‘I am very discouraged. What should I do?’
“Encourage others.”
Soen Nakagwa was a Japanese teacher of Zen Buddhism; above is a conversation with one of his students.
*artwork by my very dear friend Bella Sinclair
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62 comments:
Hello - I have just found your blog by following a link from @eloh (isn't she an amazing writer?).
I'm now reading backwards on your blog. Your writing is beautiful and the images are wonderful complements to the words. You do make me ashamed of being mean and whingy.
I look forward to following your blog for a long time.
Mad x
I love this. Actually, it perfectly describes you Renee. All the chaos in your life and you still manage to send out love and encouragement.
Thanks again and all the best to you.xxx
beautiful! i think i needed that reminder.
i always wait for your choice of illustrations. they never fail to pleasantly surprise me :-)
Love that pic, Renee, and the advice is sage to be sure. Take care~rick
find a quiet and peaceful place and just let yourself 'feel' what you are feeling...don't try to cover it over, don't think of others for once, just think of you for now.......
and i did love this piece bella did, i hope she is feeling more settled now (i did get a note from her...)
peace to you little one....peace
What sound advice. Isn't that one of Bella's best illustrations? Springtime -beautiful and full of promise.
So the road has been rough and hard for you dear friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish the best for Jacqui and Sheldon and know that they are lucky to have you there to help them through this darkness. Jacquie has been a source of strength for you at times, and now she will look to you for strength, and being a most loving sister you will be there for her. What a wonderful gift you are to her, and she to you.
I have meant to ask if it would be alright to send her and Sheldon a card? Should I post it to you?
Very wise words. Thanks for posting it, I needed to hear this.
Beautiful artwork by your friend, Renee! When I'm discouraged the last thing I would think about would be to encourage others but I will try!
Have a great Thursday! Or Friday eve I mean.....yeah! :)
Love, Darla♥
By being, you are an encouragement to all of us. Keep shining your light on us!! Hope your day is positive. Love and hugs sent your way! Lynda
Love the simplicity and truth in this Renee - and the beauty in the tender artwork. love you, karin
Yeah....
xxxx
Be encouraged. It may not affect the outcome but it will soothe your soul.
Another wonderful painting.XXOO Marie Antionette
...and so very, very true! What a charming picture of Bella's, raining petals are such dynamic beauty.
I love this post and I love you rnew header. You find the most beautiful artwork.
And you do, dearest Renee, incredibly and despite everything going on in your life, you do . . .
Love,
xoxoxo
Angela
Good words. Just read about you over at "Mad Again" http://madagainblogspot.blogspot.com/
Take care Renee.
That is so true, isn't it, Renee? It's a good reminder to get out of my own head, and reach out to people. A gentle kick in the pants to look at the bigger picture...and to put down my microscope. I'm thinking of you and yours today, and send you much love. xoxoxo Pam
Love that!
Well isn't that the truth! Ever so lovely to see Bella again. Silver threads of prayers spiraling up to heaven, laying at the feet of Jesus like confetti...please send strength to all my beloved friends. **blows kisses** Deb
i am encouraged every day by your spirit....
Yes....this is good..redirect sadness. You are wonderful at this Renee. Hoping things look up soon..you are ever in my thoughts and prayers. Love you, Sarah
YES!!!
You are the Queen of Encouraging!
When we leave ourselves behind~we find ourselves.
Love to you Renee!!
Constance
Good therapy...love the painting you chose.
Perfect. And just what I needed to hear today.
Lovely picture. Beautiful idea. And I love your new picture at the top of the girls.
I've always heard this, Renee, and it does seem to help. I guess it takes us outside ourselves, if only for a few moments.
I'm praying harder and more often than I ever have in my life---for you and your precious family. I know that many, many others are also holding you up, too, and I pray that you can take from our strength....Sending you Love, Hope, Strength, Healing & Blessings. Hang in there, precious Renee. {{{HUGZ}}}
thisis a great sentence .a good idea.
What a great answer. Thank you for posting it! XO
What we give freely with love to others the Universe returns to us twice fold. I believe that to give to others what we don't have ourselves makes the gift twice as valuable.
