H is for Happy
I choose to be happy! As a recovering perfectionist, it has not always been easy, because I used to focus on an issue's negative point and overlook all the positive ones. Perfectionism used to stifle my creativity and my ability to have good relationships during my youth. It helps that overall I am an optimistic person by nature, so I know how to look at the glass half full instead of halfway empty. I also learned to find the good in all people. I hate to admit it, but I will avoid pessimistic people, because it is easy to be sucked into their negativity. However, I will listen to them and help them find the positive in situations if they choose to seek help. A major influence in my life has been my faith in God, which was instilled in my by my parents at an early age. I know that I can do anything, if I just stop being afraid and believe in the strength, courage and wisdom that can be found in Him.
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| 1 Samuel 16:7 Mandala Art Journal Illustration EK Success Circle Ruler; Uniball Air Pen; Jolly Exakt Pen; Talens Opaque Watercolors; Sakura Calligrapher; Marvy Calligraphy Duo; Mechanical Pencil; and a stump. Karen's Word Art Wednesday #244-245 Art Journal Journey - Nature's Wonders Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday - Week 26 Year 6 Alexandra's Sunday Sketches - Week 6 Ramona's Inspire Me Monday |
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| It's 5 Somewhere! Greeting Card Tim Holtz Wild West Stamp Set; Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils; Ink Pads; Embossing Powder; Uniball Air Pen; Jolly Exakt Pen; Sticker Studio Tag; Martha Stewart Bandana Print Paper; Inkssentials Manila ATC; Kraft Cardstock Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - It's A Stitch Up Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesday - H is for Happy Hour Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 378 |
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| Kelly's Dog iPhone 6s Shot Our Beautiful World ~ OBW162 Sunlight |
I hope you all can find happiness in your lives, as I have. Thank you for following my blog and taking the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Blessings!
Beautiful art work, thanks so much for joining us at AJJ, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet dog!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences and lessons learnt while striving to be happy. :) I agree and try to follow them.
ReplyDeleteHappy ABCW! :)
Lovely picture of the dog having sun bath, that's what my dog love doing in the day. Thanks for sharing with us at Our Beautiful World!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am a perfectionist and constantly struggling, it is not an easy path as it leads to my depression, I am not sure if I can pick up myself and be like you, at this point, I am just taking it one day at a time, thanks for sharing your thoughts too!
A wonderful, happy and positive post..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and flower mandala, thank you for linking to AJJ.
Gill :)
Amazing art - an adorable mandala and I love the pretty dog !
ReplyDeleteYou are a happy and wise christian!
Blessings and thank you very much for joining us at Art Journal Journey!
oxo Susi
I am just like you- a recovering perfectionist. I think when you expect perfect and its not, you just naturally find fault when it isn't perfect. But I think working on art really helps me becomes less of a perfectionist. Especially doing art in my journal, just for me. Love your pieces this post! :) Erika
ReplyDeleteHi Arnoldo....how glad you've made me with your first lines!
ReplyDeleteLately I've busy (still am) with mindfulness-based therapies and I feel better week after week... It indeed is a very hard and long road but the gain is worth all the pain.
Wishing you all the HAPPINESS one can have for the rest of your life!
Have a nice ABC-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (ABC-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/abc-wednesday-19-h/
Your mandala and verse are beautiful and very moving!
ReplyDeleteSurrounding yourself with positive people is wise I believe.
Fun card you created and cute doggie too!
Blessings to you and yours
Good morning! A very optimistic post. Hope you don't find my post too pessimistic. Lovely work, and a great photo of Kelly's dog. Happy WOYWW! #36
ReplyDeleteGee, I could have written this post except not so well as you have! I'm so much like this except that my faith was instilled after my daughters were born. It is what keeps me bouncing back after every fall...I am determined to be happy now in all circumstances. What an awesome post to remind us that we are all weak unless we look to the order for strength and happiness. Have a HAPPY week, my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW. I also tend to put too much pressure on myself to get things perfect. I am coming to the realisation that I am rarely, if ever, perfect! The illustration on your journal page is amazing. Ali x #25
ReplyDeleteA great post Romero! I think mixed media has taught me to be less of a perfectionist and loosen up a bit. I try to be optimistic, but it's not always easy. Love the mandala and Kelly dog is so cute! Enjoy your week! zsuzsa #18
ReplyDeleteI've always admired your optimism!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
A very thoughtful post Arnoldo and loving the photo of Kelly's dog. Have a great woyww, Angela x 11
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is just wonderful and the puppy looks so regal!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Chris #23
I have daily happiness and I am thankful, for sure!
