Design Studio said...

You don't sound preachy at all. It's good food for thought. Sometimes I feel like the dog that chased a car and finally caught it. Then, I'm thinking, so now what? Being in the moment is good. Sometimes after you dream big, you have to regroup and dream bigger. (or smaller if that's what feels right!)