The Converted Scrooge

Newsletter Jan 13, 2019 1 2372 Add to Reading List

Happiness is a Choice

The Converted Scrooge

I love A Christmas Carol, especially the 1951 production with Alistair Sim conjuring Ebenezer Scrooge’s multiple facets. He perfectly manifests Scrooge’s hard-hearted, mean-spirited nature and then transforms into a man with a liberated, joy-filled heart. He is unable to contain his happiness. He has to share it. He has to give it away.

Unreasonable Happiness

The world that Scrooge lives in is not a gentle place, just as it is not in this time. Nevertheless, in his conversion Scrooge becomes unreasonably happy. His joy is not caused by events or circumstances, and so it cannot be diminished by the vagaries and randomness of life. Happiness has become his state. And I love that! That is how to live! No doubt about it.

Happiness Is Communicable

I have noticed that happiness is infectious. There have been many times that I have been walking down the sidewalk in a simple and thoughtless moment; a smile on my face simply because happiness put it there. Then I round a corner and unexpectedly encounter someone. Instantly that stranger will break into a smile also. I’m not talking a social, pleasant smile. I mean a full-mouthed, teeth-revealed grin; a smile without reserve. Moments like this remind me that we pass happiness from one to another, and that it is an uncomplicated gesture.

A Small Gift

Upon the completion of the Century Watercolor Extravaganza I put up a flipbook version of the 100 paintings I did during the event and the poems that accompanied each. A few people suggested that I should publish it in book form. I don’t have the wherewithal to do that presently, but I have uploaded a PDF version of the flipbook and made it available for download to the newsletter group. If you would like to download a copy just subscribe to my newsletter on my website. You may want to do that in case you are caught in a snow storm and lose your internet service. You know; a little entertainment and inspiration while you wait for spring. If you would like to see the online flipbook version of Paintings and Poems it’s right here.

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Comments (1)

Hi Nara, I love your enthusiasm. As you already know I love the arts. I think art is a powerful tool that can affect change in people and society as a whole. Right now there is a great struggle for the soul and identity of both. Art can either provide an escape or be a statement in that struggle. Art can also serve as a reminder for all to remember that this life is temporary and illusory. I'll be watching your work carefully to see where it takes me. Best wishes in your endeavors. Always, Rob

6 years ago Reply
Hi Rob. Thanks for this comment, it really struck me. I agree that art is a powerful tool. I look around and see this struggle that you are talking about. The best thing that I can do is keep creating my art while also finding ways to connect with people and touch their lives or hearts. I have had some good reminders about life being temporary and illusory, and also about my art being temporary. A lot of my paintings burned up in these last few years of the California fires. In a second they were gone completely. The lesson for me was to not mourn their loss but to continue on with energy and creativity. Thanks for this thoughtful comment, and for your support and interest in my art. You were the second person to comment on my new blog, I am sending you some of those cookies!

6 years ago