Happiness

The nature of happiness has been on my mind a lot lately. A good friend of mine gave me a book about it the other day that I am getting through in quiet moments. But it made me think about the moments I have experienced that life affirming, uplifting emotion we call happiness lately.

There are days I wake up and dread all the work facing me, the phone calls I have to return, the papers I have to file, the deadlines I have to meet. And then there are moments that break through all the chaos and stress and just make me stop and smile.

Another friend of mine recently brought his kids to the beach to spend the day. Watching their wonderment as the waves swirled around our feet, seeing their excitement as we collected seashells, and hearing their laughter as their Dad lifted them into the air over the water was true happiness.

During the day I get into so many great conversations with our customers. Yesterday, in between selecting teacher gifts and answering her phone, one sweet customer was telling me about a foundation she wants to start for children with diet restrictions. Just seeing the love she had for her children and listening to her story made me smile. I told her I would help her as she developed the idea. As I wrapped her presents, we talked about how important good nutrition is to children as they grow, and how much they take in as they are learning about the world.

It is so easy to spread joy in your world. You may not even know how your positive energy can turn someone’s day around, even in the most casual conversations or busy moments as you are running errands and thinking about all the things you need to accomplish.

How many times have you stopped and looked someone in the eyes as you were talking, and shared an uplifting thought instead of concentrating only on where you have to be next? Happiness is a state of mind, one you can achieve much easier than you may think. A lot of it has to do with how you affect the people around you.

I hear friends talk about their grand goals, pursuit of success or love or whatever is important to them. Often I notice that they spend so much time concentrating on what they feel is missing in their lives…that they miss the beauty in the moments and people all around them in a day.

Thank you to all of you who do take the time to share a story or a few moments when you stop in. You make me grateful for what we do in our store. I love being a part of so many celebrations, and being a vital part of our community. Before we opened, I remember thinking that I wanted Rembrandtz to be about so much more than just a gallery or a store. I love the times when that is evident in my interactions with our customers. I love when you come in and tell me how much someone loved a present, or how good it makes you feel to just stop in and see what’s new.

I think happiness and gratitude go hand in hand. I have noticed that the mornings when I wake up and just take a moment to be thankful for all the good things and people and friends in my life…those days always turn out to be better, regardless of how much I “get done.”

Having goals and checking items off your To-Do list is great. Being present in your life and being thankful is even better.

A Radical Reappraisal

Every once in a while, I check my horoscope online. The other day I read one that explained that I am undergoing “a radical reappraisal” of many of the areas of my life. Anyone that knows me well might think, “well, it’s not the first time!” Over the years, our gallery has changed a lot, and it has certainly been a reflection of many of the changes in our family’s life.

As much as what we are about is family, celebrations, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and happy times, the truth is, life is complicated. We all love our families, but the relationships are not always easy. Personally I am blessed with an amazing family, incredible friends and a life I am constantly thankful for. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of stress, disappointment or challenge.

I have spent more time at home in the last couple of months, renovating, cleaning, clearing out the old to make room for the new. I jokingly said the other day that I have gotten rid of so many old clothes and things that my neighbors must think I am secretly a hoarder! But it has felt great to clean out the closets, repaint the walls and bring in some beautiful new things.

Sometimes a “radical reappraisal” is just what’s needed. Sometimes I think it’s really important to stop and think about all the things that matter to us, the people, the places, the things we devote our time to.

It’s amazing how quickly time can fly when it comes to such things. And it’s amazing how much we can take for granted that things are “just the way they are.” I have really made a commitment to change things for the better this year, and I feel it happening already.

Thank you so much to all of you who visit regularly and say such nice things about our store and our family. Running a small, independent business is a challenge and a joy that is hard to describe. I am so grateful for all the kind words so many of you share when you visit with us. It helps me to know where we are on the right track, and where we can improve.

We have brought in so many new lines this year already, and the response has been great. Our online store has been amazing, and our First Friday Artwalk events have been busier than ever. Thank you so much to all of you who make that happen!

I think taking the time to consider what is working for us and what isn’t can be very healing, on many levels. I just wanted to take the time to share how thankful I am to all of our customers and friends, and my family as well, for all the things that are going well!

It’s so easy to get side-tracked by the stressful scenarios, people or situations that we all have to deal with at times. I encourage anyone reading this to turn off the news, listen to some good music, clean out a closet or two, and think about all the things you are truly thankful for. Then get out and enjoy life a little! Don’t let the news of the larger world distract you from the joy in your own life. There will always be dramatic scenarios going on in the world, but it’s the moments in your own life that really matter at the end of the day.

Take the time to celebrate and cherish the people who you interact with on a daily basis. Give yourself a break for the things you haven’t accomplished yet, you have time. And take a moment to tell someone in your life that you are thankful for them.

I am thankful to all of you who have been our friends and supporters as we have changed and grown over the years, and I am thankful to all the new friends and customers that I am just getting to know.

I love that we are a small business, and that we can personally take the time to make things right, and respond quickly to our customers needs. I am often asked why we don’t franchise or open other locations, but that is why. I like knowing many of you personally, having the time to spend with you when you come in, or write to you when you email. In our culture, there is always the pressure to grow and expand, but I think there is something unique and wonderful about small businesses.

It also helps us to keep a balance, and to stay focused on what really matters, those important and meaningful relationships with our friends, family and customers. Cheers to all our friends, old and new. Thank you for your loyalty and friendship!