Thursday, January 17, 2013

Creating is my biggest reward

First bird watercolor card

My birthday has always been a day I take inventory on my life. As I leave years behind and head towards my mortality, I question what's really important.


After a little argument I had with the C.E.O. of my company, on my day off, and listening to him say he didn't like the answer I gave him, I question what I really want out of life.


I am not a naive person to think money is not important. Sure money doesn't bring happiness, but lack of money sure brings a lot of headaches. However, as I look ahead, I know for a fact that on my last days I will not wish I had worked more, made more money, had more power, or amassed material things. I will look back to the people I made smile, those whose life I influenced, those I helped, the time I spent with my family and most of all to a life well lived.



45 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

That is a good attitude to have.. Its better to have made decisions that you can live with and not later on regret.. I have learned, its better to not concern yourself w/those who are not logical in their thinking.. Its healthier for one to just walk away and not try and reason w/someone who refuses to see other points of view.. Life is too short.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

That's a great way to look at life! When I look back at my childhood, I don't remember any toys or gifts I received; that's all forgotten. But I do remember the loving, wonderful times I shared with my family, friends and people I cared about and who cared about me. That still applies now in my older years, and I'm sure it will be the same when I grow old. Sure we need money to live, but not to feel alive!

The Cranky said...

And this is why I look forward to your posts Ana.

Beautiful bird portrait btw.

turquoisemoon said...

Luv that little chubby bird! Creating puts one in the zone, in the present. This is why there is peace. ommmm

Createology said...

Well said. And I can speak to the fact that there is life after money and working...
Your priorities are all correct. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

Jho said...

beautiful post. :)

oliveneedspopeye.blogspot.com

Sulky Kitten said...

I've given people answers that have resulted in me being fired! I've never regretted it. That little bird, I think he's just gorgeous. If I had even a tiny smidgen of your talent, I'd be very happy!

Made.by.Fay said...

I agree with your priorities. I am only totally peaceful and happy when I'm drawing or creating. So why is it so hard to make that a priority? It is always a challenge.
Happy creating.
Fay

Kyra Wilson said...

I question myself frequently about my life and is it going where I want it to go, doing what I find fulfilling. What do I want to leave behind, once I have lived this life? I'm sorry you had that conversation with the CEO. I think you're on the right path though, staying true to you!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Birthday sweet friend! I hope your day has been wonderful...just like you! Enjoy today and keep celebrating! You bring so much joy to all of us and have such wonderful insight into living a good life! I'm always inspired by you and your beautiful art! Sweet birthday hugs coming your way!

Zena said...

This is the way I look at life too... beautiful artwork

floating thru fields said...

I know what you mean, I have been wanting to spend more time with my family making memories and having an awesome time,I'm going to work on this year. I love your cardinal :)

Red Shoes said...

You are so right on your closing comments... that's just about the message that I gave to the students at the commencement... embrace who and what you are... and move forward!!

:o)

~shoes~

Cloudia said...

True Brilliant Appreciated!



Aloha from Honolulu,
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° >
> < } } ( ° >
> < 3 3 3 ( ' >

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

Well put, well put! And I love your painting -- he looks so self-assured. I am reminded of that verse in the Bible that tells us to "look at the birds of the air". p.s. Thank you so much for your kind words; yes, those two girls are mine :)

Catherine Denton said...

So well said and I agree. I do hate that you had to have that kind of interaction on your day off. I hope you can move on soon. {Happy Belated Birthday}
Catherine Denton

Riot Kitty said...

Happy birthday! You're right. Focus on what's important.

JerseyLil said...

Yes to a life well lived! So beautifully expressed. :)

Unknown said...

Tanti auguri a te di buon compleanno... gli uccellini su sfondo turchese sono bellissimi!
Bellalullo

Nadia said...

Nice birdie! Hope you had a nice Birthday. xoxo

Karoeza said...

That's the way! Hope you had a lovely birthday. (my daughter turned 7 the 17th)

Jenny said...

Beautiful post Ana... happy birthday... and love your gorgeous bird...

Jenny ♥

shayndel said...

