Gratitude is the Key to Happiness - Be thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement. 

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

Life is the colour you paint it

You can choose what type of day you have

You can complain because it's raining or be thankful that the plants are getting watered for free.

You can feel sad that money is scarse or be glad that your finances encourage you to plan and guide you away from waste.

You can grumble about your health or you can rejoice that you are alive.

You can lament over all that your parents didn't give you while you were growing up or you can feel grateful that they gave you life.

You can cry because roses have thorns or you can celebrate that thorns have roses.

You can mourn your lack of friends or you can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

You can whine because you have to go to work or you can shout for joy because you have a job to do.

You can complain because you have to go to school or eagerly open your mind and fill it with rich new knowledge.

You can murmur dejectedly because you have to do housework or you can feel honored because you have shelter for your mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of you, waiting to be shaped. You are the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

Remember - Life is the colour you paint it

Aesthetica Magazine ....

Aesthetica Magazine is a great arts magazine that originates in the UK but is sold all over the world.  You can see my listing in the latest issue

- the online artists directory
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/directory.htm

- and in the actual magazine
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/downloads/directory.pdf

New Zealand artist, Karley Feaver, was featured in the last issue and got picked up by two UK galleries - would love if I was as fortunate as Karley! :-)

Aesthetica have loads of fabulous articles to read - well worth subscribing to

Please take 10 seconds to vote for me to help me win an AMP Scholarship

Please take 10 seconds to vote for me to help me win an AMP Scholarship ....

AMP are offering scholarships to New Zealanders from all walks of life to help them "do their thing". Everyone who has applied for an AMP scholarship is in the running to win the AMP People's Choice Award ($10,000) Please vote for me to help me me win so that I can "do my thing".

It's really easy to vote - click on this link (or cut and paste into your browser) and then click the vote button
http://www.doyourthing.co.nz/2011-00434/sophia-elise

So what's my thing? 
Helping NZ visual artists achieve success.  I have devoted the last 7 years of my life to creating a nationwide organisation that provides promotion, support, resources and opportunities to NZ visual artists of all career stages and mediums.  The NZ Art Guild is an award winning organisation which has been formed into a charitable trust this year. 

What would I do with the $10,000?
I want to create a professional development programme for visual artists that includes workshops, elearning,  mentoring, coaching and much more.  It will offer quality, accessible, affordable, innovative and  practical education that will transform starving artists into thriving ones by teaching them sustainable business practices. 

Why do I want to win? Winning the $10,000 would enable me to create an education and mentoring programme therefore helping hundreds of NZ visual artists achieve success by becoming confident, independent practitioners.
By voting for me and helping me win, you will be
- helping and supporting many visual artists achieve success and fulfill their goals
- improving New Zealands creative economy
- engaging the public in our rich arts culture
- taking NZ art into the international market

How can you help me achieve this goal?
Besides voting for me - I would LOVE and appreciate if you would share this link (http://www.doyourthing.co.nz/2011-00434/sophia-elise) with all your friends, family, colleagues etc  You can even click the share button on my AMP page to send it direct to your facebook and twitter pages.


Want to learn more about me professionally? http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiaelise

Thank you for taking the time to support me and NZ visual artists.