The Holidays can be a very stressful time of the year. The stress often leads to crankiness and bad moods. We all want to be happy during this joyous season, but it's hard. ​

​Here are a few suggestions of ways to Get-Your-Happy-On during the holiday season.

Make it a HAPPY day - and season!

This is a picture that I took in 2013 as I was creating my book Moments Meant to Savor. It is the background for one of the first pages in the book. When I look at this, and the turkey that I collaged in the refridge, I am always think of thanksgiving.

Today, as I look at this image, I am reminded of thanksgiving, but I am struck with a feeling of gratitude. I recall creating this refrigerator and all the food and giggling my way through it! I had so much fun figuring out how to make paper look like an eggplant, and BBQ sauce, and a milk jug. It was a blast to figure out that a little bit of vellum made the vegetable look like they were in the crisper drawers. And it cracked me up that a turkey on a platter with a typed-on drumstick looked at home on the top shelf. I was so jazzed each time my paper was cut into the perfect shape and looked just right!

I loved the creation process! I am so grateful that I dared to illustrate my book...because without that...I would not be creating the art that I create today.

The book, and this refrigerator especially, was the beginning of me finding my love for mixed media collage art. It was the beginning of believing that I could create "good stuff". It was the beginning of me slowly relaxing into the "artist" title and owning my creativity.

But it was hard. So many times, I wondered, "Who did I think I was to illustrate a book??!!" Often, I looked at my illustrations I am wanted to crumple them up and throw them into the trash can - and sometimes, I did! I seconded guessed my abilities daily and I swore to give-up, almost as much.

But I pushed passed my negativity and insecurities and just kept moving forward.

So today, on the eve of thanksgiving, I am grateful for my journey and the courage that it took to get here.

What are you THANKFUL for? 
​
Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

Make it a HAPPY (and grateful) day!

ps - if you are interested in learning more about my book Moments Meant to Savor click here.

Last month I joined an online group for soul-driven women entrepreneurs called Hello Soul Hello Business led by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Kempton and I am really jazzed about some of the amazing nuggets I have gained in such a short amount of time!

​Specifically, in their amazing workbook, Kelly and Beth really challenged me to understand WHY I share my artwork with the world through my business. This has helped me to become much clearer and focused.

So I thought I would share with you MY WHY.

While doing the exercises in the workbook three items became crystal clear to me...

1. If I create a piece of artwork and share it... if someone smiles, because of that creation, then that art matters.
2. I believe that sending happy energy out into the world positively impacts others. 
3. Especially in our current times, Our world needs more positive energy.

I even sketched our my vision of MY WHY...

So ultimately, ART is my little way to add more HAPPY into the world!

What's your WHY?

Make it a HAPPY Day!

ps...Click here if you want to learn more about Hello Soul, Hello Business.

A butterfly and a message of love!

Make it a HAPPY day!

Make it a HAPPY Day!