My dear friends, if you know anything about me it’s that I’m a very positive person. I have lived my life intentionally for the most part.
Despite the Covid fears, social unrest and loss of business, I’ve managed to have a happy year with my family and friends.
However, Drew and I took a couple weeks off to spend Thanksgiving holidays with family. And you would think the joyful time with our incredible family would make me even happier.
But here’s what happened….
Being off work for 2 weeks left me with too much time to GET IN TUNE WITH THE NEWS. Slowly, like a frog in hot water, I didn’t realize that my spirit was being dimmed by it.
I got irritated, depressed and angry. I lost who I was for too many days.
The timing was a perfect storm, because when we got back to re-open our gallery, our California Governor shut down all non-essential businesses for the Christmas shopping season!
I got depressed. I resisted it. I cursed and screamed and cried a little.
Grumpy, angry, unhappy became my daily emotion.
But that’s not who I really am.
After too many days of feeling HOPELESS, I had an epiphany.
I realized that I had lost my own compass. I was joining everyone else’s and had lost sight of what I want for my own life.
Negative news will kill your spirit. Constant exposure to negative news will instill FEAR and take away your JOY.
I want to be happy, so I committed to getting back on track with my own Intentional Living.
While I can’t stop the pandemic, I have all the power over my own happiness.
My intention NOW is to switch the fear emotion to a love emotion. The anger to joy. The frustration to creation.
And I’m doing that by intentionally focusing on what I would love to be, do and have within my power.
I would love to invite you, my inner circle, on this journey with me. If you have been feeling some of what I described above, and you want to get a handle on it and live intentionally, join me!
I’m rolling out an experimental INTENTIONAL LIVING Text Reminder program (it’s free) and I’d love for you to join.
SIGN UP HERE. It’s free and it’s an experiment that you will enjoy being a part of!
You’ll receive short texts from me with reminders to be intentional in your daily life – and I’ll include info that will help you stay on your own path in a positive way.
This is something I’ve been called to do to help all of us who struggle right now. It’s going to help me, and I know it will help you.
I’m giving it to you for free – though the texting program costs me money – I feel the need to share this with you. I can’t make positive changes alone, so I invite you to be a part of it with me!
Please sign up, and you can opt-out anytime by texting back “stop” if you don’t resonate with my messages.
If you join my text program, I’ll “see” you soon!
If not, I’d like to encourage you to stay intentional and follow your own hopes and dreams. Don’t allow the current world affairs to derail you and dim your light.
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week.
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON BEING INTENTIONAL IN A WORLD GONE MAD! I would love hear how you are staying positive during these times.
Thanks for reading,
Maria xxoo
Thanks Maria.
Thoughts are with you and Drew and kids. My wife’s niece and husband live in LA, originally from here (AB Canada) and we all know how hard it is to be away from family and friends.
I intentionally paint 45 minutes to an hour every morning as part of my relaxation, motivation, inspiration and joy in my day. Dave, Calgary
Dave, thanks for the message! I love that you are committed to your daily painting practice. So good for the soul!
Hi Maria, I just signed up for your text and am so looking forward to them. I wish I could give you a real hug so please accept my virtual hug. I can relate to everything you were feeling. My job was eliminated this year, my virtual assistant job has not taken off as I had hoped, and it has been 34 years next week since my brother has been imprisoned with no release insight despite all my efforts. I am his victim but Florida doesn’t care. Anyway enough of the gloom, I have followed you for years and you have given me the courage to use the loss of my job to follow my dreams. I have always wanted to be an artist and although I may not be the best, I will give it my best and because of your encouragement I know it will be great. So thanks bunches!!!
Karen, sorry about your brother and your job.
I hope things look up for you soon. And thanks for the Virtual Hug! I needed that 🙂
Maria,
I would have loved to be part of your texting program! I read your newsletter and it was exactly what I needed to read. I was ready to sign up, but my postcode says London, unfortunately.
Nonetheless, thank you for all the beautiful things your do/are. Discovered your book through audible and enjoy reading your thoughts.
Cristina
Thanks Cristina, sorry about the texting not being available to you as you’re overseas. I’ll have to come up with another program for my out of the country friends soon!