Beautiful painting and questioning of life`s purpose.
As I read the post I have the sense that the bird is listening and echoing your sentiments about what is important!
Happy creative days!

Ariel said...

Many many Happy Returns of the Day Ana. Love this bird too. Congrats on your etsy store.
Susan

bohemiannie! art said...

There's a lot to be said about becoming a year older...and usually a year wiser. I agree with you Ana. What I want to be remembered for...is the joy and passion I've shared with others. Your bird is joyful and passionate...and oh so lovely.

Christine Altmiller said...

Sounds like you have it figured out :-) More people should understand what is really important. We would all be relatively ok then.
Your papa cardinal is beautiful. I photograph the Mama cardinal when she comes around. Our male feeds the female. He gets the seed and brings it to her. Very sweet courtship.
I hope you have a Wonderful Day!

Anonymous said...

The day I left my job in 2001 was the happiest day of my life. I love being retired. I suspect you will too, someday, I hope.

unikorna said...

Oh I thought that "doing what you really like" used to be an expression devoid of real meaning, but I experienced that on myself...I used to be a bored journalist until I discovered by chance how happy I was when I wrote fantasy...Now I believe that... life is too friggin' short to be bored. Kisses lovely Ana

Sherri B. said...

Money makes things so complicated, doesn't it? Your bird is so pretty!! Happy Belated Birthday to you. :)

Anonymous said...

Haaaaaayyyy, word up to that. xo :P

AntiquityTravelers said...

well said! I've always said that I will not look back at all the amazing meetings I might have had, or clients ... what will be important is that my life was happy, that I spent time with the people I love and that my children grow up to be wonderful people. In the end ... that is what I'll be thinking

Anonymous said...

that is basically the main reason why I decided to leave the corporate world to open my little shop. Yes, money it's important but freedom, being respected and doing something you love it is more. Happy birthday!!

K J D said...

Happy Birthday!

I love your beautiful bird.

I like the way you look at things.

Karen x

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Fantastuc work Ana. Love this bird and the beautiful colors.
Lovley greet and nice weekend
Marja

foxysue said...

Your beautiful bird has a resolute look on his face, I think he is agreeing with you! x

Jane said...

I feel exactly the same way the older I get. Your bird is wonderful!

Magic Love Crow said...

Beautiful post and beautiful bird ;o)

Arkansas Patti said...

Wonder what part of "your day off" doesn't your CEO understand. Anyway, you have your sense of what is important right.

Denise Mulligan said...

Hi Ana, happy belated birthday! I hope you had a good one. I love the card that your husband gave you. The view where you live is spectacular.

The cardinal is so pretty and vibrant. The blue color on the wing makes it pop.

Cardinals are one of my favorite birds. When I see one, I think that my dad sent it to me to make me smile. He always loved seeing them and would point them out to me. When I saw your painting I had to smile.

You sound as if you know exactly who you are and are exactly where you want to be.

Bravo to you to tell your boss the way you feel. Their comment in response to you was so smarmy and small. Just like a persnickety school marm!

Stick too your beliefs, life is way too short to waste on making bosses happy. Yay You!

Meera Rao said...

coloful bird! Birthday's have a way of making us even more intoverts, no? :)

Tammie Lee said...

such a lovely painting
and wonderful thoughts on what is important.

Dra. Cristiane Grande Jimenez Marino said...

Hi Ana,

What a beautiful and mature way to look at life!
At the very end, love is the only thing that matters.
Congratulations! Happy Birthday to you.
Kisses

Dra. Cristiane Grande Jimenez Marino said...

Ah! I almost forgot, the bird is gorgeous!

CraveCute said...

Your cardinal is so cute! It's impossible to please everyone. I hope your boss comes around to your way of thinking.

Out of Sight L said...

You have a lot of talent, I look back too at all the people I've helped and wished I have taken care of myself instead of pushing until I couldn't breathe. I miss working so much,but I can't be around people for long. I love that you are artistic and that you live beyond your introvertion. I think you're very brave. People also think I'm shy, I don't a shy bone in my body, but what can you say?