The Art of Happiness

Over the last few days, I’ve been focused on an assortment of paintings + artistic projects. As I learn + improve my artistic technique, I can’t help but compare my practice of painting with the practice of mindfulness. When I’m painting, I can be lazy and abstract, leaving behind texture + traces of haste on the canvas. This can still be a beautiful painting, but not useful if we’re trying to have a smooth + skillful effect. This is similar to when we speak unmindfully vs when we are careful in our speech; if we speak unconsciously, we can leave behind emotional scarring that disrupts how smoothly our relationships run.

When I paint, I can also be more meticulous, taking time + using my awareness to focus on the end of my paintbrush to navigate the difficult angles of my subject. I will devote my free time to working on paintings I want to be extra impressive; and our mindfulness skills are developed with the same careful attentiveness + commitment. We can consciously invite happiness in and touch joy in any moment of our life. Doing this is an art. When we practice mindfulness, we can be focused + conscious of our actions, allowing us to access our true, most authentic self. Being our most authentic selves is an art. Even with the same paint colors, everyone will paint a different picture; and the same goes with happiness, so enjoy the process of discovering your style of feeling positive. What makes you smile? What gets you excited + energized? Share that joy with other people, express your talents, and amplify your version of happiness out for yourself, and for others. 

We offer our happiness to others, and this is an art. We can offer kindness to a friend, through a smile, a reassuring message, or through our supportive presence; however we choose to do this, is an art. How we extend love to our pets, to our loved ones, and to ourselves is an art we can practice improving more and more every day. Our life is our canvas, and our actions + perspectives +  behaviors create a unique masterpiece in each and every moment. 
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However we extend our positivity, we are creating art.