April 17, 2012 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, philosophy, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #54: Purity

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

A perfect rose. A flawless chord. Pure white snow. The softness of a baby’s skin. A child’s laugh. A cherry tomato plucked from the vine. Mountain air.

We all love purity. I think on some level we crave it. And it’s not just a nice concept for optimists, it’s something real and raw, basic and primitive. It’s untouched and genuine. It’s unsullied, honest-to-goodness simplicity.

Even in this increasingly technological world, this world of mayhem, madness and convoluted this and that, a world where a drink may say “organic” because one of ten ingredients may have actually been organic, a world that sometimes seems almost tragically impaired by impurities of all kinds ~ purity can still be found.

We find it in the new seed planted in the garden, in the bear hug from a loved one, in the sunrise. The just right cup of tea. The sparrow’s song. The rhythm of a drum. Wit. Wonder. Wisdom. In so many ways, it’s all around us.

Go get some ~ however small, however large ~ and give it your attention, and let purity wash over your spirit like cleansing waves.

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September 29, 2011 In inspiration, intelligence, philosophy By Patricia Saxton

The Suggestion Box

I love this idea. I wish I’d thought of it, but credit goes to Grace, one of the great gals I share lanes with at the pool.

The local facility we use was renovated over the summer. New entrance way, new locker rooms, new weight room ~ pretty much the whole shebang. It’s not a fancy place like some of the more glorified gyms around, but it serves its purpose well.

This morning was the first time I’d been back since the renovation. Of course we girls were mostly interested in the locker rooms ~ and we weren’t let down. They did a bang-up job. Roomy lockers, private showers with a nice built-in ledge for shampoos, and easy to use water turner-onners (right, so I made up a new word, okay?) with hot, hot water. Great little cubbies to hold your towel, too. Nice job.

Grace, Marlene and I were happy campers. But apparently there were complainers. No hair dryers, lockers too tall, or too short or too wide. Luckily I missed all that. However, Grace had the best idea ….

In the “Suggestion Box”, instead of putting what’s wrong, we’re going to slip in some notes about what’s right. Instead of what we don’t like, we’ll write down what we DO like.

I thought that was brilliant. Doesn’t mean you never mention areas for improvement ~ when there’s an actual suggestion box you assume it really is meant for suggestions. But I imagine how nice it’ll be for someone to come across a few notes of unsolicited “thanks” in there.

Appreciation in unexpected places. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

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May 2, 2011 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #19: Praise

A sincere compliment, a recognition of good deeds, admiration, applause… “a gold star for good behavior”, a high-five.

Praise knows no boundaries, no judgments. It can be as quiet as one appreciative word, or a thunderous, symphonic tribute. And there’s no one amongst us – saints to sinners, paupers to kings– who doesn’t benefit from receiving, or giving, a genuine expression of praise.

Praise lifts us up. Sprinkle it around your world, and high-five generously.

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October 19, 2010 In art, children's books, drawing, illustration, writing By Patricia Saxton

The Artful Joy of Appreciation

Literally.

Appreciation is always a lovely thing. But how can one not be thrilled by one that’s hand-drawn?!

I was raised by a writer and learned early on to write out my thank-you’s. Friends may even think of me as a bit of thank-you note nut. Just the same, there’s an art to it, and over my lifetime I’ve seen the dwindling of that art. First there was the phone call, then the email note. Add to that the inundated-with-to-do’s, fast pace of people’s lives that doesn’t allow much room for proper thank you’s ~  especially challenging for people who don’t have a natural affinity for writing ~ and the way of thank you note gets lost.

But of course it’s important to realize that appreciation takes many forms. Not everyone draws a picture, or writes a beautiful note. Sometimes they say just the right words, or do something marvelously selfless and generous. People are good at heart; they show it in different ways.

Still … there’s nothing quite like a real thank-you! So I’d like to show a little appreciation for a very special one, by sharing it with you. It’s a card I received from a young girl I’ve never met, who’d received my books and toy as a gift. Hopefully the exuberant art will brighten your day, as it did mine!

(I especially enjoyed the serious, unassuming cover opening to a delightful surprise inside.)

 

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