Joyful and Grateful

I wasn’t sure what to write about this week but I knew I wanted to share some of my recent Makers’ Hands photographs from sessions with generous artists in February and March. The first photos I looked at were of a friend getting a tattoo that said “Joyful and Grateful.”

Perfect!

I Feel Joyful and Grateful

“Happiness arises from getting what you want, and this comes and goes. Joy arises from being with what is – all of it!”
― Mary O’Malley

Each time I do a photo shoot with another artist for my Makers’ Hands project I become fascinated with their art process and their personal story about making art. I think, “I want to do that,” about every single project I photograph. Then I come home and take a deep breath and realize that what I’m doing photographing and spending time with these artists is exactly what I’m meant to be doing right now.

Making this series of photos is teaching me more about who I am and how I create.

I don’t need to take up a new art form though if I want to I can. Simply being in the presence of people who are following their joy makes me feel more joyful.

“All things want to float as light as air through the world witnessing all that is. I am a mote of dust floating freely in the firmament, a person who merely is, and I feel full of joy for all worldly treasures, the immaculate gift of life.”
― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls

Being grateful helps me to feel more joyful.

Gratitude is the foundation of joy.

It’s worthwhile to make a practice of gratitude.

Notice beauty in your ordinary life. Pay attention to simple things like having hot and cold running water and a roof over your head, getting a smile and hug from a friend.

Each night before you go to bed list 3 things you are grateful for. Or start a gratitude list. Keep adding to it every day. See the obvious gifts in each day. Look for the not so obvious gifts.