Aloha Maria, it’s a strange and scary world we live in these days. Some days I find myself in a funk and a bit overwhelmed by the daily news. I spend most of my days in my art studio creating or teaching or working on my websites. I try not to look at the news until I get home at night. Even then, I only half pay attention to it. It’s just all so depressing. I singed up for your experimental text messaging program. I think it’s a wonderful idea and I’m looking forward to it. Mahalo for all you do.
Darice, thanks for signing up and for this comment. Glad to hear you are keeping up with your art practice! xxoo
Just an FYI….I thought you’d like to know I won the Drew Brophy / OPKIX giveaway….I’m super excited about it. Plus I bought the camera and I’m enjoying learning how to use it.
Mele Kalikimaka
Darice
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and heeding the call to reach other to others and spread some joy, courage, and intentionality! I luckily haven’t been circling the news as much lately, but I am still good at future worrying (which the news doesn’t help and the lack of a new stimulus plan)…but at the end of the day, you are right, we need to be more intentional about what we can do in the here in now. My intention is to do work that truly brings me joy, not do work out of fear of not making enough money even in this slow/jilted economic time.
Beth, so good to hear from you! I always love seeing your photos on Instagram. “I am still good at future worrying” OMG me too! I’m really trying to change that. It’s a daily practice for sure!
I love this! So true. My intention is to see the good in all people, in all situations, regardless of what is going on. To remember that the light is far more powerful than the shadow, the good far outweighs the bad, and the most powerful thing I can do is keep my light on, keep my energy up, from the inside out.
Laurel, I LOVE WHAT YOU WROTE! Thanks for the inspiring words. We all need to see the good in people – as nearly all people are good. Thank you for the reminder!
Hi Maria, You are so right. You can not change the world but the way you live the situation. I took the same decision in march. When our country was locked down I worked furiously all day creating a free painting class for kids, started a new blog, learning new things, sending cards to elderly homes.. I have not stopped ever since. To stay ‘zen’ I go sketching outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. It was also a time of reflection. We teach our kids to stand up for the weaker once in the schoolyard. I keep that mindset when I put on the mask and take some distance. I do it with love for my next one. My husband and I are both self-employed. It is not an easy time and also important to think of everyone in the same situation. To shop from them or by sending a mail if shops are closed. I am so grateful for others that do this for us. Great idea to reach out and get your project out there and stay positive!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Yvonne!
xxoo
Wow! You are so right and I am going to try and follow you lead.
Maria, thank you so much for all that you share of yourself. I have been following you for years, and the messages you put out are always so real and from your soul to each of our soul. I do read the paper, try not to watch too much tv news as they never tell enough of the story. At dinner, Mike and I hash out our emotions about the news, we vent! and then feel better.
On a personal level, I make sure I keep busy. For months, I was all right brain, painting, creating etc. This month, I am all left brain, building a website, working on my social media, and learning how to get my ducks in a row to get my art seen and sold. Having a goal in mind is very helpful. I do best when I micro focus.
Wishing you, your family, and all of your followers a happy, healthy holiday and new year.
Hi Maria,
As I have been feeling frustrated for years, your texts would certainly help, but I won’t be able to receive them as I don’t own a cell phone!
Your newsletters are always uncannily relevant & in line with my current thoughts so I will continue looking forward to those for now…!!
Maria, I don’t do smart phones and was a little disappointed that I couldn’t receive your generous help via email.
Your journey and how you were feeling resonates with me totally. Maria, you know how much I adore having you in my life. You inspire me to jump up and leave the other crazy stuff behind. But there are those days that leave us feeling that life should not be this difficult to travel through. Happily I have been able to keep them at bay for the most part and maintain a positive direction. But they can creep in and the feeling is so paralyzing.
So happy to join your intentions group. Looking forward to those intentional vibes.
Thanks Maria for your honesty and invitation to the journey.