Don't be discouraged, you do encourage others everyday!
So wonderful to see Bella's work, thank you!!!
Love and hugs my pretty!!!
Hello, dear Renee xoxo
Did you know that the word "courage" comes from the French for "great heart"?
That's you, in two words :-)
This is a perfect bit to read this morning and I thank you.
Now I'm going out to try and "help" someone.
Ah Renee, I hope you are not discouraged. I have not been reading my blog friends as much as I would like. I have some catching up to do. Bella's drawing is beautiful. I hope she is doing well. I read about the unexpected loss of her husband. Life has its twists & turns and we never know what to expect.
How true...
You're wonderful! You are insightful and I can't wait to read your next post :)
Hugs,
Meg xoxo
when I feel discouraged, I will focus on a success that I have enjoyed.
And when it's particularly dark, I remind myself to hang in there...remember that discouragement and trials of life serve as a backdrop, that although dark, they offer a clarity like none other, after all, without the dark of night would you notice the moon, stars, planets,universe...?!
Take heart x
Good advice and such a sweet simple picture. It is like the saying to have joy, spread joy. You want to be loved, give love...the universe is magical in reflecting back to us what we project out.
Beautiful post!
xox
Kelly
A very wise saying.
I have found in many things in life, that if I am unhappy, not motivated, uninspired, etc...if I reach out to someone and try and help them be the opposite of what I am feeling.....all of a sudden my mood (whatever it is) has lifted.
It's like magic!
Hugs to you!
'Encourage others.'
But that's what you do every single day my dear Renee.
Every-single-day.
Wonderful to see Bella's art.
xoxoxoxoxo
Lolo
Lovely post, lovely words!
Your friend's artwork is beautiful! Love those soft pastels, very Japanese. The quote is very nice too.
Dear Renee,
How lovely to see the precious Artwork of our dear friend Bella.
I always marvel at her wonderful work.
Love you both.
Hugs
Carolyn
Hi dear Renee,Im Ok for now,in between loads of good love and 37650 hugs and a kiss from me. Thank you,:O)
Thank you Renee for that reminder...sometimes that is much easier said than done when we are down and out though...isn't it?!?
Thinking of you and your family...
good advice and lovely artwork
I think that is why blogging works for me ... by encouraging others, I heal myself.
Love it!
...you're clever and wise and I admire you for that.
xoxoxoxo
Ribbon :)
Hey darlin...perfect advice in just a few words...must remember...must remember...and you do encourage others dear girl...so often...ta for surprise I received yesterday...love and hugs to you...and to your dear ones...
thank you for the encouragement, renee.
actually, just what i need.
xo
Ah! Look at that inspiring artwork, full of love and best wishes from one beloved friend to another. I love Bella Sinclair and I love you too my dearest renee. What a coincident. I just dedicated my post and drawings to my favorites, my Shining Stars. Check them out if you have the time. Take care sweet!
Tonight dear Renee, the stars are shining brightly.
This is a good post to live by.
Yet it is such a hard thing to do.
Take care of your self.
Hugs,
Katelen
Your world puts my world in perspective. I'm just in awe of your strength, your vulnerability, your strength, your honesty, your strength... In awe.
I hope that if you need it to be, today is a strong day for you. ♥
Hi Renee
How are you today. My very best wishes for your family's recovery...this is a very poignant post with Bellas's artwork...
Happy days
Dear Renee,
I will be out of town until Wed.
Praying for you!
Love
and
Hugs
Constance
I find the title and the pink tree both to be very symbolic in this work.
Another fine artist,,,,this is so soft,,,,
Wonderful sentiment! I agree wholeheartedly. And the picture is absolutely lovely.
and why not?j
makes sense to me.
that is true advice. Thanks for your kind comments on my art blog!
What a wonderful sentiment. Thank you for that Renee. Hope you are having a good weekend.
XOXO
jen
That is a perfect budhism response for that question, and I followed that adviced given from myself to myself many times, and everysingle time I did it, it magically worked.
Remeber that we are not along so if you help others you also help make your environment a better one to be sorrunded by
I thought I recognised that as one of Bella's. Super quote.
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