Sunday Smiles
Happy Sunday my friends! You know what makes me smile? When two photos I think about sharing inadvertently seem to pair so well together visually (or maybe it's just me)! The lily pads kind of play off the color and shapes in the first photo... But anyways, let's move from the artistic composition to the content of these photos!
The first photo includes some mail that made me smile. I got the most beautiful little package a few days ago from my friend Sandra. In it (along with a lovely note) were those two beautiful coasters, which she made, one for me and one for my grandma. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gift, and really just made my day. We've been using them and admiring how pretty they are! Thanks again Sandra!! (I also just love all of the fun stamps on the mailing envelope!)
The shot of the lily pads was taken on a kayak ride yesterday. While paddling around I was thinking about how I should take the kayak out more often as I enjoy it so much. In general I think it's important just to be cognizant of what makes us happy. Lately it seems there is less and less to smile about after watching the news. I find it hard not to internalize all of the depressing things going on around the world. I turn into a sponge, soaking in whatever negative feelings, sentiments and situations I find myself in contact with, leaving me in a funk. So what am I to do?
I think I have a couple of options; 1. I can lose all faith in humanity, crawl under a rock and live out my days being bitter and disappointed, 2. I can play ignorant, imagine I live in a perfect rainbows-and-kittens world where everyone treats everyone with kindness and respect, and try to be content in my naivete or 3. I can try my best to be positive and happy, with the knowledge that there are lots of awful things I can't do anything about, because a positive kind act or word put into the world, no matter how small, can make an impact.
Look at those coasters for example. An act of kindness, all the way from Switzerland, reminded me that there are kind people out there thinking about the wellbeing of other people. It made me smile. And what if I took that smile, and smiled at the next stranger I saw out and about? Perhaps that stranger was having a bad day and needed a similar reminder... I really believe that our thoughts and attitudes can affect others, both positively and negatively, so why not try to contribute in a more positive, healthy and good way? I know it's not a new or mind-blowing concept, but I think the most important and most effective concepts are the simple ones. And unfortunately (and paradoxically) they are the ones that are the hardest to implement.
Well, this post turned into an unexpected rant! I truly hope you all have a fantastic day, and maybe you can take the things that are making you smile, and turn them into things to make someone else smile!
So glad the coasters arrived OK, Kate! The envelope was sent from France because they had some rather posh stamps at the time. They show the artistic talent of Art Nouveau art by Gustav Klimt from Austria.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your text as you worked out the best attitude you can have to life just the way it is... though a few rainbows and kittens are rather lovely too!
Enjoy your kayaking and happy Sunday!
What a lovely gift - that was very nice of Sandra.
ReplyDeleteI think #3 is the best way to live your life. A simple smile will go a long way. Have a great day. :)
Thanks, and I agree!!
DeleteHave a lovely one!
Kate :}
Lovely pictures and look at the envelope! Work of art itself :-)
ReplyDeleteThis morning I'm looking at crochet patterns on the computer and listening to CNN, where all is doom and gloom and people all over the world are murdering each other, often in the name of whatever is passing for their religion, and there are no kittens or rainbows. And I come across this beautiful envelope containing lovely handmade items for a blogger and her grandma, mailed to (I don't know where you are) by a Swiss friend from France with awesome stamps showing the work of an Austrian artist. The first thing that drew my attention was the way the shapes in the coasters echo the shapes of the lily pads, and then how the theme of the content echos my own on this day. Thank you for sharing your positive outlook, and making it easier to maintain one!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you ran across this post (sounds like synchronicity!) and I'm glad that it spoke to you. It certainly is difficult these days to maintain a positive outlook... I'm reminded of a Martin Luther King Jr. quote: "Darkness cannon drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannon drive out hate: only love can do that."
DeleteWishing you a wonderful week (from upstate New York)!
Happy crocheting!
Kate :}