But guess what else?
Turns out, when you cannot find one single thing to be grateful for, it doesn't matter. You don't have to find anything. Remembering to search in the first place matters most.
From the research: Remembering to be grateful is a form of emotional intelligence. One study found that it actually affected neuron density in both the ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortex. These density changes suggest that as emotional intelligence increases, the neurons in these areas become more efficient. With higher emotional intelligence, it simply takes less effort to be grateful.
I'm in!
Many's the time I search really hard to find something to be grateful for when I look at what I've put on a canvas.
In fact, I've got my searchlight on right now. I'm irritated by my "messing up" the first of the two bookmarks in progress below (naming what one's feeling is another upward spiral, by the way, but I'll save that for another day), so now I'm searching both for gratitude and solutions to the problems I've created.
I'll let these refrigerate for a couple of days.
All good, I tell ya!
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| bookmark in progress |
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| bookmark in progress |
9 comments:
This morning as the sun is coming over the roof of my neighbors house I am grateful for finding such a wonderful friend that not only inspires my creative endeavors but stirs my mental activity as well.
I'm in too!
The first one makes me think of tall reeds at waters edge, and a hint of water lilies. The second is wide open. It is wonderful beginning with room for oodles of Dotty doodles! I see a bit of lights reflecting in water... a la Van Gogh :) Today I was thankful for the pink and purple trees, the golden yellow bushes, and the fresh spring greens everywhere. Oh and for the Dollar Tree Lemon cookies I brought home. LOL
Lemon cookies!!! Yummy!!!
Carol, this morning as I wake in the dark of a Seattle hotel room to the hum of an air circulating fan (!) I am grateful for the eyes, mind, and heart of a geographically distant friend who not only responds to my art but also responds to my inner spirit.
Thank you!
Sheila, your thoughtful eyes-of-the-beholder comments give me welcome information. Thank you once again for taking the time and care to pop into my studio from across the country to add to the liveliness of my painting experience.
Enjoy the spring finery around you, and the lemon cookies!
Ah..this is kinda what I just wrote in my comment about keeping a gratitude journal. :) I do think it makes you happier because it slows down/stops so much negative thinking. I'm always looking for the good now.
If a painting doesn't work out how I planned, I think about how happy I am to have spent time painting, instead sitting in front of the tv or wasting my life playing a game on my phone. And, I'm sure to thank myself for using my time wisely later when I write it down. :)
yes, yes, yes!
Dear Dotty just discovered your blog and art. Enjoyed reading several of your posts. Especially enjoyed this one on gratitude. I am grateful I found your blog! Have a great day.
Hey, Debbie, thanks for stopping by. How'd you discovered my blog/art? Glad you enjoyed reading some posts and that this gratitude piece resonated with you.
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