Gratitude: Painting Adversity into a Lovely Picture

Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture. This simple yet profound quote by Kak Sri is the perfect way for me to express my gratitude as Americans begin Thanksgiving week.

The past few years have been especially challenging for many people, including artists. However, through my own personal trials I have learned the importance and the power of giving, for ‘a clenched fist cannot receive anything, but an open hand can hold much’.
For me, keeping an attitude of gratitude throughout the day is now becoming a habit. Giving thanks does not have to wait for bended knee, I find myself giving thanks when I am stuck at a red light or standing in a long line at the grocery store. “Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.” ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear
“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” ~G.K. Chesterton
The festival of giving thanks has been attributed to the ending of the harvest season, and the on slot of winter. Ancient cultures gave thanks and gratitude to their god or gods for a successful harvest. The American Pilgrims established Thanksgiving to honor the blessings from God.
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you’?”  ~William A. Ward.
I am grateful for my many blessings of family, friends, social media friends and to my FineArtTips.com readers. I appreciate your continued support of this blog and for your support of the Arts.
Blessings to you all,
Lori 🙂
PS. I would also enjoy meeting you on Twitter ,  Facebook and Google Plus! Are you curious about my paintings? You can visit my art website to see my paintings. ~Lori