Celebrating Everyday Treasures

I hope this week finds you well. But if you've felt bombarded by the darkness of the news lately, you're certainly not alone. It seems everyday there are new perils to fear from the latest wildfires and the war in Ukraine to the ongoing disruptions from COVID-19, climate change, rising inflation and more. I don’t know about you, but dwelling on all this darkness brings my energy down. It can make me feel hopeless and isolated.

It also blocks out the truth of the world as it really is.

When I find myself dwelling on the negativity from the media, I do my best to remember that the news is just a small slice of the lives we live.

There is so much more to our world than the few stories we hear. Every single day beautiful things happen in every corner of the world.

• Babies are born.

• The sun rises and sets.

• Flowers bloom.

• Neighbors help one another.

• A woodpecker comes to visit my favorite maple tree (can you spot it in the photo above?)

• Cats do cute things. At least mine does. :)

These moments are just as important as any news story. They are part of our lived experience.

I’ve found that taking the time to notice small, ordinary things helps me see the world from a broader perspective. I start with the beauty that surrounds me right where I am. Things I can see, hear, and feel with my senses.

It’s spring here in Lancaster County, PA right now and I’m greeted with happy bird song each morning. There are dozens of flowers and even weeds growing in my own backyard that I find interesting and delightful.

I’ve been taking pictures, doing my best to soak it all in. Spring is my favorite time of year when Mother Nature awakens and the trees and flowers come to life again. There is peace and calm and sunshine and beauty, if I only take the time to notice.

The truth is that the world is complex and dark. But it’s also a place of great wonder, joy and beauty.

It’s that wonder that I try to capture when I sit down to sketch.

It’s why I create illustrations in bright colors with cute animals in lush, floral surroundings. My art is my attempt to engage with wonder and magic. To see the ordinary with new eyes. To create the world I want to live in.

I’m sure there are treasures like these in your life too [FIRST NAME GOES HERE]. Things that bring you joy, and laughter and peace. Things that help you remember that the world isn’t always dark. Whatever those treasures are for you, I invite you to savor them this week. Whether you take a minute or an hour, you may be surprised at how different your world looks afterwards.

Let’s bring light to the darkness!