What you THINK ABOUT you BRING about?:

Greetings, Art Lovers!

I've become more and more intrigued by something. Something that affects each and everyone of us each and every second of every day!!!
The topic of "what we think about" and how it affects each of our daily lives.

In pondering this topic I came across the following poem (which by the way I think would make a great Dr. Suess book), written by Walter D. Wintle in the early 1900's.

Check this out for mind-blowing!

“Think”  by Walter D. Wintle

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch that you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battle doesn’t always go
To the swifter or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man “who thinks he can.”

Most of us already know that power of positive thinking...yet this is different. I'm talking about every thought we have, everything that we allow to muse about in our heads and its link to what we bring about in our lives. And I'm beginning to understand the ratio between time thought about a subject and the direct and indirect results of such musings.

As a personal experiment of sorts, I've begun to see if I can control what exactly I think about. Whoa, now there's a hard exercise! To shush your mind and then PICK your topic of thought and stay focused on that for a selected about of time. There are thousands upon thousands of books written about this subject. And for me personally, my "think project" is only just beginning.

It certainly does seem that we I think about I invite more of into my life. So if this is the case...then why am I not bringing about the things in my life that I "say" I want more to have in my life? (ie, travel, free time, financial freedom, etc)  And now that we know this, NOW WHAT? Armed with this information...it requires me to work at exercising my thoughts with focused, chosen topics.

What do you think?

Peace,

Rachel
 

Fresh from the Art Studio:

Introducing original mini-paintings, abstract on wood! If you are an avid art collector OR if you've been an art lover and have yet to start your personal collection, these little minis are perfect! Seven inches by seven inches?  Five inches by five inches? We all have space in our homes or office for a painting to fit that size. Which is why I opted to paint small. Affordable too!

To get a closer look, simply click on any of the images below.
 

More Q & A with Rachel:

Why do you paint?

I think that we as human beings all need a creative outlet. Just so happens that mine is painting. I see the world in color...and I'm constantly evaluating what colors pop and what colors don't. Maybe more specifically what colors stand out to me and which one's do not. I love to explore this in a new painting. I've always loved abstract paintings for this reason, because they are primarily color based. Abstracts often times are left to interpretation by the viewer. LOVE this about abstracts!

What websites do you visit to get your creative juices flowing?

I love looking at images online. Often times I'll just surf around on google images by typing in say maybe "mountain sunset" and see what pops up. Flipping through a new issue of Dwell magazine will definitely get my mind flowing too!

What draws you to use the color palette that you've chosen?

The Earth. Nature and colors that compliment those earthy colors are currently on my paint palette. I use a lot of deep purples, greens, blues, oranges and yellows and variations of them all. It's late Spring and there's still a multitude of flowers in bloom. Every color I've listed you can find in a bloom somewhere.

Check out Rachel's NEW, COOL friends:

I don't think we give enough credit to where credit is due sometimes. Nor do I think it really cool that most accolades aren't given until AFTER those who've inspired us or left an impression on us one-way-or-another are gone. With that in mind, I've created a page on my website where I've begun listing some of those people. Titled "Cool Friends", it's on that page (obviously an evolving project) that I begin to tell their stories.

Click here to view Rachel's newest COOL friend Janice Sumler.

Buy Rachel's Art:

Rachel has partnered with etsy.com as an art purchase portal. This makes viewing the artwork easy...and purchasing the art even easier! Looking for new paintings to buy that are affordable? Look no more!

Click here to shop online at Rachel's Art Store on Etsy.

The Art and Fun Blog:

The Rachel's daily Blog is full of such personal inspirations and aspirations and fun moments. You will find daily musings, announcements of paintings fresh from the studio, adventure recaps, and much more at Rachel's blog. Certainly the most comprehensive place online that you'll find the goings-on with Rachel.

Go, Do, BE!

Click here to view the Daily Blog

Dance to the beat of your own drum!:

Every day we face trials and tribulations mostly from outside ourselves. This painting is dedicated to inspire us ALL to dance to the beat of our own drum! Measuring 9.25"x7.25" this original abstract painting would be a great accent to any part of your home, place of work or place of play.

Original Abstract Art!

Or need a little artsy gift to give that special someone? Give ART!

Click here to view "Dance to the Beat of your Own Drum."

Talk, Tell, Rumor, Leak it, Spread the Word:

Pass this link along to your friends:
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Summary:

I found this old picture recently. I have a lot of fond memories serving in the United States Army. Here I was at Fort Knox in the Summer of 1993 being trained on how to shoot an WWII era, .45 cal, M3 submachine gun. Actually the Drill Instructor said, "Dickson, hold this weapon and stand like you're going to use it." Hence the photo op.

This newsletter will be published just prior to Memorial Day 2012 and I salute all of those who lost their lives in any conflict while serving with the United States military force.

Please take time this weekend to reflect on the past so that we might enjoy our lives as we know them. I am personally very grateful that I don't have to worry about buses exploding nearby or suicide bombers threatening my life or the ones I love.

The stupid little details of life (taking out the trash, washing the dishes, mowing the grass, laundry, wiping off a sticky counter-top, sweeping the sidewalk, etc) too often make us crazy. But let us not forget...those things don't really matter. They're just details. Big deal.

We are a blessed indeed.

Until next time...enjoy your life! After all...we are the ones creating it.

Happiness,

Rachel

Questions? Comments? Snide Remarks?
email rachel at racheldickson.com