ReplyDeleteLove how you've made the wild west card, great use of the stamp set, look s really hand drawn!
I have daily happiness and I'm grateful! The detail in the Mandala is amazing, you must have enjoyed dong that, it does allow the mind to relax.
ReplyDeleteHI Arnoldo,
ReplyDeleteI love reading and viewing your HANDIWORK always makes me HAPPY
and often uplifted by the appropriate texts from the Bible.
Your creativity is amazing, little wonder you feel HAPPY,
Bringing so much pleasure to so many is really HEARTENING.
HAPPY days and blessings my friend,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I am a work in progress and as such I usually am leaning one way or another on an issue BUT like you I make a conscious choice to make the day happy and good every day! Negative abounds now days…need to focus on the positive. Beautiful work you shared. I love the mandala! Have a great week. Vickie #45
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a recovering perfectionist! I laughed out loud. I think that really does need to be a thing, because you are so right. LOVE the medallion and the colors, and that puppy is precious...cool pic!
ReplyDeleteOooooh that mandala is absolutely gorgeous !! i always get such uplifting vibes whenever I visit you :)
ReplyDeleteCheers!!
http://beneathmyheartart.blogspot.in/2016/08/the-showstopper_31.html
Beautiful work this week Arnoldo!
ReplyDeleteThis is so happy post, Arnoldo. Your art is most beautiful and what a adorable doggie!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy weekend xx
Love your kaleidoscope painting and calligraphy! Beautiful detailed work.
ReplyDeleteWishing you happiness each day ~ Lovely creations ~ varied and wonderful ~ Love the doggie!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Holiday Weekend ~ ^_^
It' hard to be perfect!!! Sometimes it gets in the way of creating art....Love your latest, especially your dog photo, beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteI am with you Arnoldo. I love to find the happy-and if one would really look (esp the pessimistic ones)there is happy to be found somewhere in each and every day. Your mandala is absolutely gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteFun card too. Have a great holiday weekend and happy PPF too!
Wow these are impressive pieces of art. The first one is my favorite. Very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour three pictures are all so different. The mandala and the writing with it are beautiful. Then the saloon with "It's 5 Somewhere" is just great. Love the little painting. And then the picture....it is precious. Love that purple bow. Hope you have a good school year. genie
ReplyDeleteWow what a lovely piece of writing. How easily you told ways to stay positive and happy in life . Actually there are few blessed with such optimistic approach
ReplyDeleteThe little dog is so cute! Thank you for sharing at OBW.
ReplyDeleteYep me too!! Perfectionism is limiting, unattainable, debilitating!! So glad that's not me now...however it made for some pretty fun celebrations with beauty all around! It was a lot of work and stress!! I must admit there were times it made me so happy to have everything looking perfect..as it usually involved some type of creativity. Beautiful artwork and scripture! I always choose happiness!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Beautiful mandala. You are so right about the negativity, life is so much better when you turn away from it.
ReplyDeleteA very nice post. I, too, am a optimistic person and hate it when people are negative. It just drags you down!
ReplyDeleteFabulous projects and love the doggy picture. Is really sweet. And what a great post about positivity and seeing things not from a negative point of view. I've lessons to learn on that one for sure. Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra
ReplyDeleteI don't know when I consciously made that choice of being happy. Maybe it's when I reclaimed Christmas for myself. :-) Your happiness reflects in your work, most definitely.
ReplyDeleteThis post topic resonates with me being that my art background was in the realistic realm and it brought out the perfectionist in me. It has been a battle to knock that perfectionism down a peg or two but I think I'm finally getting to the point where I am not overworking my sketches. Less is more, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteYour mandala is so beautiful, Arnoldo! Love the saloon and the doggy is adorable! Labradoodle? Groodle?
Have a beautiful week. :)