10,000 Hours of Practice

Anders Ericsson, the Florida State University psychologist, whose research on expertise spawned the 10,000 hour rule of thumb said "You don't get benefits from mechanical repetition, but by adjusting your execution over and over to get closer to your goal."  Makes good common sense, doesn't it ! !

My Sister, Marty, gave me  filet mignons for Christmas and I bought the chicken pot from one of my PAINT friends, Arlene.  Of course, had to put the two together in a painting.
             CHICK FILET is the title.

What Does a Peacemaker Look Like?

(I have one in my PAG group (Professional Artist Group) that exemplifies this definition:

Not self absorbed and insistent on one's own way
Generous and happy to share
Doesn't hold grudges (I truly feel sorry for the person that goes about life carrying a load of grudges)
Not envious of others' success and blessings
Doesn't criticize harshly
More focused on solutions than problems
Self-confident--doesn't get feelings hurt easily
Sees the big picture of life, not petty quarrels


Had this painting go out of my gallery this week end and down the street to live:

LOOKING BACK AT 2013 This is YOU I'm talkin about.

When you look at your brilliant successes, stunning comebacks, smokin ideas and they all exceeded your expectations and made you feel dizzy with excitement, just think what 2014 has in store for you!! ! !

LOSS OF A FRIEND AND GALLERY IN MISSISSIPPI

Had a gallery go out of business because of the death of it's owner, Pat Walker.  Was stunned to hear this a month after the fact.  She was a fine lady and much too young to have left this world. 

The person that was closing the gallery, Dawn Morgan, called me and sold the three paintings that I had there.  She worked above and beyond.  So appreciated her.  Here are two of them.

BEST THING I'VE DONE FOR MYSELF

I grew up with no Father, who died when I was 10, so became one very independent child taking care of my Mother as much as she cared for me.  Did a lot of the cleaning and cooking and ironing (we ironed every week, an almost forgotten chore).  Have never had anyone to clean my house and recently, actually several years ago, I had the good fortune to have Daisy come into my life.  She is wonderfully consistent, honest, and completely trustworthy.  The fun part of our every two weeks is that we have a different drink and catch up on the news of the two weeks in a sharing session at the beginning of each "house cleaning".  She counsels me and I counsel her.  She is a smart cookie and runs a good business. 

The biggest impact we can have on the world is to ask "How can I help you?".  She does just that !  This is Daisy's favorite painting in the gallery, as she grew up on a ranch.

THIS REMINDS ME OF A FRIEND AND HER NIECE

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BLOG: Don't read it lightly. Words from my Methodist Minister. 5 REGRETS AT THE END OF LIFE

As we begin our new year, it is routine to think about our "routines".  People who are in the sunset of life have been questioned about what they regret the most in their lives.  These are the 5 top regrets expressed by a large survey of people in Hospice.  Makes me rethink and reorganize and Reboot MY life for the coming year, and hopefully for my existence on this planet.  And, I hope it affects how YOU think about your life and purpose on this earth.

1. Living my life at the expectations of others, rather than at my own expectations.

2. More courage to express myself.

3. Would keep in touch with good friends.  Think of all the areas of life that good friends just disappear.

4. Let myself be happy.  Happiness is a choice.

5. I wish I hadn't worked such long hours and so hard.

May we reboot our life in faith, and spare us from regrets.

This is a painting that has just been placed in Lay Away by a lady who lives her life with the choice of happiness and at her own expectations.