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Smart Thinking: Keep Looking at the Good |
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Greetings!
As we all have experienced and know, things don't always go as planned in life. In times of challenge, we're encouraged to go with the flow, breathe in and breathe out, trust that all is well, and have faith that at some point in the future we will look back on whatever is going on and find the silver lining.  Change happens. Whether perceived as good or bad, we each make choices on what to do with it, how we react, and what's next. We observe how others deal with change and grow with each of our experiences.
Serenity Gardens closed in December, and I've since moved to a lovely house in Venice where I have set up my studio and offices. To get back with YOU, THE PEOPLE, I'm sharing my art at Theresa Foley's Cat Coalition booth at the Venice Farmer's Market on Saturdays. In addition to over a hundred fabulous stores around the U.S., I have my Heartful Art at six local venues so far: Mystic See in Englewood, Papillon in Punta Gorda, Serenity Eyewear on the Island in Venice, Kennedy Studios on Main Street in Sarasota, Hypnosis Venice (on Venice Ave near the 41 Bypass) and the bookstore at the Unity Church of Venice. I bought a used Plymouth Voyager mini-van so, for the first time ever, my paintings fit in my vehicle. Woo-hoo. I plan to travel to small art and craft shows later this year and next as I explore this part of America which is all new to me. All of this is very exciting - in keeping with my current theme of "life as a grand adventure". I've painted my first palm trees on 4"x4" canvas and I have been painting little originals called ACEOs while painting with the kids at the Farmer's Market booth in Venice. I discovered ACEOs in March of '08. They're little 2.5x3.5 Artist Trading Cards, so I've started my own collection as well, trading them with artists all over the world. I'm pricing mine at 25% of my usual price points so collectors everywhere can afford them. They're unmatted, unframed and are all one-of-a-kind originals. So cute. So far, I have them for sale in Heartful Art's Etsy store, but will soon add them to my website as well. Enough about me and my journey. Here are some of my new treasures. |
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 In times like these, it's tempting to look out in the world and see people, situations or circumstances on which to place blame.
Years ago a spiritual teacher encouraged me to consider that when the finger of blame is pointed out at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at me. I took that to heart and have been a student on the path of tending my own garden for years.
Another truth to consider is until we "walk a mile in their shoes" we don't really know the hows and whys of another person's experience. Good reason to stay out of it and stay focused on what's going on in our own lives that we can take greater responsibility for, do better at, and be clearer with - without placing blame on ourselves either. Rather, we can simply take one day at a time, make one choice at a time, and be strengthened as we get better and better as we move through life.
Just the simple act of staying out of judgment does wonders for a person's self-esteem. Plus, without wasting energy on making someone else wrong, we have more for ourselves, our work, and more positive energy to share with our family and friends. Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." In times like these, having all of us be eternally vigilant to tend our own gardens, and keep focused on the good, we will rise like a phoenix into greater consciousness, have greater life experiences in the process, and truly make this a world that Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and all of us pray for and envision.
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 There is so much to be grateful for, so much beauty and good in the world. I'm keeping my eyes, heart and mind focused in the direction of the good.
I wish you the most precious of Valentine's Days. Every day of the year.
Sincerely,
Raphaella Vaisseau
Heartful Art, Inc.
941-993-7001
Follow my blog: Raphaella's Journey Continued
Facebook: Raphaella Vaisseau
Twitter: heartfulart |
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We ship everywhere - world wide. Note that when shipping outside the USA we use the U.S. Postal Service to avoid third-party broker fees. If you place an order and think the shipping charges are not what they should be, please, don't panic. Call or e-mail Raphaella. We will calculate the shipping and we'll do the order on the phone instead. We need to know what the problems are in order to fix them so you help is very much appreciated. After the website crash in March of '08, and since the migration to the new shopping cart, we're finding and fixing a lot of little inconveniences and it will probably go on for quite some time. Believe that we're all about making it work for you. Thanks.
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