Happy Mother’s Day: My Little Tribute to Lovely Moms Around the World
May 13, 2012 by Chandra Michaels
Filed under Art, Design, Image Gallery, Life
“There’s a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begin.”
Why Each New Year Brings Forth the Biggest Emotional Oxymoron Ever
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and as the year came to a close you could look back with a sense of accomplishment.
But if last year wasn’t your best year ever, if it left you feeling trapped by your circumstances, it didn’t give you the opportunity to follow your dreams, or just maybe, it was a fabulous year for you, and you’re simply anxious to see what the New Year has in store – my message remains the same…
We don’t get happy because we’re successful; we become successful because we are happy.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
My newest artwork was born from this internal debate about which comes first.
I actually began this piece more than two months ago. I just finished this past weekend. It took me quite a long time to explore how I wanted to convey the inverse relationship between success and happiness and how it’s related to hope.
What this exploration has taught me can be simplified by saying that I think true happiness comes from contentment for what is now with an acceptance of what was, while hope gives us the opportunity to wish for what could be.
So, before I started my initial sketches, I knew the work would be based around the beautiful hummingbird. I’m not the type who works and watches what unveils. My ideas usually come in dreams (or the shower – okay – mostly the shower) and I usually see the finished piece. The extended effort for me comes in trying to make the artwork look like what first appeared in my mind’s eye.
But the hummingbird was more than a passing thought, it was based on the need to express the many symbolic meanings of this special creature and how I could portray it in a way that illustrates the personal pursuit of happiness.
It is said:
By observing the hummingbird, we see they are tireless. Actively searching for the sweetest nectar, they remind us to forever seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day. Amazing migrators, some Hummingbirds are known to fly as many as 2000 miles to reach their destination.
This relentless quality reminds us to be persistent in the pursuit of our dreams, and adopt the tenacity of the Hummingbird in our lives.
ANTICIPATION
The New Year symbolizes the beginning of a better tomorrow.
Today is the day we have hope for our future. That’s what I love about this time of year.
Right now, most people are moved by the universal feeling that anything is possible. And considering the fact that Sugarluxe was founded on this principle, I’m partial to this particular holiday.
Every year, I spend a week contemplating the idea about recapping all of the highlights of my past 12 months.
Many blogs do it, and since I don’t get to write as often as I’d like, I miss the chance to share a lot of exciting experiences. Maybe one day I’ll hire a dedicated PR person, but until then, I prefer to just keep working hard and hope I don’t need a lot of hype to keep it going.
Point being, it happens every time. I never recap my year. Instead, I tend to be a forward- looking person. It’s important to learn from mistakes, and absolutely, celebrate past milestones. But all around the world, regardless of your race or religion, together, we are ringing in a NEW YEAR…
That means every single one of us has the chance to look ahead with anticipation. No matter what happened last year, now is the time we invite opportunity and embrace optimism.
364 MORE DAYS
Here’s a real resolution I present for your consideration during the coming year: Try to look at each day like it’s New Year’s Day.
It’s so typical that we start of the New Year with unrealistic resolutions that we likely can’t keep. And then the disappointment sets in, sadness ensues, and we beat ourselves up when we don’t lose weight, when we don’t make more money, when we don’t get out of debt, or when we didn’t get that new house, new job, new car, new relationship… aaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugggghhhh… the list goes on and on…
Today is NOT the only day that we can wake up with hope and happiness. We have 364 more days a year to do that.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
We make resolutions with the idea that achieving them will make us more happy. But few succeed with their resolutions and end up feeling anything BUT.
Why is happiness so elusive?
First, it’s because we’re conditioned to think happiness is something different than it really is – like you need to be bursting with joy all day long.
But the most useful definition – and it’s one agreed upon by neuroscientists, psychiatrists, behavioral economists, and even Buddhist monks – is true happiness is more like feeling satisfied or content than “happy”. It has depth and deliberation to it. And it takes concerted effort and commitment.
BE CONTENT AND STRIVE FOR MORE AT THE SAME TIME. WHAT?
It’s a complex emotional oxymoron, really. How can we reconcile these seemingly disparate thoughts?
Well, I firmly believe that we must be thankful for what we have now. Not to get caught up in semantics, but if the word contentment gives you the feeling that you don’t want to strive for more, perhaps acceptance is a better word. Acceptance of the past and some level of satisfaction with what we’ve achieved thus far.
Should we want more? Sure. Is that normal? I think so.
But until we feel happy with what we have, how can we expect to be given more?
In other words, without the adversity that has caged us in, how can we fully appreciate when the door opens and we break free?
So, today, the first day of this HAPPY NEW YEAR, I’m sharing my latest Sugarluxe work with hope that the coming year opens doors for us ALL and that we take every opportunity to fly high!
What will you do when the door opens for you?
Supply & Demand: The Economics of Appreciation
February 2, 2008 by Chandra Michaels
Filed under Business, Featured, How To, Studio
For almost three years, I have been trying to figure out the key to keeping my manufacturing in-house, while somehow meeting the demands of retail accounts (around the world now) who want everything FAST & AFFORDABLE. I don’t want to source overseas…but my supply & demand issues are overwhelming.
When I get bogged down trying to figure out what to do, I procrastinate. My mind starts drifting and I completely get off task.
Today is no different. My biggest urge to paint happens when I have to do something else entirely.
But it’s in that moment — I realize I am not the only one with a major supply and demand problem. We all have this issue in one way or another…
Like the endless supply of people demanding your time. Or, the constant demand to do more, but a lacking supply of appreciation when you do so.
If you really want to know a super easy secret for success — it’s very simple.
I’ve found that the words – I appreciate you – can make all the difference!
If someone takes the time to interview me for an article, blog on my work, or write something about Sugarluxe in their publication, I always try to write to them and tell them how much I appreciate it! I don’t expect this fabulous feedback, I don’t feel entitled to it and I don’t pay for it. I am just thankful when people discover what it is I am trying to do…and if they dig it, that’s the BEST!
These are some of my fun favorites! Check out these little lovelies:
and a NEW fav who named Sugarluxe as January’s ROCKSTAR of the MONTH:
Everyone likes knowing that their contributions matter…and I try to let people know how much they make a difference in my life. We often don’t think to do these really easy things because they weren’t ever done to or for us. Trust me, I know. I’ve worked a lot of thankless jobs.
But it has to start somewhere. It’s a global situation and we have a depleted supply of gratitude. Help me replenish it…
And by the way, when you do, please know this — “You are most definitely appreciated!”
