November’s Brushstroke: Gratitude

How did that happen so fast? One minute we're soaking up warm sunshine, and the next—bam!—the calendar flips, and the world seems to pick up speed. Before we tumble into full-on "holiday", fall, and soon-to-be winter mode, it feels like the perfect moment to remember to pause, breathe, and make a little art.

November's theme is Gratitude.
Not the polished, picture-perfect kind—but the everyday, heartfelt kind that shows up quietly between sips of coffee, shared laughter, or a deep exhale at the end of a long day.

In an email this morning from the Mindfulness and Health Institute, I was reminded of an appreciation for Gratitude I liked... https://mindfulnessandhealthinstitute.org.

Leaves of Gratitude

•  "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
  - Excerpt from Marianne Williamson Quote. 
  

•  "When we reflect on all that we are grateful for, it is our natural tendency to direct our attention outward..While these are all deserving aspects of our lives to appreciate, it is also important to be thankful for ourselves....

•  Self-appreciation is often misunderstood. We may fear that by acknowledging our own strengths or by offering ourselves kindness, we will seem selfish, boastful, or self-centered. Yet genuine self-appreciation is none of those things. It is about acknowledging our own inherent goodness. It involves noticing and being grateful for the extraordinary qualities that make us unique."

Through simple lines, colors, and marks, I explore how art can help me see the goodness that's already woven throughout my life. Both Gratitude and creativity invite us to slow down, notice beauty, and connect with what truly matters. Now is the perfect time to fill your own cup, shine brightly, and feel the goodness!

So, before the holiday chaos sweeps us away, let's gather our thoughts, recognize not only the goodness around us but also that we, too, are human, with goodness, and that we all deserve some self-compassion in these very turbulent times. 

...And here's a little fun fact: There's an ancient Celtic symbol for Gratitude. It's said to represent how thankfulness sits at the center of all things. What a beautiful reminder for this season. That's what's in the middle of the gratitude art piece above. 

 - Happy November from me (Liz)