Tuesday, April 9, 2024

More on happiness

 

Today's Happy Pansies
Acrylic ink and marker on paper
5.5 x 8.5 inches
Barbara Muir © 2023

I have one friend who is very suspicious of happiness.  Yes the world is a
hard place right now, but I feel that's all the more reason to acknowledge 
the happiness we have, when we experience it. I found a post from last 
year that makes a lot of sense to me, and may help me sleep tonight.

The second opening of the Heliconian A Portrait by Any Other Name
show is on tomorrow, and I will be there from 6 - 7:30 p.m.  Please
come out and see the show if you're in the neighbourhood of 35 Hazelton
Ave.

"It’s too bad that happiness as a concept is suspect. Because
ultimately there’s nothing more important in life than figuring
out how to be happy. I woke up this morning wondering if just
saying the word "happy" could make you happy. I’m not talking
about being in the middle of a period of deep grief. I mean on an
ordinary day, when nothing awful has happened if you woke up
in the morning and thought I am happy, would it affect the day

When I painted this painting, I was thinking not just happy, but
extremely happy thoughts about how amazingly beautiful spring flowers
 are. Yes I do have a thing for pansies.  

And as one of my former bosses used to say -- here's
the thing.  People feel guilty about feeling happy when so many people
in the world are suffering horrible wars and famine.  My question is
how is your deliberate avoidance of your own happiness helping?
March, protest, contribute, donate, vote, speak up, and in all the good moments
in your life cherish your happiness.

Have a loving your life day.

2 comments:

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

Beautiful painting ❣️❣️❣️ I find just putting on a smile helps bring on the feeling of happiness. Then suddenly one is happy 😃❤️❤️❤️

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you so much Evelyn,

Thinking about what makes me happy, makes me happy.

You make me happy. Thank you for your comments.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!