Just want to mention that right now, online there is a very good and deep “Oprah Winfrey – Deepak Chopra” free meditation series: “Creating Peace from the Inside Out”:
https://chopracentermeditation.com/?sso_code=eyJpdiI6IkpnRXdoXC9zNkQwcE9CNWxIeXkwQTlnPT0iLCJ2YWx1ZSI6IjZ6bVQzZ1pwYzlcL2ZnM2E0c3BVRGtCa05Ic25pWENaQktuNkdMMnQ5WStwZFV4dzNsa214Tk9WdTY2YWpCSXV0azNZd21HdFU4bkRseE5GNmVhREVjcnFZaUlnM2hSdHQxV0V2NmpTWk5pND0iLCJtYWMiOiI2MjM1NGQ0NGRhMGNlYWRiYjU2YWYyY2Y5Y2YwYWNlYzk4MzNkMmVkZDk3NzM2NzlmMDEzMzQ1ZDExMjJhNzAyIn0%3D
As always Maria, you are amazing. Thanks. I find that if I’m in a funk I go to a mirror in the house and force myself to smile really big and then my whole focus, mood and breathing shift and the funk likely will be laughed on out of me or more! <3 Looking forward to participating in your intentional experiment. infinite love and gratitude ~Emily
Thanks for the reminder to get back to my own journey.
I have not painted for two months.
I will get a brush in my hand today and work on getting back to my plans for the future and joy of today.
Always nicer to read about hard times in history books than to experience it in our face. No better time than to emulate those who put one foot in front of the other and be surprised at what you can pull out of yourself, (mixed metaphor notwithstanding!)
Some days when all systems are low, I find that an action, anything small, just getting a tad of momentum, moves us to a more positive place (like going from shade to sunshine). At times it is simply cleaning up myself for the day–even if I’m staying put.
Hi Maria,
Thank you for this post. It was definitely needed! I’ve been working from home and had actually felt guilty for taking the time off I earned. I went ahead and requested all my time off over the past few months and spent the past few days reading for joy.
Hi,
Maria,
Thank you for sharing your inner emotional journey with us.
I totally empathize.
I am in China, and 2020 will not be an easy year.
We have all experienced many difficulties and obstacles.
Negativity and depression or impatient emotions often trouble people.
But everything will pass, and the sun is still there.
I agree with your opinion.
Life needs more positive emotions.
Life is a journey, and everyone will reach the end at different times.
You will see both good and bad scenery along the way.
But no matter what the scenery is, we are always moving forward.
I adjust my mindset when I encounter difficulties.
I focus on drawing, or learn a new skill. I read, I practice yoga.
I go to bed and get up on time.
These little things will make me feel the meaning of life.
I subscribed to your program.
Give you a warm hug!
THANKS A LOT!
Thanks for your thoughts and sharing.
I agree the news is filled with negativity and it brings one down. I’ve switched to comedy programs and sappy Christmas movies to still hold the spirit of the season close.
I’d love to sign up to your program!
Cheers and Happy holidays,
i’m on board. I had an awful day. Too much information. Since I can’t do a thing about it I have decided to draw and paint and block out the world. Enough already! At least my art is happy!
The sun is still shining!
I’m on board. I had an awful day. Too much information. I relate in so many ways. Since I can’t do a thing about it I have decided to draw and paint and block out the world. Enough already! At least my art is happy!
The sun is still shining!
Thanks for your pure & simple positivity. Though I live very far away, but I can feel the vibes of love & hope.
Love & Blessings to you and your loved ones
It’s snowing today
My daughter asked me to make a snowman
With her
What an amazing opportunity to love each other
Love this Daniel! Enjoy the snow. It’s raining here in Southern California today….
Hi Maria,
This is why we love you! You’re like an anchor. And that’s why I have a gift for you. I felt the way you do and put together a group of artists for a social-distanced painting playdate in October. Then I self-published my first book chronicling the event and ordered in bulk. I gifted our host with the first one and others bought the other copies. The inspiration for this came from you and so I’d like you to have a copy if you want it. Here’s the link so you can look at it. Then let me know if you want one and I’ll send a signed copy to you. My gift. Love you! https://www.blurb.com/b/10531404-plein-air-playdate
Oh Jan, thanks for the sweet offer! Yes please send me a copy, I would love that.
xxoo
I have read to you an article about the importance of the artist’s specialty, I have a question, I am multi-talented not only an artist but I love the art of making miniatures and sculpture and professional in graphic design and painting and the art of murals and innovation and it is difficult for me to abandon a talent of them this is sad for me, is there a way to bring them together or to share them together without distraction and without having difficulty in marketing and fame in the audience
Thank you Maria; I’ve followed you for years and this blog among many others resonate with me so much and remind me to claim and create my own experience as an artist… to leverage the power of art as healing despite the fears that seem to consume our world right now… thank you for being this light. I love seeing where your business and messaging is evolving to and absolutely love what you’re sharing… THANK you!!! -Chelsea